Hostels – Overview & Tips

Located all over the world, this form of accommodation has afforded millions of travelers the opportunity for a place to stay, cook food, meet others and save loads of money while they’re at it

What is a hostel? It’s a hotel for all intents and purposes but, a hotel on a budget (theirs & yours). What I mean is you pay a cheap price for a bed in a room and you share that room with other people. You also share a bathroom (with different stalls and showers – imagine a decently maintained public bathroom that only paying guests have access too) and kitchen facilities too.

You can find people of all ages and stages in a hostel. However, I’d say about 95% of the clientele are between ages 18-29.

More often than not, there is a check in area and lounge equipped with friendly staff to help you with any questions about hostel facilities, the area and its activities

Hostel rooms can vary and host up to 10 (or more) beds/people in a room (#bunkbedsineverycorner). The less people in a room, the more you pay. You can also get all female rooms in most places too. During my trip though, I was never in a room that had more than 8 people (praise jah).

Each hostel is different in terms of layout, look, feel, amenities, rules, character etc. Some could have an actual bar attached to them with cheap drinks but strict no personal alcohol rules. Others allow you to drink your own drinks as you please (but they don’t have their own bar).

In general though, here’s what I think make great hostels stand out from the rest:

Bedroom

1. Outlets. Plenty of Outlets!
2. No bed bugs would be lovely.
3. Reading lamps are a nice touch. Not too bright though as we don’t want to disturb our neighbors.
4. Free wifi. We’ll take in the lobby but if it’s in the rooms we’ll be your friends for life.
5. A mirror in the room. Thanks.
6. It’s CLEAN! Can’t stress that enough.

Bathroom

1. Hooks! Hooks at the back of the shower door are crucial. More than one too!
2. A bench in the bathroom space is luxury.
3. Body wash in the showers is a bonus but not a requirement.

Kitchen

• Basic complimentary coffee, tea and sugar go a long way for BackPackers. They’re really all you need. That and…
• Basic seasoning. Even if it’s just salt and pepper. These are the things that help make our ‘not so good tasting food cause you’re trying to save money life’, comfortable.

General

• A free stuff table – a space where travelers may share items they no longer need with someone who may find it valuable.
• Subtle activities for both introverted and extroverted people – card games, instruments, or a library/tv room in a quiet space etc.
• A board or space where travelers can offer or ask for rides with fellow travelers going in the same direction.

Most importantly (after cleanliness) – Character!! It separates the best from the rest.

Here are some tips I’d give to anyone planning to stay in a hostel:

1. Check if it’s a large or small hostel. As with many things, smaller hostels pay more attention to important details.
2. Bring your own towel. Hostels don’t tend to provide you with them.
3. Bring your own toiletries. It’s definitely not a hotel in this regard.
4. Bring shower shoes! Slippers, jandles, thongs, whatever you call dem. Something to cover your feet when you’re in the shower is essential.
5. Aim for the bottom bunk bed by an outlet. That way you can charge your phone from your bed and not have to worry about it being out of sight.
6. If you choose a bed closest to the curtains, then you have control over them (bright light, or no bright light? All up to you).
7. Bed bugs are less likely on the top bunk. They don’t like heights (so dey say 🤷🏽‍♀️)
8. Check for bed bugs (black marks on white sheets in a good indicator). IT CAN HAPPEN!
9. Pack your basic seasoning – salt & black pepper cause many don’t provide you with them.
10. Carry a cooler bag with your food and write your name on it. They encourage you to mark your stuff in the hostel fridge when storing them to discourage anyone from taking them.
11. If there’s a bathroom in your room, try to bathe first (even if it means waking up early). That way you get the clean bathroom. You’re really not sure how other people stay.
12. With the shared floor bathrooms, if you can get in just after they’ve cleaned it, you’re golden. Make friends with the people at check-in to find out.
13. Pack a micro-fibre towel. It’s specifically designed to dry quickly. Thank me later 💁🏽‍♀️.

If you have any tips or tricks you’ve figured out on your journey, while staying at a hostel, holla! I wanna know!