Picking the right hostel
Typically when planning a vacation, lodging can get expensive. Oftentimes it can become the biggest expense of the trip, especially when you're planning on staying for longer than a week.
That's where hostels come in.
Although not very prevalent in the United States, hostels have been offering inexpensive, no-frills lodging in Europe and South America for over a century.
There are a lot of important factors to look for when choosing the best one and if you follow the tips below, you should have an easier time finding the best hostel for you.
1. Don't wait until the last minute
Hostels are a popular place to stay among people who are backpacking. Backpackers tend to be more spontaneous when it comes to trip planning and knowing one's next destination could be something that is decided on at the last minute. As such, many backpackers decide to arrive at their next destination and just look for the first place that has room for them. This is a great way to end up in a bad hostel.
Even if you pick your next destination the night before, I highly recommend that you check out websites like Hostel World, Hostel Bookers, and Hostels.com to research hostels in the area you're going to. This will at the very least give you a sense of direction as to where you should go when arriving in a new town or you could even book your hostel ahead so you can make sure to stay at one you really like.
Also, be sure to read other people's reviews, there's only so much that can be conveyed by a star rating system so reviews give a better idea as to what you can expect from each hostel.
2. Are you looking for fun or sleep?
Hostels are usually occupied by young people, especially college-aged backpackers looking to have fun. A lot of hostels cater to that demand and create a laissez faire atmosphere where people can have a good time, drink, eat, party, hook up, etc.
On the other hand, if you don't really like to party or just want a place to have quiet's night sleep, read the online reviews on the aforementioned websites to see which hostels are considered "party hostels."
By being properly informed you'll know which hostel to gravitate towards or to avoid completely.
3. Privacy costs money
My private room at the hostel: Backpackers Los Pinos in Baños, Ecuador
The primary way that hostels can offer cheap lodging is through room sharing. Unlike hotels where one typically rents an entire room, hostels offer beds in a dormitory setting. This of course means that you will probably be sleeping next to strangers.
Examples of rates at a hostel I stayed in in Ecuador
Some hostels offer dorms of different sizes such as 4-, 6-, 8-, or up to 12-person dorms with prices becoming significantly cheaper per person as the dorm gets larger. Therefore, the more people you're willing to sleep around, the more money you will save.
If the idea of sleeping around strangers makes you feel uncomfortable, or if you just really value your privacy, some hostels do offer private rooms.
In my experience, private rooms cost just as much as paying for two beds in any other room. This makes a private room ideal for couples traveling together.
4. Check the amenities
Amenities, or rather the lack thereof, is another reason hostels are much cheaper than hotels. Beyond having shared rooms, dorms in hostels typically also lack TVs, kitchenettes, mini-fridges, or most other in-room luxuries that can usually found in the average hotel room.
Instead, most hostels have a communal living area where one can find a TV, kitchen, dining area, a small bar, and maybe something like a pool or foosball table to help pass the time.
If you plan on renting a bed in a shared room, private lockers are a must. Although it would be nice to trust everyone, this is simply not realistic and leaving your valuables around strangers who can come and go freely is a great way to get your stuff stolen.
A lot of amenities that used to be considered "luxurious" are now becoming the standard among hostels. Free Wi-Fi is almost universal and many hostels even have computers in the main social area. Several hostels also offer their guests services such as laundry and meals at an additional cost. If you've been on the road for a while and your clothes could use some refreshing, this may be something to considering when searching for a hostel.
5. Location! Location! Location!
Location is definitely something to think about when choosing the right hostel. Hostels closer to the city center or major attractions tend to be more pricey than those further away. However, if you plan to spend a lot of time near these aforementioned areas anyways, the extra cost may pay for itself as you save money on transportation and will offer you more time to see and do what you want.
If you do decide to save money and choose a hostel further away from the city center, make sure to check that the hostel is near different modes of public transportation. When traveling on a budget for extended periods of time, the last thing you want is to waste money on a taxi.
6. Bring the hostel essentials
Since you are going to be sharing a room with multiple people (often times strangers), there are a few important items you should bring with you.
Ear plugs and an eye mask:
With no designated "bed time" for guests, people tend to come and go from dorms at all hours of the night. This could make sleeping difficult as people make noise or turn on the light in the middle of the night. To combat this, make sure to have ear plugs and and eye mask to help you sleep through any late-night movement from your dorm mates.
Do keep in mind this will make waking up to an alarm significantly more difficult.
Sturdy lock:
As mentioned earlier, a locker is crucial in a shared dorm in order to keep your valuables safe. Although it is common place for hostels to have lockers available for guests, they typically do not provide locks for them so make sure to have one on hand just in case. Make sure the lock is sturdy enough to withstand moderate tampering and maybe consider bringing a smaller one for your bag.
Microfiber towel
Many hostels don't provide towels for guests so make sure to bring your own. Traditional towels are large and bulky so they tend to take up a lot of room in your bag. A solution to this problem is a microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are thin, lightweight, and can be compressed down to a very small size. Despite this, microfiber towels are extremely absorbent and dry off very quickly so they make ideal travel towels for backpackers and hostel guests.
Protection
Much like the Olympic Village, hostels are a tight-quartered area full of sexually active, often single, young adults. This makes hostels notorious for their hook ups and one-night-stands, so unless you're in a monogamous relationship and have absolutely no intention of sleeping with someone you meet at your hostel, make sure to bring some protection to keep yourself safe from any STIs or unwanted pregnancies.