What Make a Great Backpacking Hostel?

Hostels vary in quality and atmosphere all over the globe. Many people can spend months in a hostel so it is important to choose somewhere in your budget that you like.

Let's face it, although you may be abroad to experience different cultures and traditions - a lot of your time is spent in a backpackers or youth hostel - often with people in similar circumstances and from the same country as yourself.

It is fair to say that the antipodean hostels beat most other places on earth for their services and choice of accommodation. After staying in at least 50 worldwide I would say that the best were in New Zealand and the worst perhaps a toss-up between that ghastly one in Las Vegas (why I stayed in a hostel when casino hotels would be a similar price I don't know) with a bed with no slats so that the mattress fell into a V-shape and unmentionable deposits in the shower plughole (all sloshing around my feet too - I'm queasy thinking about it now.).

The other one was a tiny hostel in Singapore where space was at such a premium that there were zero communal areas and you had to sleep with your rucksack in your bunk.

On a brighter note the following is a list of fantastic elements from a broad range of hostels I've stayed at. I still have plans for opening my own backpackers one day and would include the following if I ever do (in no particular order):

This would be the Ritz of backpackers. If you are a hostel owner or manager, I'm serious - these suggestions are gold! Word of mouth would soon spread. I know it's not possible for large urban hostels to implement all these ideas but some of them are possible. One day I'll open my dream backpackers.

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BY: Blue

EDITOR'S NOTE: Has Blue missed anything? Did you experience any great things in a hostel you've stayed at? If you can add to this list, fill in the add articles form and we will add your recommendations.