You probably have a very specific idea in mind when you hear the word Hostel. You may think of free spirits traveling across Europe, letting their heads land where they may. Or you may think of a dusty dimly lit room stacked to the ceilings with creaking bunk beds.
Often times the thing that holds people back from a foreign vacation is the various hotel stays that can accumulate. Unless you are willing to fly across the sea for an extended weekend and only staying in one city, multiple hotel moves will be inevitable.
I too was under the impression that if you didn’t have the money to shell out for decent hotels, you would have to settle for a Hostel experience that was unpleasant, and in some cases even unsafe.
I set out to find some of the worlds best Hostels in the some of the most sought after destinations
….ALL UNDER $100. And to learn how to do Hostels the right way!
Are there nice Hostels?
YES!
Generator Hostel (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
The first Hostel we visit is in Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a very sought after destination most known for its beautiful canals….
World famous Cherry Blossom Festival
And of course the red light district.
The average hotel price in Amsterdam for 2019 is about 158 euros which is about 173 USD.
The Generator Hostel used to be the Amsterdam University’s Zoology Building until it was transformed into this beautiful Hostel. The outside is a beautiful brick building, and the inside has been completely converted. It is extremely modern and looks like room inspo posts on Pinterest.
If you splurge and get a private room, you are looking at an average price of $160 which still comes in a little bit lower than the average price in Amsterdam: in a very cool place no less.
But if you are willing to go all in to the Hostel experience, you can get a twin bed in a premium 4 person room for only $44
The Generator has very good reviews and appears to be very beautiful. This honestly was a shocking discovery for me- I honestly didn’t know there were beautiful Hostels.
More Affordable Option
If you are looking for the classic Hostel experience (and classic Hostel prices), there are still some good options that are relatively comfortable.
One that I found is in the South of Italy on the Italian Riviera.
5 Terra Backpackers (Cinque Terra, Italy)
This place has amazing reviews: sited for it’s delicious family style meals, great location, and beautiful views.
It seems that the hosts are very hospitable, it has a good location, and they even cook group meals for the guest. Staying at a family run Hostel can be a good way to immerse yourself into the culture, and to get personal recommendations from a local. And who knows, maybe you will find some new friends as well.
For a basic twin private room you are looking at $76. This means you and a friend or partner can share the room and spend only about $38 a night which is honestly a steal.
If you are looking for the cheapest way possible, you can get a bed in a 6 bed dormitory style room for only $32. This may not feel like the most comfortable option at every hostel, but at the 5 Terre Backpackers you will receive a locker for your things, and the raving reviews will also calm your fears of any funny business.
Everything you should know
Now that we’ve found a couple of viable hostel options, it’s time to learn a little more about how seasoned travelers do hostels. Even though they can be nice, there are still
precautions and measures you should take to ensure you have a comfortable stay.
1. Splurge on the private room if you can
If you can afford it, try and go for one of the slightly more expensive private rooms. This will give you a door with a lock so you don’t have to worry about your belongings, especially on an extended stay. This will also make it more comfortable to do everything you would imagine like changing or even sleeping in your underwear.
A lot of times the private room isn’t even much more expensive so it’s worth it.
2. Bring your own toiletries
Often times hostel toiletries will be very cheap (Think of the pink sticky soap in your elementary school bathroom). Packing some travel sized shampoos and lotions will make your stay that much more comfortable. It will also be more sanitary since many hostels have shared bathrooms.
3. Change your bedsheets
Make sure to ask your hostel host about how often they will be changing the bed sheets!
4. Trust your Gut!
Even though I am sure you have done your research and read all of the reviews you can find, if you are uncomfortable with your sleeping arrangement speak up! Refer to #1 and perhaps try to upgrade to a private room if someone or something in the dorm style room makes you uneasy.
Maybe you are reading this article because you are considering choosing a hostel for your next trip. After my research, I think that staying at a hostel can be a great option, if you do your research. If hotel prices are the only thing keeping you from your dream European vacation…..go for it!
