11 Things to Know When Looking for a Hostel
So you've made the decision to go out there and travel the world but your budget isn't too big or maybe you're wanting more bang for your buck. Maybe you're traveling alone and want to meet people or maybe you're only looking for a spot to sleep Whatever reason you're looking for you've probably looked into hostels as an option but are wondering how to find a great hostel. There are some affiliate links included.
Check the Reviews
Checking the reviews and the ratings is the most obvious piece of advice but it’s also one of the most overlooked tips. But in the reviews is where you’ll find some useful information about the hostel. You’ll see from real consumers about their experiences. A good rule of thumb is that you’re looking for a hostel with a rating of at least 8. Granted sometimes you’ll luck out and find a great hostel with bad ratings or hit up a city where the highest rating is in the mid 7s. If that’s the issue then go to my next tip…
Location is a Major Key
So maybe the reviews didn’t give you the best information but you’re looking for a great spot in the city. Maybe you’re looking to save some coin by staying on one side of the city or maybe you’re wanting a whole new experience.f the hustle. Maybe you're looking for places near the artsy/ museum places? Or super close to public transportation.
When you find a hostel look at the location on the map this will give you a huge idea of what’s located around it. I skipped this step when I booked a hostel in Vienna and ended up booking a hostel at the end of town in a suburb. Granted the hostel was cute and cozy but it was so far away from the city center that by then I didn’t even want to explore.
Pro-Tip it's also sometimes cheaper if you're staying slightly outside of the city in a small suburb or town. For example, instead of paying over 50 euro a night to stay in Roma I stayed about 25 km in a small town named Zagarolo for around 15 euros. That’s a lot more money for pasta and more experiencing life in a different country.
Room Types
While some hostels have the option for a private room- the reason you’re signing up for a hostel is to save some money. So rule of thumb the cheaper the room the higher amount of beds in the room.
There are different types of rooms too apart from private (meaning one bed) you’ll have rooms as small as two-four beds up 32 beds (from what I’ve seen) those rooms can run as cheap as $5 a night.
You also have to take into consideration do you want a mixed room or a room only for girls? I personally chose the rooms with only girls because I didn’t wanna deal with snoring and I was traveling alone.
There’s little to no privacy so you can hang some sheets around your bed. Sometimes you get lucky and can get a hostel with a sleeping cubby. So much more privacy.
Food Options
Yes, you need to think about food. While booking your hostel look to see if your hostel offers free breakfast. Options are often light: bread, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, and coffee. Some hostels offer an add on breakfast option for an additional cost. This might sound like a great idea but if you literally check outside the hostel- you could find out if there’s an option to get a cappuccino and pastry.
Also, look for hostels with kitchens. You’re likely to find a market on the street or in a train station to bring some light eats back to where you’re staying. I also suggest you pack a snack or lunch if you’re wanting to be frugal. This will save you even more money.
Check Amenities
Looking into the different amenities of a hostel can make or break your decision. Okay, maybe they might not make or break your decision but they could prepare you. Some hostels offer free shampoo and soap dispensers and wifi might not always be available in all places. I stayed in a hostel with no a/c many times. Here’s the tip to deal with that. Other than opening a window, take an ice-cold shower is the key. We’re talking never open the hot water. You’ll spend your night ‘warming’ up and sleep fine. This is a summer or tropical location tip.
In all seriousness read around the hostels to find out what’s better suited to you.
Bunk Beds
Unless you’re staying in a single, double or even triple occupancy room the chances of you staying in a room with bunk beds are really high! This is dorm-style sleeping after all. What you’re not expecting is the different kinds of bunk beds you’ll see. Some are your traditional wooden or metal. Some of them are built like cubbies that close into sleeping pods. And if you’re extra lucky you might even get a triple-decker bunk bed and you def don’t want to get surprised with the top bunk.
Security
Security is one of the most important things you need when you’re going to stay in a hostel. So look for places that have locked outside doors to the dormitories or even from the outside, a 24-hr check-in desk, girls only rooms, and lockers.
You’ll definitely want to bring a combination lock (I recommend this over one with a key you can lose the key) and keep your valuables in there. While I never had an issue with anything stolen- I’ve heard horror stories about travelers taking stuff from other travelers. Just be mindful of your stuff and be prepared.
Extra Charges for Towels and Linens
This is self-explanatory and while pricing for linens isn’t usually much- you’re able to come from home prepared with your own linens. I recommend this blanket, it’s super affordable and you can fold it up small so it won’t take a lot of space in your bag. I also suggest this quick-dry towel set. You can shower in the morning and hang it and it’ll be dry by the time you’re ready to check out. It folds small and it’s anti-bacterial which is a major plus.
Activities
Say you’re traveling alone and want to make friends that’s an added benefit to staying in a hostel. When you check-in ask if there are any activities that the hostel offers. Sometimes places offer walking tours or family dinners that they host. If it’s a party hostel then you’ll know where to find the party and endless hours of fun will be guaranteed.
Traveling the world doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. You’ve just got to have all the right tools. I plan on sharing all my tips and tricks and secrets with you. As always be sure to follow my San Antonio Instagram @sanantoniolovelist to keep up with the latest.