Here to Stay: Hostels Enter the 21st Century
Out with the old and in with the new -- bare-bones, old-world hostels are quickly becoming a relic of the past as the industry moves towards a newer, sleeker model.
When most people think of hostels, they don’t associate them with luxurious accommodations. However, thanks to some recent improvements within the industry, many travelers are swapping their comfortable but pricey hotel rooms for much more affordable hostel living. So what’s at the root of this movement? Other than the affordable price, travelers are finding hostels to be increasingly stylish, safe, and liveable. Here’s our take on hostels in the 21st century:
Quality of Living
Gone are the days when hostels provided a place to sleep -- and little else. Today’s hostels are sleek, modern, and trendy, and often include bars, cafés, and kitchens where you can prepare your own meals. Sleeping arrangements have become much more agreeable as well: in contrast to a cramped, noisy 20-person dorms, today’s hostels often offer private or semi-private accommodations, with rooms holding more than eight tenants being the exception rather than the rule.
Hostels like Travellers’ House in Lisbon are consistently praised for their comfortable bedding, ample storage space, and their abundance of small but essential amenities like power outlets, that make weary travellers feel right at home.
New Technologies
Thanks to the technological advancements we’ve enjoyed over the past sixteen years, booking a room and staying in a hostel is easier (and safer!) than ever. With websites like HostelBookers, you can book your stay well in advance, and be sure that wherever you’re staying is as clean, friendly, and secure as advertised.
And, thanks to a recent upsurge of location-based social apps, there are more ways than ever to communicate with the people around you while you’re traveling. Whether you’re looking to swap tips with fellow travelers or mingle with the local crowd, these apps are sure to help you connect with those around you.
Social Climate
While social apps are a must-have, the hostels themselves offer common spaces and group activities to facilitate mingling among travelers. Recognizing that many backpackers and tourists choose hostels not only for their affordability but also for their lively atmospheres, many hostels have pulled out all the stops to facilitate socialization. At Wombat’s City Hostel in London, for instance, the spacious bar will often play host to impromptu karaoke nights, creating a party atmosphere within the hostel itself.
At Home Lisbon Hostel, on the other hand, travelers are treated not only to a variety of comfy common spaces, but also to a home-cooked meal courtesy of “Mamma,” the owner’s mother. With a built-in community awaiting them at each hostel, solo travelers should be particularly enthusiastic about having a safe, warm and welcoming place in which to socialize.
Whether you want to party till the sun comes up or curl up each night with a good book, chances are there’s a hostel out there that caters exactly to your needs, and markets itself to like-minded travelers. Don’t let the old-fashioned stereotypes of hostel living fool you -- in terms of price, convenience, and overall fun, hostels can’t be beat!
