The concept of a hostel came to us from Europe, historically it has developed that these are some kind of apartments, similar to American motels, offering travelers and guests to spend the night.

For the first time, a hostel was built in Germany by the teacher Shirmani to accommodate his students from non-wealthy families who had nothing to pay for the hotel.

At first, the housing was equipped right in the classroom with the tables cleaned, then it was placed in the Altenaon castle, where today they successfully receive their guests.

Young people tend to stay overnight in small establishments with only one purpose – to sleep.

The article may be useful: “16 Life hacks for living abroad or how to save on accommodation while traveling?”

In the common people, this is an ordinary flophouse, for entrepreneurs, a hostel is a fashion trend that has already attracted many businessmen to start their business.

The opening of such establishments in Russia certainly justifies itself, since the prices are affordable, not everyone can rent a hotel room, and renting an apartment is even more expensive.

Hostels in Moscow are quiet, cozy mini-hotels, which are equipped with a shower, a bathroom, a ventilation system, a TV, a luggage room, a library, and where euro renovations have been made.

Russian hostel “Jaga”

In addition, for a fee, clean bed linen, hairdryer, tea and coffee delivery to the room are provided.

It is possible to rent a room, starting from 4 people, within 10 $, doubles or singles cost a little more.

The type of hostel depends on the contingent of residents, it is equipped for:

the youth;
conference participants;
guests of the city;
casual tourists.

Rooms for a youth audience are usually smaller in size, designed for a large number of beds, while conference participants live only during certain periods of time, several days and only a couple of times a year, these seats in the institution are often empty.

When opening hostels, it is important to take into account the contingent for which the hostel will be designed, otherwise the income from this business can not be expected.

What are hostels?

Hostels have different standards. Each entrepreneur pursues his own goal in the development and arrangement of premises with the aim of their subsequent delivery and income.

Rooms can be with conveniences, or they can only be with beds and bedside tables, even without a TV.

The so-called Spartan boutiques have their own list of services, at least clean bed, hot showers and breakfast will be offered to you for sure.

It is likely that there is a laundry room if there is enough cold and hot water.

As in the hostel, each hostel has its own order of rules:

check in;
compliance with cleanliness;
daily wet cleaning of your place of residence;
visiting hours (after 11 pm it is forbidden to leave the room, receive guests).

Hostel advantages

The undoubted advantages include:

Reasonable prices for accommodation are much lower than hotel, rented premises;
The opportunity to find friends, chat if you come from afar. Some tourists go on a journey not only to see the city, but also to make friends.

Disadvantages of the hostel

The disadvantages of this institution include:

Lack of elevator-type privileges with a multi-storey building;
Shared bathroom, shower, kitchen and toilet;
Lack of guarantees for the safety of your belongings, although today many establishments have lockers;
The presence of certain inconveniences, for example, snoring next to a sleeping neighbor, rustling outside doors or on upper floors;
People going to the toilet at night;
Closing the doors in the hostel at night;
Compliance with the regulations of the institution;
The presence of a symbolic breakfast, except for a cup of coffee, is unlikely to bring you anything more.

Criteria for choosing a hostel

The hostel should be:

Famous. You can read about the reputation of your chosen hostel and the reviews of visitors on the Internet.
Affordable for the places you plan to visit.
Friendly. Take a closer look at the service provided. Sometimes little things in the form of a hot shower, a transfer, a free Wi-Fi router can be very helpful.
Safe. You pay money, so you have the right to external and internal security. At any time, the institution must have a security guard to store valuables and things or individual cells.
Economical. The hostel differs in that, despite the different list of services provided, it should be cheap, prices should be relatively low.

Cheapness can play a cruel joke and turn your stay in the institution into a living hell.

However, try to save money wisely before you go to the hostel to find out how the former guests say about it.

When choosing, also read the daily routine. You can ask your questions and incomprehensible moments to the administrator on duty, who should always be at the establishment and be on duty around the clock.

Clean. I recommend choosing hostels based on excellent reviews and excellent ratings. Those options where it will be clean and you can even walk barefoot on the territory of the hostel, without fear of stepping on a cockroach or a long-spilled beer.

Choosing and booking a hostel

You need to book a hostel in advance, especially during periods of influx of tourists – in summer and on New Years. Problems may arise in finding an inexpensive hostel, there may simply not be places.

Today, in every city there are a lot of such establishments, in the absence of places in one of them, you can always drive to another, but there are enough people who wish always and everywhere.

You can choose a suitable hotel on the sites:

Booking.com;
HotelsCombined.com;
Airbnb.com.

You can also book a room or a place right there.

On the websites you can find all the necessary information, living conditions, a list of services and see photos of the rooms.

Consider the location of the hotel so that there are all the necessary routes nearby to save money. Estimate the cost of a bed.

The price depends on the class of the hotel, the number of living neighbors in one room.

Safety and vigilance

Despite all the measures that are taken by the owners for a comfortable place for guests to stay, you need to understand that all people are different, and living in the same square with a large number of neighbors, thefts are possible.

Be vigilant, watch your belongings, there are enough dishonest people everywhere.

