| > | | | | in Quito, nor would all travelers want that kind of place. |
| Hostels are not hotels, and you need to be aware of | | | | I happen to love hostels, but most travelers won't. I like |
| the differences. While some people would not enjoy | | | | mingling with travelers from around the world. "Mingling," |
| them at any price, some of us love them. | | | | of course, could mean sleeping next to a snorer. |
| Hostels are a cheap travel secret of budget travelers. | | | | In a hotel you are more isolated than in a hostel, but a |
| They have been around in one form or another for a | | | | private room has its advantages. I'm sure the idea of |
| long time, and are oriented towards young travelers | | | | sharing a room is too much for some people, as is |
| and anyone else seeking inexpensive | | | | waiting to use the shower. A hostel is definitely a |
| accommodations. The U.S. version used to be more | | | | different experience from staying in a hotel. |
| complicated, with guests helping with chores. They are | | | | Even if they were the same price, I'd prefer a hostel to |
| simpler now. You rent a bed instead of a room, sharing | | | | a hotel, but one of the biggest reasons people stay in |
| the bathroom, living room and kitchen. Less privacy, but | | | | hostels is to save money. For this, they're a good |
| cheaper accommodations, and you get to socialize. | | | | option when you're traveling alone. Since my wife and I |
| My first time in Quito, Ecuador I stayed at Centro Del | | | | travel together now, we don't stay in hostels often. |
| Mundo, a hostel near the center of the area they call | | | | You pay for two beds, after all, which makes hotels |
| "Gringolandia." $4 per night included breakfast. I shared | | | | more competitive. |
| a room and bathroom with 4 others, and a T.V. room | | | | Some hostels do have private rooms. If you are not |
| with guests from 14 countries, and channels in three | | | | sure you like the idea of sharing a room, but you like |
| languages. It was clean and comfortable, with a locking | | | | the idea of a more social environment, ask about this. |
| trunk next to each bed for valuables. | | | | Sometimes you can even get a private room with a |
| For 80 cents I could have a rum-and-coke brought to | | | | bathroom. |
| me while I played chess with a flower-buyer from | | | | Hostels are not as common in the U.S. as in other |
| Holland. The manager could arrange anything from | | | | countries, unless you include "bed-and-breakfast" |
| $15-tours of the snow-covered volcano Cotapaxi, to | | | | places. These are somewhat like high-priced hostels, |
| $2-per-hour Spanish lessons. Friday nights the rum | | | | but with private rooms. Fortunately, there are still a few |
| was bought by the manager, and there was a party | | | | regular hostels in almost every state, and they are still |
| out in the patio. | | | | a great alternative when you want alternative (and |
| Is A Hostel For You? | | | | cheap) travel. |
| Not all hostels are as much fun as the one I stayed at | | | | |