Most people I know would never consider staying in a hostel. I was that way as well. I equated hostel life with everything sketchy i.e. sharing a cramped, dirty, smelly room with strangers that were probably weirdos. Ha! What was I thinking? To be honest that can literally happen but with some research hopefully you can avoid those unfortunate circumstances.
My first foray into a hostel was in 2015, when my 16 year old daughter and I landed in Barcelona. An environment with a few young people around would be good for her/me. I looked at the Hostelworld app and methodically reviewed each property. Location✓ Best reviews✓ Facilities✓ Atmosphere✓
There was one property that looked good, Casa Gracia. Great reviews, modern and clean, great location. This hostel changed my mind about hostels. A couple had recently purchased the entire building and had a vision: ‘A cozy and inspiring hotel in the heart of Barcelona, where guests are our friends’. That’s what I’m taking about. I accept that invitation. The six floor Spanish modernist building has high ceilings and a huge staircase. I booked a private room with a bathroom and two beds and it was clean, modern and had the most amazing balcony overlooking Gracia. There were also social gatherings like Paella night. People were hanging out by the bar and lobby listening to music and exchanging info and stories. Even though we were only there a few days it was our home away from home. This will definitely do!
She wanted to die, but she also wanted to live in Paris – Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovery
This property opened my eyes to the possibility of solo travel. You can be independent and make your own plan but also have outlets to be social, to befriend people from around the world, to learn about other cultures, to explore the area with new friends, to be safe amongst like minded travelers and to discover the inside track and secret spots of the area.
As an only child, I love my alone time but as a solo traveler I often enjoy and appreciate being in a place with other travelers from around the world, young and old. When I feel social, I will hang out, get coffee, converse, sign up for activities, and talk about travel with my hostel mates. I have connected with dozens of people from around the world that I can keep in touch with or follow their journeys until our paths cross again.
The young people I meet (hello Gen Z) are amazing. They are brave, adventurous, proficient, efficient and they make it happen. They also are technological wizards and can find directions and information with a quick search. Google maps seem to be part of their circuit board and finding the best restaurant or the best anything is their specialty. They have zero limitations and will rent a scooter or a boat, have a mani and a massage, take a tour and go drinking at night. Sometimes it is also a mutual admiration society because they tell me they wish their parents would travel like I do! There are some kids who can hang out with anyone and some who would never…
Warning: Hostel life is not for everyone. I would skip them if you are high maintenance, cannot play well with others, are not flexible and cannot climb to the top of a bunk bed.
How to choose a hostel?
It is important to try and pick a hostel that alines with who you are. Here are a few things I look at to try to pick the best fit…
- To Party or Not? Some people just want a party and to socialize. A party hostel will post photos of throngs of young people and advertise drink nite, music nite etc. Also the reviews will tell you about the party atmosphere. If I see its a party hostel I will pass. If I read reviews and the young people do not like the atmosphere then I know it is not a party and more aligned with what I need. Quiet with opportunities to talk and get to know others.
- Location is key. If you have rented a car or there is public transportation close by location is not as important. In general I like to make it easy. Staying in a hostel that is close to the water or beach, right in the city, in a cool neighborhood etc., makes it a pleasure to explore.
- Read the reviews. They will tell you if the hostel is clean, if the staff is amazing or not, if the hostel is safe, is the hostel in a good location or is it hard to get to, do they have bikes or surfboard rentals, do they have good breakfast, if they have wifi etc.
- What is the vibe? Some hostels have gone above and beyond with interesting architecture, places that are modernized and remodeled, lots of light, helpful friendly staff, thought out layouts for eating or socialization, large rooms, comfy beds with plugs, shelves, lights, roomy storage, towels and locked rooms.
Ok so you’ve done your research and you go to check in and surprise! this is not what you expected. There are some hostels which will go above and beyond to create a family environment and are super helpful and friendly and they have great reviews but the facilities are run down, not clean etc. This happens and it can be frustrating. Sometimes after staying there you realize it is fun and who cares, other times it’s ‘dude get me outta here!’ One strategy when living the hostel life is to book only one night and then if you like it add nights accordingly. This has saved me but also backfired. When I landed in Cuenca, Ecuador on Halloween which is the biggest holiday of the year and tried to extend my stay it was a no go because the hostel was full. I luckily found a lovely albeit expensive boutique hotel and then rolled into a fabulous but quiet Airbnb for the last few nights. The key is being flexible and able to quickly change course like a boss!
the good
the bad
the ugly
Here are a few of the most amazing places I stayed and what made the experience so fabulous:
Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers-When I traveled to Johannesburg South Africa I stayed in the heart of Soweto, need i say more? This is an example of how a great hostel experience can transcend basic accommodations. Lebo’s provided cultural immersion and learning with biking tours through the township, tours of Mandela’s home, the Apartheid Museum, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, and eating a home cooked meal prepared at the hostel, that was so similar to Southern cooking in the US that I had an AHA moment – duh!
Chaing Mai- slept in a room with many bunk beds but the staff was so friendly and helpful that I was hardly at the hostel. They sent me to a fabulous cooking class that I took with several other people from the hostel. We walked to a local produce market which was vibrant and had so many novel types of fruits and vegetables that i had never seen. They also gave me info on the Elephant Nature Park one of the highlights of my travels.
Travellers House – Lisbon – this hostel is on a walking street blocks from the water and the Cais das Calunas, easy to walk to the Castel another great location. Here during the free breakfasts met many fellow travelers and spent time exploring the castle area, heading out to dinner and even an evening with several of us going out to drink and listening to the traditional music of Lisbon – Fado. Also went out to a club with new friends and did a graffiti walking tour.
Prison Hostel, Slovenia
Hostel Vienna
Cat Ba
Patagonia family style
Santiago hospitality and wine!
Sydney bondi beach
fiji manta island
Loud people – some travelers do not understand that they have roommates and come in all hours of the night, talk and laugh outloud, pack up and turn lights on at 5 am. Don’t do this bitches!!
The AC wars – it can be freezing or hot but no one can agree lol
Tulum – dreary dark little room
Luxor – Nobody home
Azerbaijan
San Pedro De AtaCama one of the staff was always cranky (no wonder she had to cook and clean!) so as if that was not unpleasant enough i walked in on her when she was looking in my lugguge ugh!
Brisbaine the room they tried to put me in was disgusting. people were living in there, it was stinky dirty sheets and there was clothes and junk every where. NO!
Himare the hostel owner was flirty and when I did not respond he copped an attitude BUBYE