| What is a Hostel? | | | | facilities for people of all ages and backgrounds to |
| In a hostel guests rent a bed (sometimes a bunk bed) | | | | enjoy. |
| in a dormitory and they share common bathroom, | | | | The Industry |
| kitchen, and lounge rooms. Private rooms are also | | | | The budget travel sector, such as backpackers, gap |
| often available if you prefer your own privacy. The | | | | year travelers and also families wanting multi-location |
| main benefits of hostels are the low costs of the | | | | holidays, has boomed in the last few years and is |
| accommodation compared to alternatives such as | | | | driven to a large extent by word-of-mouth |
| hotels and also you get to meet other travellers from | | | | recommendation. |
| all over the world. | | | | With competition in the industry "hotting up" and with |
| Hostels are usually less formal and less expensive | | | | millions of customers each and every year choosing |
| than hotels. They are most frequently used by young | | | | cheaper, cost-effective accommodation, the standard |
| travellers. In the past many hostels imposed age limits, | | | | and reputation of these places are ever-increasing. |
| but today it's more common for hostels to accept | | | | The major hostel booking companies also have ratings |
| guests of all ages. Despite the openness of modern | | | | systems which, not only helps customers to choose |
| hostels, the majority of guests are traditionally and | | | | the right accommodation, but also helps to push hostel |
| overwhelmingly between the ages of 18 and 26. | | | | owners to do more to satisfy their customers as their |
| Hostels provide opportunity for multicultural | | | | ratings directly affect how much business they will |
| enlightenment. There is more interaction between | | | | receive from these booking sites. |
| guests than in traditional hotels, and many hostels | | | | The most popular hostel destinations are: London, |
| provide activities to their guests for free or at low cost. | | | | Sydney, Rome, Amsterdam and New York and no |
| There are some potential drawbacks to using hostels, | | | | matter where in the world you are travelling to, you will |
| although most are the same as drawbacks that you | | | | find a selection of great accommodation to suit both |
| could find at many hotels. Theft can be a problem | | | | your taste and your budget. |
| since guests share a common living space, but this can | | | | Despite the arrival of budget hotel chains such as |
| be prevented by locking belongings up. Most hostels | | | | Travellodge, Ibis and Jury's Inns, backpackers still prefer |
| offer some sort of system for safely storing your | | | | to stay in hostels due to factors such as atmosphere, |
| valuables, and many offer private lockers. However, | | | | fun and the social experience of meeting other |
| for the greater part, travellers are equally concerned | | | | backpackers. |
| for the well-being of their own belongings that theft of | | | | The hostel industry, once considered a "cottage |
| other people's belongings rarely takes place. | | | | industry" has now grown rapidly with the entry of new |
| One potential drawback to staying in hostels is difficulty | | | | players opening deluxe hostel chains including The |
| sleeping because of noise, whether from snoring or | | | | Generator Hostel in London. |
| someone returning to the room late in the evening. For | | | | Even if you had never heard of hostels before, the |
| this reason, some hostels associations fix times for last | | | | arrival of the new blockbuster horror film entitled |
| admission and lights out. | | | | Hostel, directed by Eli Roth and starring Jay |
| Despite their low price and somewhat bad reputation, | | | | Hernandez, will no doubt help to advertise the industry, |
| many hostels are of a high standard and have great | | | | despite the nature of the film. |