Picking your hostel room type
Hostels come in many shapes and forms, and picking the one that fits
1) the type of trip you’re planning
2) your budget
3) your personal preferences
is crucial.
Let us guide you through some things to consider.
Type of hostel
When picking your hostel, make sure to look at what the hostel offers, and whether that fits your wishes. In addition, we recommend doing a bit of research on the hostel you are planning to book from an ethical perspective. Unfortunately, sometimes hostels keep their costs low by underpaying their staff, or none of the profits generated contribute to the local economy. These are hard things to know in advance, but if you have any reason to doubt the ethical soundness of the place, we recommend you to look at alternatives. As a tourist, your money speaks for what you support!
Here’s how we categorise the main hostel types:
Some hostels are specifically tailored for a certain activity (e.g. surf hostels in Bali or Morrocco). There are so many cool concept hostels around the world for all sorts of activities, moods & lifestyles. If you have a hobby you want to spend time on or learn, these hostels are a great choice as they are usually in a convenient spot, provide the necessary equipment, and offer the social aspect of hostel life with like-minded people. Some concept hotels are also party hostels, so make sure to check the vibe before booking so it fits your expectations. Keep in mind that concept hostels might often be on the pricier side because of the additional services and comfort they offer.
Budget Hostels
Hostels, in general, are cheap, but some are really cheap and that’s their main selling point. You might notice from the pictures, reviews and list of amenities that budget hostels are quite simple and minimalistic. This is a great choice if minimising your budget is your top priority, you are fairly low maintenance, staying short term/not planning to spend much time at the hostel, or/and want to prioritise another aspect (like location). Manage your expectations though, remember that you get what you pay for!
Party Hostels
Yep, that’s a thing. Possibly a less known but by no means a less cool category of hostels that offers a bit (or a lot) of extra comfort. Luxury hostels are relatively more expensive, but usually offer a more hotel-like setup with similar quality and cleanliness standards and services, while still incorporating typical hostel elements like shared rooms, common areas or activities. These are a great option if you need to work while travelling, want some quiet time and space, or need a break from cold showers and people talking at 5am in your room. Some luxury hostels are also situated in incredible locations, so they are definitely an experience on their own.
Backpacker favourites, partially overlapping with budget hostels, but their selling point is in being the place to socialise and, surprise, surprise, party. If it’s not explicitly mentioned, you can spot a party hostel from the bar, pub crawl or other event advertisements, pictures of parties or events, and usually a hip and colourful decor. The cool thing - you’ll meet loads of people, make memories, these hostels are usually cheap and offer a direct link to the nightlife of the destination. Less cool? Drunk people coming in at every hour, noise, and (sometimes) general lack of comfort and hygiene.
Concept Hostels
Luxury Hostels
Where to book my hostel?
+ Hostel’s own website
Type of room
When picking your hostel, consider the type of room you want to stay in. Below are the main room types, but note that you won’t find all of them in each hostel. Use the filtering option on the booking website to find the type of rooms you like.
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The most intense yet cheapest way to stay in hostels is to pick a large, mixed dorm. These are typically the loudest, as more people = more noise by default, but also because they are favoured by big groups and party people. Be warned (or intrigued)! They can be lots of fun, but not for the light sleepers.
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This most accessible and common type of dorm fits between 4 and 10 people, regardless of gender. This is a good middle-ground option.
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If you’re a female and don’t feel comfortable in a mixed dorm, many hostels offer the option of an all-female dorm. They are often a bit more expensive (unfortunately), but definitely worth considering if you are feeling unsure. Additionally, female dorms tend to be a bit more tame, so your chances of a good night’s sleep are not too bad.
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If you are travelling with someone or need your own space, a lot of hostels offer private rooms. This is great if you want some privacy but still enjoy the perks of common areas and social events, although they are understandably more costly. If a private bathroom is important for you, make sure there is one as some private rooms still have shared bathrooms.
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The least common but emerging form of a hostel room is a sleeping pod. Pod hostels have increased in popularity over the past years, and having your own tiny home can be a lovely way to get privacy without overpaying. Some pod hostels have even taken a whole futuristic themeyou should try it at least once!
Other Considerations
Here is a list of other aspects you might find important when picking a hostel, so make sure to check them before booking:
Aircon: Don’t take it for granted, especially in tropical climates!
Curtains around the bed to give a bit of privacy: it’s a gamechanger
Whether there is WiFi and how good is it
Whether breakfast is included or not
What kind of common areas the hostel offers: kitchen, bar, living room, game area, pool, quiet area, rooftop terrace, garden...
Whether the hostel offers deals with local companies for tours or activities
If the hostel offers rentals like a scooters, bikes, surf boards, etc.
Proximity to sightseeing or where you want to go/what you want to do
Are the ratings good? We would usually not stay at a hostel with a rating under 7 (/10)
What are our most memorable hostel experience?
“A really cool hostel that I’ve stayed at was the Mad Monkey Hostel in Koh Rong, Cambodia.
This place truly is the definition of a summer camp for adults: the hostel is spread out on a big part of the island where dorms are in bungalows and people get together at the beach bar/restaurant/common area, chill on the beach or go on an excursion. It was my Parents’ Trap summer camp moment that I didn’t get as a kid, except that no one tells you what to do.”
“One of my most memorable hostel experiences was in Reykjavik, Iceand.
Living in the Westfjords meant that I had to stay in the capital every now and then. My to-go hostel was KEX, right in the city center by the sea with a view on fjords. The location decor, vibe, food and music all stuck with me but the thing that baffled me was the 42-bed mixed dorm where I stayed multiple times. Gosh, so many people, so many bunk beds and somehow it did not feel overwhelming or odd. So yeah, big ass dorm, check!”
Picking a hostel according to your budget
Ah yes, budgeting. It goes without saying that in addition to transport, accommodation comes high on the expenses list. If you are a hostel traveller, chances are that managing costs is high on your priority list. Having started travelling with a burning hunger for the world but little extra to spend during our years as students, we’ve solidly engaged in expenditure-cutting activities prior to and during our travels. Here are some takeaways for you to consider and save some of that jam!
Your non-negotiables
Food
Before making any decisions, have an honest conversation with yourself. What are things that you absolutely know you’ll need during your hostel stays. Think of your non-negotiables: we suggest making a list as this will surely change along the way. Do you need extra privacy with a curtain, would you rather stay in an all-female dorm, should the hostel be located in a certain area? Luckily most websites offer a filtering option so you can get an idea what price range your needs fall under.
Tip: don’t try to fool yourself into picking a cheaper hostel if you know it will make your stay miserable.
Together with your non-negotiables and preferences (established in the previous section), you have an idea of the type of hostel you are looking for.
Type of hostel
In some places, you might be able to do some efficient budget trimming by opting to cook in your hostel occasionally rather than eating out. It does not mean you shouldn’t also be eating out, but keep in mind that most hostels have kitchen facilities if you want to cook! In other places, eating out can come down cheaper than getting groceries, so do your research and adapt as you go!
Some hostels also offer breakfast either included or for a small price. Without being too fancy, these give you a decent start for the day and provide you with the elixir of life, coffee...
Take a look at the location of the hostel you are considering booking. Typically booking websites give you the information of how far/close the hostel is from the city center. In some locations you might want to opt for saving transportation costs, so choose a hostel that is in the vicinity of the major locations/attractions you want to visit.