| Hostels
Posted: 4/28/2009 10:39:54 PM | | I'd be curious to know how many on this board use hostels when they travel. Where have you been, and what experiences have you had? The New York Times said that hostels have gained a lot of popularity in the past year, and I'm sure the economic downturn has a lot to do with this. | |
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Posted: 4/28/2009 10:49:56 PM | go the hostels man .tho its been a long time since ive used them i enjoyed the experience.
you will meet some great people and most likely gain useful info for the next part of your trip.
youth hostel asso was the one i used.in Aussie they are all over .
enjoy. | |
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Posted: 4/30/2009 10:13:50 PM | I traveled throughout Europe and Egypt for the best part of last year and stayed in many hostels. It's a great way to meet people as well as save money. I did stay in some hotels along the way however, I find them insular meaning they're not connected to much other than a location. Hostels have a different atmosphere and you get to meet people from all over the world; the environment is conducive to this.
If you plan on staying in a hostel, do a little research first (hostelworld.com is a good starting place) and read reviews, ratings and up to date comments. It's very easy to book them online. Once you start traveling, you'll be able to talk to others and get their recommendations as to the best places to stay. I ended up staying in some amazing hostels...they were more like old castles and mansions...just beautiful. I highly recommend them.
*: ) | |
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Posted: 5/2/2009 6:56:14 AM | I think most folks would stay at one because the price is much less than a private room in a motel. While this may be true, very often a cheap motel is a better deal than staying at a hostel. I used to have no problem sharing a dorm style room with six other people I may not know but recently I have become more concerned about hygiene. A few I have been to in the past left a lot to be desired cleanliness wise. I'm not trying to be Felix Unger but bacteria like MRSA, not to mention bed bugs are easily spread in places like a hostel. Indeed bed bugs have been found in four star hotels but it's just not as likely. It's always been a reality in those kinds of living situations but now that I'm older I take it more seriously. Even in a cheap hotel I have more control over the hygiene of the place. I always take anti-bacterial wipes to clean surfaces in a hotel/motel room. May sound radical to some but you have no idea who last inhabited your room or if the housekeeper did much more than empty the trash.
Hostels are still a great place to meet fellow travellers but it doesn't mean you have to stay there. | |
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Posted: 5/2/2009 10:56:52 AM | | I've stayed in a few hostels, and found you really have to do your research first. There was one I stayed in while in Ireland, and I refused to use the showers they were so dirty. The doors had no door knobs at all so any security was non-existent, except for on the front door, which had an access code they had changed while I was gone for the day. Very poorly run. Most places were pretty good, though, but some were better at controlling the 'inmates'. One place I stayed in was newly opened, and they had no staff at the desk overnight so some residents took that to mean they could do what they wanted all night, and they did, keeping the whole place awake despite the number of people who yelled at them to shut up. Some places provide breakfast, but if you don't get up early enough you will be out of luck, and some places require you to book a spot the night before. As a previous poster mentioned, you can check the ratings for a lot of hostels on-line, but I don't think Hostelworld includes the many independant hostels that are very nice. Books like Lonely Planet can be helpful, but keep in mind that their recommendations can be out of date by the time the book hits the book store. The Thorn Tree Forums on the Lonely Planet web site can be a great place to get up to date information from other travelers. When booking on line always print a copy of your booking, I found some places were great for saying, for example, they booked you into a room with a bathroom in the room, but after you check in you find this isn't so. Having the paperwork with you will help you if you want a room change. If you are travelling alone hostels or B&Bs are the way to go. You will meet the locals, and other travellers, and make many more friends. | |
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Posted: 5/3/2009 12:24:51 AM | While I did the hostel thing backpacking I found it's good to have your own sleeping bag and chuck that on the bed. Many hostels have single rooms and so if you dont want to share just book these ahead as you go, and also many hostels I found in Oz had a pick up service which was great. It is a good way to meet new people and get info on the local area as people tend to share by saying where to go, good places to eat etc. Once travelling this way you tend to find you come across the same people again in different areas. There does seem to be a feeling of people looking out for each other as well. | |
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Posted: 5/4/2009 5:52:20 PM | THANKS for trip down memory lane  My "honeymoon" was spent at hostels in Germany & France in 1958. I actually worked for the NYC AYH back then.
Oh yeah, the honeymoon......... I do remember an old castle with an outhouse that must have been from the dark-ages. Most of the other hostels were less memorable. They're fun for the youngsters on a budget but nowadays..... gimmee a Holiday Inn Express with a clean bathroom | |
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Posted: 5/5/2009 7:59:51 PM | | Ever tried hostels in the good ole' US of A? I loved the "Hostel in the Forest" in Brunswick, GA. The beds are in screened in treehouse structures. I plan on going back this year! | |
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Posted: 5/7/2009 10:45:06 AM | | Where the heck do you find out the location of hostles? There any good books about? Would love to travle through Usa and also Into Europe.... Just need some cash. Lol | |
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Posted: 5/7/2009 8:18:18 PM | | Try www.hostelworld.com | |
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Posted: 5/8/2009 3:52:32 AM | Or http://www.hostelbookers.com/
Hostels are awesome, great way to meet new weird and wonderful people. I always try to stay in one if I can. Essential item would have to be a pair of flip flops to wear around, especially in the showers! some can be rather horrid at times. But there are great sites as hoselworld and hostelbooker with reviews from lots of previous travellers, security can be an issue with a lot of people I thankfully haven't had any issues staying in hostels throughout my europe travels | |
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Posted: 5/21/2009 1:22:33 AM | Definitely used Hostels. I think the only place I used them in America was in Utah. But I stayed in one at Saint Petersburg. Shared a co-ed dorm-style room, but it was a bed, and that was all I cared about. I used to live in dorms, and usually I've always had roommates, so it doesn't bother me so much.
