Hostels vs. Hotels

Hostels vs. Hotels

by Rob Cottignies

Akureyri, Iceland

Mention the word 'hostel' and more people than you'd think will recall Eli Roth's forgettable 2005 film, Hostel. If you haven't seen it, two American males stay at a hostel in eastern Europe then get drugged, kidnapped, and tortured. Terrifying idea but it’s extremely unlikely that will happen to you. In the movie, it didn't even happen because they stayed in a hostel, so stop being foolish and have some great times staying in some great places.

So, what is a hostel?

A hostel is like the step between a college dorm and a hotel. Most rooms have bunkbeds, though many offer private lodging; there’s a kitchen where you can make your own food, or that of guests who’ve recently left; and you’ll likely have to share bathroom facilities with strangers.

To me, hotels are all pretty much the same. They’re certainly good for familiarity and privacy, but staying in a hostel will get you out of that dreaded “comfort zone”. Hostels are excellent forms of lodging which I wish I'd known about at a younger age.

Talkeetna, Alaska

Here are some positives and concerns about hostel life:

Positives

*Location. If you visit most major cities (with odd exceptions like New York), there will be hostels in or near the center of the city, close to pretty much anything you’ll want to do.

*Employees. Most hostels I've stayed in have been run by competent, interesting, English-speaking staffs. Many lay out pamphlets of places to visit and will show you exactly how to get wherever you want to go. Lots of employees are also travelers who want to share and listen to others' stories. In fact, hostels often employ travelers temporarily and provide lodging in exchange for work such as cleaning or laundry.

Hostel workers aren’t guides but they can certainly help you enjoy your trip, especially if you’re looking for non-touristy activities.

*Price. A dorm bed in a hostel is cheaper than a hotel room, period. Staying in many downtown hotels could cost you more than five times the price of a hostel. Also, hostel room prices usually don't change because of a weekend or holiday whereas many hotels charge more during these times.

*Socializing. I socialize best when thrown into a mix of people. For example, thirty minutes after arriving in Budapest, I was at a rooftop bar with a dozen strangers who were also staying at the hostel. Don't expect something like that every time, but whether you go alone or with a group, you can probably find people in hostels to do activities with. If not, the employees will point you toward kayaking, museum-hopping, bar-crawling, and whatever else you want to do.

*Self-reliance. Most hostels have kitchens, so check in, find a local grocery store, and return to make yourself a meal. Consider making extra to share with other travelers.

*Mystery. Every hostel has the same idea but is unique in presenting it. Some focus on art or music while others have bare walls. Some have many free showers while others have only a few you’ll have to pay for. Some are in buildings while others are in Volkswagen vans. For me, this sense of mystery adds to a trip. I could check in to a four-bed room that I'll share with one other person or a twelve-bed room that's full.

Some other hostel “mysteries” include: A full tour of the hostel or simply a few rules and directions to your room; access hours, which can be all day or only during certain times, so check and consider that before you book; and getting a free welcome drink and/or discount if the hostel has a bar. Hostel bars are great for meeting people before going out or after a long day of experiencing the area. You might also be assigned a bed, which could be near a window or not, top or bottom bunk, next to a friend or across the room. Or maybe you’ll be able to choose whichever bed you’d like. Possibilities!

TO BE FAIR…

Concerns

*Security. Sharing a bedroom with strangers seems daunting and I was nervous at first but it really is not a big deal. Most people stay in hostels to be near activities and save money, like you'd be doing. It's highly unlikely that anything of yours would get stolen unless you flaunt it or leave it in a common area. If you have anything valuable, many hostels have lockers so bring along a padlock and you can guarantee the safety of your belongings.

*Sleep quality. Sleeping in hostels can be an issue for people, as it has been for me. Inconsiderate people are everywhere. Hostels have quiet hours, but that doesn’t stop some folks from talking loudly, playing music, going in and out of the room at all hours, etc. It can't really be helped and usually isn't worth risking a fight so your best bet is to put in some earplugs and roll over.

Also, sometimes beds are small or less-than-comfortable so use clothes as padding or whatever else might help.

If you're really concerned about sharing a room, many hostels have rooms with few beds or even one, though prices often increase as the rooms get smaller.

*Sharing a bathroom with strangers. Alright, this is a turn-off. Waiting to relieve yourself or shower can certainly get annoying. But most hostels with competent staff will have clean bathrooms so get up a little earlier or time your shower for the middle of the day if you can.

…

When planning a trip, I usually go to hostelworld.com and choose a hostel in my desired location that has a rating of 80% or above. Some hostels have a maximum age limit but that practice has gotten rarer. I've never had a negative hostelling experience, though a close friend did get urinated on while sleeping so don't think it's all roses. But that was one instance of a drunk person being an idiot and not the hostel's fault. And now it's a funny story!

If you want to see the world and save money so you can spend it on fun activities, hostels are the way to go. You may not make life-long friends, but at least one memorable (good or bad) person will likely be staying there as well. Settle in, say hello, and go explore!

Stockholm, Sweden