Hostels are a great and affordable option when you are travelling solo and make it a lot easier to meet other travellers. I have stayed in some very basic ones that I just slept in for 1 night, and some with rooftop pools, free pancakes for breakfast and hiking tours up volcanoes! In this blog post I am sharing with you 8 ways to help you choose the best hostel for your trip. I usually find hostels on Booking.com and HostelWorld.
1. Price
As a budget traveller price plays a huge role when booking accommodation. I usually stay in hostel below £15 per night but it depends on the destination. I have stayed in some places for as little as £3 per night and some places for £30 per night.
2. Kitchen
Does it have a kitchen? As I like to make my own meals to save money, it is important that it has a kitchen. Even if that means just a small hob or microwave and a cutting board. Usually the hostel kitchens are quite big and have everything you need, from hobs to ovens to cooking utensils and a fridge. This makes it a lot easier to prepare food, even if it’s something simple like pasta or instant noodles or just a salad.
3. Tours and events
Some hostels offer organised tours such as hiking, walking and boat tours, and events such as pub crawls and pizza nights. These are great ways to meet people and get to places if you don’t drive. Some hostels offer free tours (tipping is definitely recommended though) or for a very low price.
4. Reviews
I always check the reviews before I book, especially the ones about cleanliness and staff. I also like to check if it’s a social hostel as I like to meet other travellers.
5. Common Area
A lot of hostels have a common area with seats and sometimes board games and tvs. It’s a great place to meet other travellers and socialise or if you just want to chill. I love working on my laptop there as there are usually plugs and wifi.
6. Lockers
It is important they have lockers in your dorm to store your belongings while you are out for the day and when you are sleeping. They usually mention if they have lockers on their “amenities” section on the website. If you forget to bring a padlock with you, they usually sell them at reception, however they can be quite pricey so it’s definitely better to bring your own.
7. Location
I make sure that it is in the city centre or it’s easily accessible by public transport or it’s located near the places I want to visit, for example a tourist attraction, a hiking spot or the beach.
8. Single Sex Dorms
If you feel more comfortable staying in a single sex dorm, check that the hostel has these before booking, as some hostels only have mixed dorms. I have stayed in both single sex and mixed, and do not have a preference.
These are things that are important to me when choosing a hostel, however you may have other preferences. The important thing is to do your research and make sure that the hostel meets your needs.
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