HOSTELS

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):

Honesty beer and water fridge (where you take a drink and write your name)
Spacious gas cooking facilities
Lots of fridges (there's never enough room is there?)
Recycling
Home-baking for sale
Free tea and coffee (it doesn't cost that much in bulk does it?)
Relaxing garden
Barbeque (possibly barbeque evening)
Reading lights for each bunk
Sturdy bunk-beds that are spacious and don't creak
Local advice wall - what to do/ transportation options
Courtesy mini-bus to walks and pick-up for guests
Free local telephone calls
Free bagel breakfast (mmm - San Francisco .)
Friendly, helpful reception
Free internet
Power showers
Clean, dry bathrooms with soap and towels
Daily newspapers
Board games (especially chess.)
Positive not negative notices (i.e. NO NOISE, NO THIS, NO THAT OR THE OTHER.)
Lolly on pillow when you check-in (I was so pleased when I found one.)
Movie nights
Separate TV area from lounge and kitchen
Jobs board and work within hostel (work for keep?)
Record player/ guitar/ music of some sort
Bedside table-shelf
No shoes (only in smaller hostels admittedly)

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.

Useful link:

backpackingeurope.com

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.

Browse the articles for advice on moving and settling into a new country abroad.
If you have lived all over the globe why not share your expat experiences and submit an article?

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z GENERAL

Disclaimer
These articles have not been written by an attorney, they are not intended as legal advice and not meant to be relied upon. The articles are written by many different authors and do not represent the thoughts, intentions, plans or strategies of GlobalGophers. Global Gophers is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

You may copy the information provided in these pages so long as you create an html link back acknowledging the source. Copying of images is not permitted unless stated otherwise.