This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Emma Zumbo. Find her on Instagram at @emmarzumbo. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Ah, summer. That time of year when days get longer and sweatier, when ice cream and Aperol Spritzes take their rightful place at the top of the food pyramid, and when many people try to squeeze in some hard earned travel time. Whether your Europe trip has finally made it out of the group chat or whether you’re planning to set off on a solo adventure through South America or Southeast Asia, if you’re planning to travel this summer, you might be looking for ways to save some money on your trip. And if that’s the case, you’re likely asking yourself a question that often pops up when planning for a trip: “hostel vs hotel”?
As someone who has traveled extensively both alone and with friends, and who has stayed in all types of accommodations, I think hostels are a great way to both save some money and make unique memories while traveling. Still, if you’re planning to stay in one for the first time this summer, you might understandably be a little apprehensive or unsure about what to expect.
Still debating? Let’s take a closer look at what makes hostels unique and why you should consider booking one for your upcoming summer trip.
What Is A Hostel? Why Stay In One?
No two hostels are exactly the same, but, generally speaking, a hostel is a type of accommodation that features some kind of communal living arrangement. Most hostels offer a mix of shared dormitories and private rooms and usually also include shared bathrooms, a communal kitchen, and various common areas perfect for meeting other travelers. Hostels are geared towards more budget-conscious travelers, and they are known to draw a diverse crowd, with everyone from teenagers on gap years to seasoned travel bloggers choosing to take advantage of their varied amenities and competitive price point. While traditionally known as the accommodation of choice for adventurous backpackers, and while your parents might only associate them with their grungy 90s reputation, recent years have also seen a rise of more boutique and design-forward hostels. Now more than ever, hostels can accommodate any travel want or need.
But why stay in one over a hotel or vacation rental? Besides the obvious affordability answer, hostels come with the benefit of being a truly social travel experience. They often offer free group activities and events, and the common areas and dorms are a great way to meet others, especially if you’re solo traveling. Staying in a hostel offers the opportunity to make new friends from all over the world, and is a great way to turn your accommodation into one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
So, if you’re now ready to book that bunk bed and experience everything that hostels can offer this summer, read below for some tips on how to make the most of your first hostel stay.
Do Your Research
Hostels can vary greatly in style, amenities, and price. They can range from the basic and bare-bones to the extravagant and luxurious, and can be geared towards anyone from partiers to digital nomads to families. Picking the right hostel for you is important, and I would suggest starting by deciding what kind of experience you’re looking for – Are you prioritizing location? Budget? Social offerings? Will you need a private room or female only dorm? Do you simply want a place to lay your head at night, or do you plan to spend time working and cooking your own meals while traveling? Do you care if your hostel looks like something out of a design magazine, or will you be satisfied with a simple clean room? After you have an idea of what you’re looking for, it’s time to scour your old friend the internet for some options. A few websites I recommend with which to start your search are Hostelworld, Nomadic Matt, and The Broke Backpacker, and there’s also usually no shortage of content on TikTok and Instagram that offers a look at hostels in popular travel destinations.
Definitely read the reviews and always filter them so you can see the newest ones first (that way, if there’s a recent issue with the hostel like bed bugs or ongoing construction, you’ll know about it right away), but remember to take them with a grain of salt – understand that different travelers have different needs and expectations and that a deal breaker for someone else might not necessarily mean the same for you (and vice versa). Take a look at recent traveler photos to get a sense of what the rooms and bathrooms actually look like when in use (pro tip: beds with curtains around them make a huge difference when staying in dorms), and check the hostel’s Instagram to make sure that they have active social offerings. Ultimately, your trip should be something you’re looking forward to, so just try to pick a place that you’re excited about – if you’re counting down the days until you check in, chances are you’ll have a good time no matter what.
Bring Essentials
There are a few items that I would definitely include on your packing list in order to make your hostel stay more comfortable, including: flip flops for showering and walking around the common areas, earplugs and an eye mask in case of noisy roommates or extra light sources, your own padlock for storing your bag in a locker while you’re out for the day (most hostels include lockers in every dorm room), a quick dry towel, a portable shower caddy for your toiletries, and travel size soap and shampoo. Coming prepared with these essentials is sure to make your stay even easier, but don’t stress if you happen to forget a few things, since it’s likely that the hostel will be able to loan you or sell you whatever it is that you need.
Follow Hostel Etiquette
Hostels are a more public and shared experience than other travel accommodations, so it’s important to be respectful and mindful of your fellow travelers. If you’re staying in a shared dorm, observe some basic rules of common hostel courtesy: introduce yourself to your roommates if you see them, don’t turn on the room lights in the middle of the night, don’t hog the bathroom when getting ready, don’t scatter your things everywhere, and, if you’re arriving or leaving early in the morning or late at night, be mindful of your noise levels. In the common spaces, make sure to clean up after yourself (and definitely don’t steal people’s food out of the fridge).
Go To The Social Events
The majority of hostels offer some kind of activity to their guests every single day, and I highly recommend you take advantage of a few during your stay. Yes, other people will show up (and even if they don’t, you’re sure to at least make friends with the hostel staff leading the activity). Whether it’s a free walking tour or a late night bar crawl, hostel events are a great way to meet others and explore your destination in a fun way.
Keep An Open Mind
If you only follow one tip on this list, make it this one. If it’s your first time staying in a hostel, you might find that it’s a different kind of travel experience than you’re used to. Remember why you’re staying in a hostel in the first place: to explore a new place – try to make the most of that! Like any other aspect of your trip, it’s possible that you might run into unexpected ordeals – maybe the bathrooms won’t be as clean as you’d like them to be or one of your roommates will be a really loud snorer – whatever it is, know that you’re likely only spending a few days in each place and that whatever you’re unhappy with will soon pass. In fact, I’ve found that some of my best and funniest travel memories initially started as a hostel horror story. Most importantly, be friendly to your fellow hostel dwellers and stay open to new experiences – say yes to new things and approach everything with a positive attitude, and I think you’ll quickly see why hostels are one of the most popular ways to travel around the world.
What’s your pick in the hostel vs hotel debate? Let us know in the comments below!
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