A good beginning promises a good ending. The difference between arriving somewhere grimy and somewhere welcoming can have a huge impact on your vacation. Staying in a great hostel can really change your impression of a destination.
But how do you know what factors to look for when choosing your accommodation? Many cities offer numerous options when it comes to budget accommodation, so it can be tricky to pick the best option. Based on personal experiences, this is a list of some of the little things that can turn a good hostel into an amazing one. Not all of these factors can be checked in advance, but you should definitely keep a lookout for the ones that can.
1. Clean and comfortable beds
This is a no-brainer but it can change everything. Mystery stains, that unmistakable smell of mould, scratchy sheets or the suspicion that the pillowcase hasn’t been changed in months, etc. shall lead to discomfort and the inability to relax entirely. The worst hostels can even supply you with bed bugs or an allergic reaction, which has to be worst night’s sleep ever. In addition, mattresses that are too soft or hard can result in backaches. Some travel websites suggest taking a sleeping bag liner with you when travelling for all of these reasons; it’s probably good advice if you already have one lying around. To determine if the hostels provide clean and comfortable beds, you should do some research and check out user reviews. Bear in mind that the best hostels will provide you with a comfortable, clean bed that shall help you to rejuvenate. Bonus points for hostels that provide beds with individual curtains, allowing you to have some privacy.
2. Lockable storage within each room
Stressing about your valuables – such as electronics or passport – can be a bit of pain when travelling. Other than uncomfortable bum bags or the constant pocket checks; one of your options is to leave your valuables at your accommodation. However, not all hostels will provide adequate resources to do this. This means that you are at risk of having things lost or stolen. Some of the best hostels offer lockable units within your own room or even bed, thereby solving your problem of having to carry heavy backpacks of valuable electronics. Even better are the lockers that are big enough to fit a bag, or with shelves so you can actually unpack your clothes and air them out.
3. Information about the local area
The best hostels provide you with maps and a fountain of local knowledge at reception. Large notice boards, mountains of flyers and well-informed staff should be able to let you know about all the activities worth doing during your visit. A resourceful information centre can allow you to hit the ground running and make the most of your time in a new place, without wasting time trying to understand how to get from point A to B. Well-organised hostels will also offer group outings, city guides and help you to find the best deals.
4. Sufficient power sockets
Some dorm rooms that cater to 12 person provide only 2 power sockets. Given that each person could conceivably have a phone, a camera and a laptop, such a setup is clearly insufficient, and fairly annoying! A hostel that takes this into account, and provides enough power sockets can mean a big reduction in potential roommate tensions. The very best provision includes two individual sockets per bed. In any case, to avoid electricity wars, it may be worth travelling with a power strip if you’re planning to stay in large dorms. You would be identified as the dorm room hero or heroine. Thoughtful hostels will have suitable adaptors available for loan. Simply check with the reception.
5. Good, unlimited Wi-Fi for free!
Despite increasing expectations from travellers to be able to get connected from anywhere, this is not the case in many countries. Having unlimited Wi-Fi with healthy signal after a few weeks off the grid is great. Good Wi-Fi can allow you to plan the next stages of your trip effectively, as most of the information you need can be found online. Check in advance if your hostel offers this for free, as Wi-Fi may sometimes cost up to half the price of your room for one day. If this is the case, check to see if there are any local libraries or information centres that allow you to log on for free.
6. A fun bar and communal area
One of the best things about travelling is making friends along the way. This is easiest in hostels that have thoughtful socialising areas, which allow everyone to hang out and get to know one another. A great bar that offers well-priced, tasty food and drinks can be a huge bonus to any good hostel. Read reviews or look at pictures of the hostel before booking to see what they can provide.
7. Baggage room
A very simple requirement, but hostels that allow you to leave your bags with them for a few hours or days can make some things a whole lot easier. For example, if you have a night bus, train or flight but check-out is at 10am, you really do not want to lug your baggage around the city for the whole day. This applies to those who are planning to go trekking or hiking. If you are staying in a hostel near the trekking or hiking routes, it makes sense to leave your belongings behind before embarking on your adventure. Lockers or storage units that can be cheaply rented is also a good option, but the absolute top-notch hostels will look after your stuff for free.
8. Book swap
Travelling is a great time to catch up on that reading list, but unless you have an e-reader or kindle, it probably isn’t a practical idea to pack every single book that you might want to read. Many good hostels will have a full bookshelf with a ‘take one, leave one’ policy, allowing you to always have a new, interesting read on hand. The fun thing about this is that you might come across books you never would’ve read otherwise, and might enjoy.
9. A good shower
There is nothing as unsatisfying as a lukewarm drip of a shower when all you really needed was a full-on power cleanse. Getting into a hostel to find a clean bathroom that provides hot water with good pressure can be a dream comes true. This is particularly so if you are travelling to hot, muggy or dusty places, a satisfying shower can make you feel like a new person at the end of the day. Although shared bathrooms are very common in hostels, it is not unreasonable to expect these to be clean and tidy. Thoughtful hostels will offer shared shower facilities with pegs or a little changing area near the showers that allows you to take your clothes in with you, avoiding awkward changing moments in your dorm.
10. Good kitchen facilities
Cooking at your hostel is a great way to cut down costs when travelling. Well-equipped hostels will have cooking utensils, pots and pans, as well as cutlery, plates and glasses. Making meals at the hostel can also be a good way of meeting people - offering to get involved in a group meal can often work out to be cheaper and more fun. Some hostels even provide complimentary rice, pasta and condiments such as oil, salt and pepper.
At the end of the day
All of these are just indications about how hostels can make your stay more comfortable. Nevertheless, this list is not set in stone; some great hostels may not have all of these things and some hostels, which do may just lack that fun vibe. It is most important to research and read user reviews prior to making reservations.
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