I've also couchsurfed. And I keep a copy of the Motel 6 Directory with my Road Atlas, just in case. And in some countries they also have guest houses, which are like cheap hotels.
Research if you can, and otherwise, just consider it adventure.  | |
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Posted: 5/21/2009 10:58:58 AM | | there are some hostels in NYC, Manhattan area that can be a gret bargain! especially if you aren't too paranoid about safety and sharing restrooms. But the one I know of needs you to be an international traveler not a resident! Weird but works some people... | |
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Posted: 5/22/2009 7:41:57 PM | | In the past year? Maybe in the US it's the "new craze"... Hostels have been a great choice for people on a budget for over two decades! I have been to over 60 countries and I have stayed in my fair share of dodgy places... but seriously, if you are thinking of doing the backpacking thing for more than a couple of weeks, staying in a hostel is the only way to go, in my books. Heck, I have even stayed in various hostels in Africa and for the most part, have had great experiences. You get to meet so many people and get invaluable travel tips from the people you meet. Anyway, if you leave the States, you'll see that hostels can help you stay within budget and meet people that may become some of your lifetime friends... I have stayed in touch with people that I met in hostels almost 10 years ago in New Zealand, Sweden, Mozambique, Madagascar, Ecuador, Thailand (and the list goes on...) I hope this helps ;) | |
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Posted: 5/22/2009 9:22:39 PM | Hostels are a great way to travel and meet people while you are traveling. For the most part you will meet some great people, and if you are traveling alone that can make or break a vacation. But, of course, there will be ***holes everywhere and you may meet some. If a hostel is crap do not be afraid to go to another in the area you are. Hostels.com is a good booking site and always read the reviews of the location, and the stats of the reviewer. A 18 yr old traveler will probably rate a place differently than a 36 yr old traveler.
Joe | |
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Posted: 5/22/2009 9:24:55 PM | Oh and as for where the hostels that I stayed in: Canada, USA, Mexico, Ireland, England, Holland, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Bahrain, and Egypt.
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Posted: 5/22/2009 9:28:56 PM | If you are adventurous and a cool person, you could also try couchsurfing.com. Its even cheaper!  | |
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Posted: 5/23/2009 6:27:50 AM | Hostels in the USA.....funny, I've never thought of same
Hostel in the Forest......Georgia....what a gorgeous state....On my way this FAll
Savannah being my favourite city, although I'm guilty of not knowing much other than Atlanta too
Thanks for the tip... | |
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Posted: 5/24/2009 11:49:32 AM | | My daughter worked for many years at YHA Euston Road, London. When I visited her I stayed there and it was quite lovely. If you are in Bath you have to stay at the YHA there...it's an old mansion that has been converted and you wouldn't believe the friezes and cornices! Best catch the bus up the hill though. It was wonderful, clean, really friendly people and it doesn't matter how old you are there is always someone there you can relate to and have a jaw with. It was quiet. Had a friend who worked in the one in Canterbury and it was great too....there's another at Beer...England is full of them. This friend also worked in a hostel in Australia...she said it was party central with it's own pub even...fun at first but loud and tiring if you were already knackered. Try 'em. | |
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Posted: 5/24/2009 2:28:36 PM | I can highly recommend the Lollipop Hostel in Maribor, Slovenia.  | |
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Posted: 5/25/2009 9:25:10 PM | | Hostels are the only way to go buddy. You meet so many cool people and everyone is friendly for the most part. Stayed in hostels all over the world and the people you meet are amazing. Give me a million bucks...and I'd still stay in hostels. | |
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Posted: 5/30/2009 10:05:53 PM | | hi.. many of the hostels in Hawaii were like B and Bs... for about 65 dollars you get a great room in the main house and breakfast is like potluck... the hostels there were ecclectic and near points of interest... you can also do work for trade travelling, you can yourself up practically anywhere and work to live free... blessings, warmly Mona | |
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Posted: 5/31/2009 5:53:39 PM | | I really looked into it and some sounded amazing,especially in Europe,where your in the prime neighborhoods and in ancient buildings.I'd do private room or twin and up to 4 people but never those dorms. | |
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Posted: 6/15/2009 10:10:40 PM | | i would recommend checking out the Hostels in Austrailia,Netherlands and Canada - lots of fun. i have seen a few that are trashy and dangerous but most are clean and safe. it is best to ask fellow travelers about the Hostels in the area you are heading to as fellow travelers are a great source of info when traveling. the International Youth Hostels are usually very nice and very safe places to stay and are actually for travelers of all ages.some hostels have private rooms,swimming pools and transportation services. and some hostels even rent bicycles and sports equiptment and offer discount ski lift tickets and tour discounts. | |
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Posted: 6/16/2009 7:45:48 AM | This is a great thread! I am traveling from Los Angeles through to Michigan. The couchsurfing sounds like an incredible option! If nothing else, but a way to meet locals. I am used to rough camping -- at least now I don't have to carry ammo and such. :)
hostelz.com is another source of hostels. | |
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