Most people I know would never consider staying in a hostel. I shared that opinion. 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 may happen, and it has even with me, but I am here to show you that with some research and planning 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. Google maps seem to be part of their circuit board. They do not get lost and always go the correct way when following gps. They will look up ‘the best’ of anything in a second, like finding the best restaurant or happening night life. 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 between me and my young friends. Some have said that they wish their parents would travel like I do! I will take it. Just know that there are some young humans who can hang out with anyone and seem mature and worldly and some who would never… do not take that personally.
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.
What about Hotels and Airbnb's?
Hotels can be amazing. They also can be basic and boring. Many hotels are standardized and staying in an American hotel chain you will not get any of the culture of the place that you are in. Also unless there is a concierge you may not get the information you need on where to go and what to do. Those insider tips that make exploring a new place exciting.
Airbnb’s are usually my last choice when I travel to an exotic place. Why? because as a traveler to a new place I like talking to someone about the area, the restaurants, the activities etc. I find airbnb’s to be very quiet and lonely. If I were to stay for a month and/or if it was located in a great neighborhood airbnb would be the call.
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!
And another idea for researching unusual, exceptional award winning hostels is to check out Europe’s Famous Hostels an association of hostels more concerned with providing the best experience then selling beds. They also have awards for the best of the best. Think unique design, great activities, perfect location etc. And for properties around the world Hostelworld also has it’s own awards recognizing the top hostels. Best Solo, Most Improved, Most Popular, Best Small you get the idea.
the good
the bad
the ugly
What makes hostels memorable? Here are a few of my memorable hostel stays…
In Johannesburg I stayed in the heart of Soweto and the hostel provided cultural immersion and learning, biking tours through the township, local food tasting, tours of Mandela’s home, the Apartheid Museum, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, and a home cooked African meal prepared at the hostel. Biggest aha moment: Southern cooking in the United States is South African food. In Chaing Mai I 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 Thai cooking class where I met several other people from the hostel. We walked to a local produce market which was vibrant and had many 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. In Lisbon – the hostel I stayed 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. One of the ‘Best Hostels in Europe’ I stayed in the Prison Hostel, Slovenia. A design marvel they transformed an old prison into a clean modern hostel with a bar and restaurant. My Patagonia hostel was run by a couple and their son. The family hospitality and meals were comforting. In Santiago our host turned his home into a hostel and the hospitality and wine gatherings made everyone feel welcome. In my Sydney hostel I walked across the street to Bondi beach and around the corner for local’s coffee. Kilimanjaro my homestay was a home and hospitality education for young local girls who gave a performance at the end of my stay.
Sometimes what makes a hostel ‘bad’ is not about the hostel but its about the people in it. Conversely the people can make a hostel experience great.
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. I was literally the only guest. That was not fun.
Azerbaijan – simple lack of towels and showers.
Homestay in the middle of nowhere. Unless you are prepared it takes some independence to stay busy.
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
Albania – hostel had a basement game/party room and in the middle of the night a wasted stranger tried to get into my bed.
Hostel vs. Homestay: Which “Local” Experience is Right for You?
When you’re planning a deep dive into a new country, where you lay your head at night dictates the rhythm of your entire trip. On one hand, you have the high-energy, community-driven hostel. On the other, the quiet, deeply personal homestay. Both offer a front-row seat to local life, but they serve very different travel souls. Here is how to choose.
The Hostel: The Social Hub
Hostels have evolved far beyond the “backpacker bunkhouse.” Today, they are the heartbeat of the solo traveler’s world.
- Some are high-energy and serendipitous. You aren’t just renting a bed; you’re able to participate in many activities and tours, joining a temporary tribe.
- Best for Solo travelers looking to connect with people from around the world, digital nomads and anyone wanting organized local tours (like street food crawls or pub treks).
- Most modern hostels have communal kitchens.
- Privacy is a premium. Well designed bunks help and travelers are mostly not milling about during the day. Every one is usually busy.
The Homestay: The Cultural Immersion
A homestay is an invitation into someone’s home. You get first row into a new culture.
- Intimate, quiet, and educational. You’ll see how a family starts their day, what they eat for breakfast, and how they interact with their neighbors.
Best for travelers who want to practice the local language, those who prefer home-cooked meals over restaurant dining, and anyone looking for a “home base” that feels like a real home.
Your host is the ultimate local guide. They won’t point you to the TripAdvisor “Top 10”; they’ll tell you which bakery has the best bread and which bus route actually has the best views.
You have to be mindful of house rules and cultural etiquette. It’s less about “doing your own thing” and more about blending in.
Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Hostel | Homestay |
| Primary Social Life | With other international travelers. | With a local family. |
| Privacy Level | Low to Moderate (Shared common areas). | High (Usually a private room in a home). |
| Meals | Communal kitchen or hostel bar/cafe. | Often includes authentic, home-cooked meals. |
| Best Asset | Serendipity and meeting new friends. | Deep cultural nuance and local wisdom. |
| Clean Living | Variable; depends on the hostel’s “green” policy. | High; usually as clean as the family keeps their home. |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a Hostel if… you’re feeling social, want to find a group to hike with tomorrow, and love the “buzz” of a common room filled with stories from five different continents.
Choose a Homestay if… you want to understand the soul of a place. If you’d rather spend your evening sipping tea and learning local idioms than drinking at a hostel bar, the homestay is your sanctuary.
The Worldly Travels Tip: On a long trip, Spend four days in a social hostel to get your energy up, then move to a homestay for a week of quiet immersion and local connection.