Millenial hostel-goers may not have as much money as some travelers, but they tend to spend more of their disposable income and stay on the road longer to see the world than many others.
As a result, hostels are becoming a more popular alternative than traditional hotels for many young travelers, aged 18 to 35.
Hostels have more to do with the people staying there than the physical place. Most people enjoyed their stays in the hostels because of the people there. While hosteling is about the people, staying in a place that knows a traveler’s needs is always better, because it enhances the travel experience. When trying to pick a good hostel, here is our advices on what to consider:
Cheaper is not better
Budget travelers have a natural inclination to go with the cheapest thing around. However, don’t try to save a buck just to save a buck. Super cheap hostels are often unclean, the beds uncomfortable, the showers dirty, and the pillows thinner than a supermodel. Pay an extra dollar or two for nicer and cleaner digs. Your body will thank you.
Get breakfast
Look for a place with a decent breakfast (i.e., more than toast) or at least one that begins and ends when people are actually awake (breakfasts that start around 8:00 usually go late). Breakfast is also a great way to load up on snacks for the rest of the day, thereby cutting down your food budget.
Free Internet
While the Internet isn’t a must for all travelers, a hostel with free Wi-Fi and computer terminals makes life a lot easier.
A bar
Bars are not a deal-breaker, and there are a lot of wonderful hostels without them, but they make for a great place to socialize with other hostel guests. Usually if a hostel has a bar, they put a strong emphasis on making sure the people staying there are having fun, interacting, and being festive.
Common area
If the hostel doesn’t have a bar, it should have a big common area. The best hostels are the ones that give travelers a place to hang out and socialize with each other. Common areas facilitate interaction and help solo travelers have an easier time meeting people. And the hostels we have at ARFIT Club have amazing common areas.