Even if you see that people who seem to be trustworthy are in the room with you, I recommend using the luggage room to check in your belongings. Always keep documents and money with you at all times.

Take care of your own well-being so that an accidental theft doesn't ruin your trip or long trip.

How to find a hostel and book online?

You need to search for an acceptable hostel on specialized sites.

Go to the site, set the desired parameters of the country, city, date, purpose of arrival, length of stay.

Explore the sites hostelbookers.com, hostelworld.com and hostels.com:

Check out the description of your chosen mini-hotel, living conditions, rates. Do you have the conditions you need: the presence of a luggage room, kitchen, laundry, dining room, is the payment of the room taxed, is the institution closed at night;
Is it possible to book a separate room for the whole family;
Ask if there is an Internet connection, if its cost is included in the total cost of living;
Is there a kitchen and is it possible to cook there;
Is breakfast delivered in the morning, what are the prices;
It is equally important for tourists to learn about the sights of the city, at what distance from the hostel they are located;
Do not forget to familiarize yourself with the schedule, opening hours and reception of visitors to this institution;
If you have made your choice, you can also book a place online by contacting the operator, you will be assigned an approximate time of arrival, met and help you to settle down.

How to live there

To better understand what a hostel is and how to live there, let's first say about some standards. In the cheapest hostels, they are:

one shower and toilet for 10-15 guests;
4 m² per bed;
the minimum kitchen equipment is a kettle and a microwave oven, sometimes a stove with a refrigerator.

In hostels, conditions are more expensive – spacious rooms, showers not in the corridor, but in each room, more household appliances in the kitchen. Sometimes they put TVs for guests, leave books and board games.

Rooms are cleaned once a day, bed linen is usually changed every five days or once a week.

In general, here no one is forcing you to anything. Some limit themselves to only spending the night in the hostel. That is, they come home from school and immediately go to bed, and run away in the morning. Someone takes part in social life – communicates with guests, watches TV, listens to music or reads a book.

Hostel and hotel – the difference

As a rule, the cost of renting a room in a hostel and a hotel differs significantly – by 4-5 times. Otherwise, the hotel's amenities are of course incomparable. The hostel can accommodate from 4 to 10 or more people in one room at a time. There is Wi-Fi in the hostels, but just in case, it doesn't hurt to ask the administration an additional question.

You need to book a bed in the same way as a hotel room – in advance. Especially if you are planning a weekend or holiday trip. If the hostel has recently opened or is located far from the tourist center, most likely, it will be possible to book it on the same day.

Remember that no matter how good the security conditions in this or that hostel, it is always better to play it safe. No one is insured against theft, even in the hotel, and in the hostel it is worth taking care of personal belongings more vigilantly.

Taking money, gadgets and documents with you is not so burdensome. It is best if the rooms have lockers – individual lockers that are locked with a key. If there are no lockers and you do not want to carry your laptop with you, ask the administrator if you can leave valuables under his supervision.

Where to looking for

There are many sites for choosing hostels:

Booking.com;
HotelsCombined.com;
Agoda.com.

You can get a lot of useful information on booking sites. For example, compare prices – they may differ slightly on Booking and Agoda. You can also see photos of common areas and rooms, find out the time of arrival and living conditions, read reviews.

Lavender Circus Hostel – Budapest, Hungary

Price: double rooms from € 14 per person per night.

Location: city center, next to the Kálvin tér metro station.

This vintage hostel is housed in a 19th century mansion in the heart of Budapest. A warm and welcoming atmosphere with a touch of former imperial luxury makes this place ideal for couples seeking romance and privacy.

Prison Hostel – Karosta, Latvia

Price: € 15 per person per night.

Location: Karosta (naval port) is located 5 km from the historic center.

The former prison has now opened its doors to curious travelers. Are you ready to spend the night in a real prison bunk and enjoy a traditional inmate menu? Please note that all visitors sign at the time of check-in a waiver of claims for rude behavior of staff and even physical punishment!

The Babushka Grand Hostel – Odessa, Ukraine

Price: € 7 in total, € 11 in a separate room.

Location: in the city center, close to all the main attractions of Odessa, 15 minutes walk from the Arcadia area, where the best beaches and clubs are concentrated.

This unusual hostel will welcome you with the warmth of grandma's comfort. All rooms are decorated in old style with chandeliers, floral wallpaper, gilding, carpets. There even a fireplace can be found in the common room!

Franz Ferdinand Hostel – Sarajevo, Bosnia

Price: Starts at € 9.90 for a shared room, € 15.90 for a private double room.

Location: city center, one turn from the main pedestrian street Ferhadija.

This hostel was conceived and launched by a group of young architects and artists who dedicated it to the story of the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Archduke. This event was the reason for the outbreak of the First World War, which swept like a whirlwind across most of the globe. The impeccably decorated rooms, with large paintings and historical photographs, will immerse you in the atmosphere of the time.

Kadir's Tree House – Olympos, Turkey

Price: € 12 for a bed in a room for six people, € 22 for a separate double room.

Location: in the center of the wonderful village of Olympos.

