How to Select a Hostel
What to look for in a hostel?
Location
A central, safe location is the primary concern when selecting a hostel. Mapping out the main attractions you'd like to see in a city in comparison to the hostel can give you a better idea of its convenience. It is important to also check proximity to public transport; the difference between a 5 minute and 15 minute walk to the metro station can make all the difference-- especially for solo female travelers who may be walking alone at night. Safety can largely be gauged by reviews via Hostelworld and Google. Your best resource is fellow travelers; if there are multiple reviews concerning the character of the neighborhood, it is wise to avoid.
Bed Arrangement
A sleepover with 8 strangers can be even the most extroverted person's worst nightmare. Luckily, a smart hostel design will make it feel like a 5 star hotel (okay maybe 3). An ideal hostel will have bed curtains and outlets in each bunk. This provides much needed privacy, the illusion of your own space, and prevents you from having to leave your electronics in the communal space to charge.
If available, always opt for "coffin" style bunk with the opening and curtain at the foot of the bed-- this provides the most privacy and least noise. Additionally, avoid any hostels with a mix of bunks and floor level (stand alone) beds. If you are the unlucky traveler to be placed in a floor bed, you will be oh so exposed.
Is the ensuite sweet?
The hotly debated and sometimes coveted ensuite bathroom can strongly influence your hostel experience. An ensuite bathroom eliminates the concern of leaving your room to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, but also means that at peak times like morning and night, you will likely have to wait to shower. It can also be frustrating waiting for the bathroom when you simply need the mirror. At night, loud roommates coming home from the bar are more likely to keep you up when using the ensuite, versus if they were to get ready for bed in a communal bathroom. Finally, the dreaded traveling stomach does happen and an ensuite ensures all your dorm mates will be aware.
Security
Though the majority of backpackers are honest and protective of their fellow travelers, it is always important to take safety measures. Automatic locking doors both on the exterior and dorm doors ensures your belongings are protected from anyone not staying in your dorm. Lockers inside each dorm or lock boxes in the bunk allow you to lock up important items or store your luggage. Though there are exceptions to this, security consideration usually indicates a thoughtful design that will carry over into other aspects of the stay.
Reception
Professionally run hostels will have clear check in instructions as well as ample reception hours. If this is your first time backpacking, this will help alleviate a lot of stress. Even as a seasoned traveler, it can be nerve wracking to finish a long day of traveling only to be lost trying to locate reception or even worse-- to get there and find it closed. Platforms like Hostelworld typically show a picture of the check in desk; I prefer clearly branded desks with reception info like the wifi password because I know I will not be left searching.
Gendered Dorms
As a solo female traveler, I prefer girls only dorms. If there is the option, I strongly urge women to take it. Though most backpackers are great, there are the few that may make you uncomfortable via stares or comments and it is best to avoid being stuck in a room with them. Most male backpackers are great! But after a few too many precarious situations, I choose to bunk with only women. There is also a special social atmosphere in girls only dorms; I will never forget the many nights of getting ready to go out with all the girls in my dorm, all vying for the tiny mirror on the wall.
Social Atmosphere
If you are looking into hostels, chances are you are hoping for some fun events and new friends. Explore the hostel's website or Hostelworld.com description as well as reviews. Events like communal dinners, bar crawls, or game nights will provide easy outlets to meet people. My favorite thing to see is a hostel bar. Whether you partake in drinking or not, the bar provides a clear common space to gather each night, make friends and find people to spend time with. Hostel bars usually offer a free drink to guests to encourage socializing and fair prices for additional drinks.
The best nights of my life all started on an old stool in a hostel bar.
Climate Control
As an American, I have endless love for air conditioning and closed windows. This is not common in the rest of the world. I prioritize hostels with air conditioners; I know I will not get good sleep without it. There are many hostels in many hot countries that rely on opening windows to cool off. I remember sitting in a hostel in Southern Crete during a 105 degree heatwave with no AC and no breeze, I did something I have never done-- I packed up my belongings and went to a hotel. It is up to you to decide if AC is necessary; always make a point to check if a hostel has it if that is important to you.
Laundry and Kitchen
Backpacking lets us escape the mundane, but it does not let us escape the chores. Laundry access and a well equipped kitchen will greatly improve your experience. After long weeks and a few too many sniff tests, a nice, clean load of laundry will make you feel like you won the lottery. Explore the photos and description of potential hostels to determine if they have facilities available. Dryers are rare-- most will only have clothes lines. For the kitchen, look at pictures to see where food is stored, how stocked the shelves are, and how clean it looks overall. Making some meals at the hostel will stretch your budget, but a dirty or undersupplied kitchen will inhibit this. Clearly labeled shelves of guests food indicate that there is a system, and guests partake in it. If the kitchen looks messy or without any guest food, it probably means it is not usable in real life-- once again, your fellow traveler is your best indicator. If your fellow traveler is not using the kitchen, you probably will not want to either.
Cost
The balance between price and comfort can be difficult to strike. Intuition is the best tool in this. Does the price seem too good to be true? It probably is. Check out all the hostels in the area and get a feel for the average; anything significantly below this is likely cheap for a reason. On the other hand, no matter how many amenities a hostel has, you are still sharing a room with strangers so adjust your willingness to pay accordingly. Price also influences who else will stay there. The dirt cheap hostels typically have shoestring backpackers of all ages; they have seen it all and will be sure to tell you that non flushing toilet is not too bad. Mid level hostels will usually have people in the 20's and early 30's with a mix of experience. High cost hostels will have middle aged backpackers and more digital nomads.
Extras
Some hostels have fun or unique aspects that make them even better. I stayed at one that offered free breakfast and dinner which was a great social bonus and saved me lots on my food budget. Others will have signature events like bar crawls. These events are great indicators of a great hostel. If you are traveling outside of peak season, however, be sure to confirm that these events are held year round. This can be done by reading over the hostel description carefully or emailing to hostel itself. Do not be afraid to reach out to hostels with any questions, good hostels will be responsive and will want to ensure the best possible stay. Another extra that has been, for me, a great indicator, is free towels. If a hostel offers free towels-- prepare for the most luxurious summer camp style sleepover of your life.
My Favorite Hostels
You've made it this far! Might as well take a look at my favorite hostels in the world. These all have a great combination of cleanliness, privacy, and social atmosphere.
1. Hostel Bedgasm - Tokyo, Japan
2. Rethymno Youth Hostel - Crete, Greece
3. Ostello degli Elefanti - Catania, Italy
4. Sherva101 - Chiang Mai, Thailand
5. Athens Hawks Urban - Athens, Greece
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