Junky hostels a thing of the past? As more people get hip to the benefits of hostelling, making same-day hostel reservations may be a thing of the past.Who hasn’t had visions of backpacking across ‘insert exotic country here’? This idea of traveling on a budget has inspired thousands of hostels to open up shop throughout the world; and for good reason. Budget travelers have found that hostels are an inexpensive way to stay in the heart of the city for minimal dough. And although hostels have their drawbacks, most wax poetic about the social atmosphere and meeting people from countries you’ve never heard of. Just because the world is small, doesn’t mean you have to sleep in a cardboard box to see it. And with the inundation of baby boomer travelers, youth hostels are rethinking their amenities… big time.
Hostels, also known as youth hostels or backpacking, are a budget traveler’s dream. Youth hostels can run anywhere from $8 a night, all the way to $75 for a double private room. If you find a hostel charging more than this, you’re better off checking into a
hotel. Hostels range from campsites, dorm-style bunk beds packed 20 deep to private family rooms with dedicated bathroom. Every hostel has a personality all its own, including fortressed castles, dock-side boats, centuries-old buildings and even antiquated prisons.
As every hostel has its own distinct personality, each also has its own set of rules. This is very important when making reservations. Issues like smoking vs. non, curfews, age restrictions, daytime lockout hours, early check-out and linen/towel rentals can add up to extra costs if you’re not looking. Like any accommodation, it’s important to vet out your potential hostel before making a reservation. And if you can’t find enough hostel intel, ask to check out the digs when you arrive, and before you pay. It’s harder to get a refund after you’ve checked in.
Hostelling International (HI) is a non-profit organization of over 4500 youth hostels around the globe. Their role is to certify hostels to their organizations based on their strict standards. You can purchase a membership to HI that offers discounts, frequent traveler points, rail passes and more. Now, you don’t have to be a member of HI to book a hostel on their site, but you’ll get a better price if you do. The membership fee should pay for itself pretty quickly.
Hostel must-haves can vary depending on where you choose to stay. We recommend that you bring a padlock, flip flops (shower insurance), travel alarm clock, a set of utensils, towel and change for coin operated lockers and/or vending machines. You may want to bring a set of sheets if you have the room, although some hostels may not allow you to use them. Plus, bring your open mind. If you don’t like cramped spaces with people you don’t know snoring or flipping on the lights in the middle of the night, hostelling may not be for you. But if you do like meeting people from all walks of life, a hostel can brighten your travel experience tenfold.
Because hostelling has become so popular in recent years, older travelers are following suit. Baby boomers are opting to relive their youth by backpacking their way across several continents. This draw has prompted hostels to upgrade to wireless internet, flat screen TVs and pool tables in the common rooms, and even adjoining restaurants and bars. Fab amenities like these are even giving rise to “boutique” hostels, looking to compete with their hotel counterparts as a hip travel destination. Of course, you’d better book well before you get there to take advantage of these incredible perks.
