The Top 5 Myths About Hostels

When you’re planning a vacation, your budget can be quickly eaten up by hotel charges. And while staying in a luxurious hotel might be part of the appeal of your getaway — who doesn’t love room service and a comfy, oversized bed? — if you’re headed to a destination with tons to do outside of the hotel, staying in a hostel might be a more affordable option.

Before you cringe and dismiss hostels for being dirty or filled with partying college kids, consider whether you’ve fallen prey to one of these common myths.

The Crowd Is…Unusual

When you think of hostels, you might imagine a raucous party house packed with poor college students, or hippie-like travelers avoiding adult responsibility. While you will certainly find a younger skewing crowd in many hostels — and a few unusual characters — the demographic of hostellers is changing. According to recent surveys, about 80 percent of those who stay in hostels are in their 20s, but hostels are reporting an increase in families and seniors reserving beds in the inexpensive accommodations.

Regardless of their ages, the people you meet when staying in a hostel are one reason some people choose these accommodations. When you’re sharing quarters with half a dozen other travelers from around the world, you have an opportunity to make new friends, experience new perspectives and get recommendations on everything from the best place for cheap eats to an attraction you may have overlooked. Take advantage of this opportunity — your bunkmate could wind up being a lifelong friend.

Hostels Are a Magnet for Thieves

First, the bad news: There have been reports of thefts in hostels. The good news? With the proper precautions, your personal belongings are no more at risk than they would be in a hotel. Most hostels offer secure storage for personal items, but it’s up to you to keep important items like your passport and money secure. Keep your documents with you at all times; wear a money belt while you sleep so you’ll wake up if someone tries to help themselves. Leave the valuables at home and if you ever feel uncomfortable, ask for a different room or move to a different hostel or hotel. In most cases, you’ll be perfectly safe and secure among other travelers who are concerned about protecting their personal property, too.

You Have to Share a Room with Strangers

In a traditional hostel you stay in a dorm-like room, usually sleeping in a bunk bed in a space shared with up to 20 other people. For less than $20 a night, it’s unreasonable to expect much more than that. However, as the idea of hosteling gains traction among American travelers, more hostels are offering private or semi-private accommodations. For example, you might find some hostels that are more like hotels, with a private bedroom that sleeps up to six and an en-suite bathroom. Private rooms cost more, but are still more affordable than a traditional hotel.

You Just Show Up and Sleep

There’s a certain romance to the notion of arriving in a foreign city and wandering around wide-eyed in search of a place to rest your head. While you might get lucky, that approach is likely to land you in a sketchy spot –or without a bed at all.

Many hostels, especially in popular cities and during peak travel times fill up quickly. In addition, in some areas hostels are located in out-of-the-way areas, so unless you know where you’re going, you could end up wandering in circles trying to find your bunk. You are better off to reserve a spot before you head out. By reserving ahead of time, you can find a hostel that meets your needs and guarantee you will get the type of room or bed you need, such as a family room. You can also pay in advance to secure your room; if you have an unpaid reservation and don’t show up on time, the hostel might give away your room.

Hostels Don’t Offer Amenities

Think the hostel is just a dorm, with room after room of bunk beds and 1970s décor? Think again! While some hostels are less modern than others, many hostels have added amenities to attract more travelers. You might find properties with swimming pools, common areas with game systems or Wi-Fi and even unexpected treats, like bowling alleys or coffee shops.

Hosteling isn’t for everyone, but giving up 600-thread count sheets and room service might be the best way for you to enjoy a vacation without breaking the bank.

About the Author: After college, Hope Gutradt spent two months exploring Europe and staying in hostels in several major cities.Now a freelance writer, she’s an expat in Brussels. If you’re headed to her city any time soon, she recommends you click here for Brussels hostels.

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