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To put this bluntly, I have stayed in some horrendous hostels. Mostly they were cheap, dirty, and the last options in a city, within my budget. I do believe that they were character-building building, and I am grateful for these experiences, as ultimately they made me a more confident traveller.
I’ll give you a very quick example: I booked my first solo trip to Budapest aged 17, and was on an absolute shoe-string. I was trying to stay a week for £200, flights, accommodation, experiences, and food included. I managed it, but it was pretty hectic. I landed in the middle of the night, had pre-booked a taxi to the city because there was no public transport running, and was greeted by a woman in a tiny dress holding a sign with my name on it. Alarm bells were going off, but it was, I thought, ‘for the plot.’ Also I had literally no other options as it was about three am and the airport is a fair way from the city. She took me to an unmarked, slightly bashed-up car, and I obviously got in it (because I am stupid. Don’t tell my mum). I remember speeding on the motor way and just making peace with this might just be how I die. I have since realised that actually taxi drivers in foreign countries do just drive fast.
I had pre-booked the cheapest hostel possible, and the taxi took me to it (luckily), but as I got to the front door and rang the bell, a man came out and told me it was full. I was like, “ok what are my options, it’s half past three in the morning, and I’ve already payed to stay here?” After some awkward haggling (I was tired and cross), he took me to another ‘hostel,’ in an apartment block. We went up what felt like twenty flights of stairs, and came to a flat where there was a woman, a ginormous white husky-type dog, and a man watching the TV.
There was a bunk bed in the bedroom, and in the morning I got up and found the woman just staring at the city with her b00bs out. I’m all for free the nip, but it has to be said that I had very weird vibes from this place. I remember wondering if all hostels were like this. They are not. So, if you do not want to get abandoned in the middle of the night, in a city you have never been to, I recommend that you read this guide!
When I first birth the idea of an adventure, the accommodation is not my priority. I have been all over the world, and to be honest I am super last minute with how I organise things. I like my trips to be fluid and flexible, and so it is important to me that I am not tied into any locations, or any pre-paid accommodation types, as I am usually travelling medium-shoestring, and really hate wasting money. I get a bit crazy about it, especially if I’m unemployed and on a longer trip. A tenner might literally fund an entire day of travelling in the right country.
When I am going for a shorter solo-break, to a location that I might be staying in for a few days, or over a week, I do like to make sure that I will be comfy, and that the place I will be staying has lots of opportunities to meet good people, eat good food, see amazing things, and categorically does not have bed bugs.
So I get it – finding the perfect hostel is tricky (and not always possible), and to be honest you may never know if you have found the perfect one, but choosing a safe, clean, vibrant hostel, in a good location should definitely be your priority. It can completely change your perspective of a trip, and if the cost is only a few pounds more between average and incredible, it is well worth taking the time to read a few reviews to make sure it aligns with your personal preferences.
So, let’s get into it.
Location:
First things first, location matters. Pick a hostel in a safe and vibrant location. There are a few different criteria that you might want to consider. Do you want a hostel in the jungle, or by the sea, or in a city? Think about ‘the where,’ and then start to narrow it down.
What vibes are you going for?
Hostels have personalities, just like people. Do you want it to be a big hostel with massive parties, or do you want it to be a quiet yoga retreat situation, or do you want one which feels like stepping into a family you didn’t know you had?
Consider what you want, and what you will be comfortable with. If you’re going to be cross that you cant go to sleep at 22:30, because there is a party downstairs that you know you are not going to want to join, check the reviews and do not book that one. Choose instead one that highlights ‘respectable sleep times,’ or maybe has an emphasis on externally organised fun, that takes people out into the surrounding bars, taking the noise with them.
The bare necessities
Again this slightly depends on what type your trip is, and your reasons for going, but here are some of the things that I like all of my hostels to have.
Must-haves: good free Wi-Fi (safety, and entertainment), lockers (ALWAYS pack a padlock, they are not often provided), and a kitchen for preparing cheap meals. I’d say that 60% of my social interactions when staying at hostels come from chatting with people in the kitchen, whilst I am waiting for the kettle to boil! I’ve literally had some of the best nights out of my life because I got brave and chatted to people in the kitchen. Once they find out I’m a solo traveller they sort of adopt me, and off we go to have fun. It’s happened numerous times and I love these memories so much.
The beds…
You usually have three choices: single sex dorm, mixed dorm, or private room. If you’re on a shoestring budget, solo, and love meeting new people, I’d recommend going for a dorm. Need your own space? Go for a private room.
Personally I always go for a mixed dorm, because I think I’ll have more of a chance of meeting fun people. However, if I am travelling for a while, I like to have a private room once a month-or-so, so I can unwind, and let my social battery recharge. Because trust me, after 621839 times of saying, “where are you from?” and answering it, you will get a bit drained.
I would always recommend carrying a sarong, or microfibre towel, so that you can hang it from the top bunk, and make a little curtain. And always carry earplugs, I love the silicone ones. Someone will be a snorer – I promise.
Cleanliness
This again depends a bit on personal preferences, you can get a sleeping bag liner to get in if you want to. They are super lightweight, and prevent you from touching the actual bed. I think most travellers respect cleanliness rules, and most hostels have cleaners. However always check the reviews for bedbugs, and smells – blocked drains can be recurrent and are really grim.
It’s also worth mentioning that some of the best hostels don’t actually have clinical cleanliness. Oftentimes the jungle ones are impossible to keep completely clean, and there will be insects… because you’re in a jungle…
Be safe
Safety is non-negotiable. Make sure your hostel has lockers, well-lit areas, and a proper entry system. If you feel like you could break in, it is not safe enough. I like the main door to be lockable (automattic preferably), the bedroom to have a key, and there to be someone on front desk. These are not non-negotiables for me, as sometimes the hostel is in a super safe area and the culture is very easy-going. Beach hostels especially tend to be pretty loose. However, city hostels have to have these precautions in place for me.
Cost and Comparison
Hostels are usually budget-friendly, but it pays to compare prices. My favourite websites are booking.com, hostelworld.com, and hostelz.com. Once you have found the hostel you like, make sure to check the prices across at least two, but preferably all three (they will be different!), and book with one that will grant you rewards for loyalty. I am a “Level 3 Genius” on booking.com so now almost all of my stays come with 10% off, and a free breakfast! Little wins. Also, keep an eye out for discounts and promos. Life’s unpredictable, so try to look for hostels with flexible booking options.
Inside Info
Social media groups and forums like Reddit’s r/travel, and heaps of Facebook groups can give you great inside information and recommendations. Or if you know someone who has been somewhere, ask them, I am sure they’ll be happy to help you.
I hope that this has given you some insight to the ins and outs of finding a hostel that’ll suit you. I have had some of the absolute best times of my life in hostels, and would choose them any day of the week over hotels, because meeting new people is one of life’s greatest joys. Good people are out there, you just gotta find them!
Sending a hug,
Rhianna ❤
Rhianna's World 