| > | | | | definitely aimed at the more discerning backpacker. As |
| World Reviewer has seen the backpacking generation | | | | is the Base in Melbourne - glorious in red glass and |
| aged but is no less enamoured of budget independent | | | | concrete, it has a Sanctuary for women where you |
| travel-they just expect more mod cons. Internet | | | | can get a proper pampering after hitting the gym. |
| access, boutique beer, a sun terrace, free language | | | | I don’t personally travel without my laptop. But |
| classes, a room designed by a local designer or artist - | | | | while once it was only travel writers hassling hostel |
| nothing special. | | | | staff for access to a power point for their chargers |
| What happens when backpackers grow up? Once | | | | and a modem cable, now power and internet access |
| you’ve travelled to the uppers of your shoes | | | | are expected by all, and again the industry has |
| and the hilt of your credit card and relied on the | | | | responded to the technology our improved income has |
| kindness of strangers you’re likely to balk at the | | | | saddled us with. As well as your own power point, an |
| idea of joining a tick box packaged holiday where | | | | impossible luxury five years ago, the Purple Nest in |
| you’re expected to follow someone holding | | | | Valencia also has a DVD library; and instead of all |
| something up on a stick to keep your group together, | | | | crowding round to look at the latest photos |
| but equally you might not yet have the funds for that | | | | you’ve downloaded from your digital camera |
| real adventure you aspire to. So what do you do in the | | | | onto your laptop, at Lub D in Bangkok they’ll |
| mean time? City breaks are all good and well, but | | | | hook you up to the big flat screen in the foyer for a |
| there are lots of us out there wanting to go | | | | very flashy, very modern hostel holiday slide show. |
| backpacking with all the mod cons — so many | | | | On the other side of the boho / techno divide are |
| in fact that this new hybrid has a name, | | | | hostels like Daddy Long Legs in Cape Town, ROOM in |
| Flashpackers’. | | | | Rotterdam and Rooms Delux and the Hilux Hostel, |
| And the hostel industry has responded. Design hostels | | | | both in Valencia, where each room has been |
| like Hotel Grace, literally on Times Square and Oops! in | | | | decorated by a different local artist in a different |
| Paris, both look the business — all bright colours | | | | theme. None of those themes are "hostel circa |
| and carefully selected trimmings — and offer | | | | 1970’s, 80’s or 90’s" either. |
| designer services, like a pool with a DJ bar next to it | | | | Yes, you have to pay more to stay in one of these |
| and a first class lounge with business meeting | | | | hostels, but we’re all getting that bit more |
| facilities. The Czech Inn may have a borderline cringe | | | | civilised in our |
| worthy name, but its modern bar, with exposed brick | | | | ueuing- for-a-cold-shower age. |
| and chunky art which serves seven local beers is | | | | |