Have you dreamed of owning your own tree house as a child? In this hostel, your childhood dreams will come true! Stunning huts on stilts and trees are already waiting for you in the immediate vicinity of Olympos National Park and a magnificent beach with crystal clear waters and white sand.

Generator Hostel – Barcelona, Spain

Price: a bed in a hostel from € 11.40 per night, a private room from € 21.60.

Location: In the heart of the stylish Gracia area, 5 minutes walk from the two main metro stations.

Bright, stylish and affordable, this hostel is the perfect place to stay in a popular city like Barcelona. It seems that the design team has done everything in their power to make each room look unique. In this place, the holiday never ends, everything is saturated with the spirit of the fiesta.

St Briavels Hostel – Gloucestershire, England

Price: beds from € 24, private room from € 74 per night.

Location: in the city center, in an old family castle.

This hostel is located in an ancient castle. Its rich history and architecture is stunning, especially if you are a fan of medieval history. And lovers of mysticism can try to get acquainted with a local ghost that lives somewhere in the dungeon.

Dream Hostel – Tampere, Finland

Price: from € 19.80 per bed in a room for 16 people, private room from € 62 per night.

Location: in the university district of Tulli, 5 minutes walk from Tampere train station.

For its simple yet sophisticated design, Dream Hostel was named Finland's Best Hostel in 2013! Modern decor, warm hospitality and reasonable prices along with a good location make this a very attractive place to visit.

The Independente Hostel – Lisbon, Portugal

Price: from € 10.92 for a bed in a common room and € 85 for a private room.

Location: On the border of Principe Real and Bairro Alto, a short walk from Rossio train station.

Lisbon is arguably the best city in Europe for the budget traveler. The Independente Hostel is located in the residence of the former ambassador of Switzerland, and its design is a combination of modern elements with original architectural features. Most impressive of all is the rooftop terrace with amazing city views!

Big Yellow House – Novalja, Croatia

If happiness had a color of its own, it would surely be yellow – like in Big Yellow House. Not only do the gorgeous sea and coastal panoramas of Croatia open up from there, not only is it great to watch colorful sunsets from there, no: Big Yellow House also constantly demonstrates that it loves you – in many different ways! Here they are treated to “welcome drink”, the bar is open around the clock, and there are also concerts of live music – yes, such that the feet themselves start to dance.

Meet new friends as much as you like – at the backyard barbecue, every Tuesday and Saturday, you want, at the concerts that different cool bands put on here almost every night. Adrenaline hunters can rent bicycles, ATVs and boats, while partygoers can enjoy the action at the nearby Zrce Beach, where there is so much more. For example, in order not to go far, the Sonus festival will be held here from 21 to 25 August (or take a look at our selection of Croatian festivals). The hostel is an hour's drive from Zadar, and, among other things, from there it is great to arrange expeditions to the national parks of Croatia – or take a short trip to the islands of North Dalmatia.

Nomads Queenstown – Queenstown, New Zealand

Tucked away in the heart of New Zealand's Queenstown is a true paradise for nature and adrenaline lovers. This is a very popular spot during the winter months – and it feels so good to curl up in front of the fireplace or grill in the sauna when you get stupefied. As for the summer, why not take courage and jump into the abyss – after all, both bungee jumping and canopy are practiced here, and no one is prohibited from paragliding over the mountainous landscape of the South Island and Lake Wakatipu.

So Nomads Queenstown is the place where people hook on each other: playing board games or football, lying by the pool or in a home theater session; and so all year round.

Slumber Party Hostel – Krabi, Thailand

“Slumber party” is actually such a party, after which the guests stay overnight at the owners, but do not believe the name – at this party not a single living soul will definitely sleep a wink. In Ao Nang, located on the coast of the Andaman Sea, with waterfalls, jungle and islands beckoning explorers. There is clearly more entertainment than hours in the day! Inexpensive long-tailed boats will take you to the Phi Phi Islands and the paradise beaches that once caressed the body of young Leo DiCaprio, and you can also go on a trip around the island – diving in the grottoes, exploring secluded swimming spots, snorkeling, playing outdoor games and admire the sunset.

To keep the chat in full swing, the Slumber Party organizes organized hikes to local drinking establishments – which seamlessly turn into an endless night of wandering from one club to another. We have reason to believe that the next day you will be seen basking in the sun – in a sun lounger or hammock.

X Hostel Varna – Varna, Bulgaria

If you have the courage to participate in X Hostel parties, then do not be surprised if you find an X tattoo on your leg early in the morning (as there are more than 200 representatives of the human race who have gone through this experience)! And there is a feeling that theme nights, cheap booze, meals for a large group, foam parties and pub trips quickly bring backpackers to the X Hostel.

Lounge in the local patio and garden – or kill the day dancing at the non-stop discos of the resort town in Golden Sands – just seven kilometers from the hostel. Discover Varna – a city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast: here you can go boating or horseback riding, with a stop at the port of Varna and with a visit to the Assumption Cathedral.

The Yak – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Where else can you combine a lesson on mixing mojito with dinner with new friends? Only in Mexican The Yak! Stunning beaches, stunning cenotes (natural pools) like Jardín del Eden and hot Mexican food are just some of the reasons to fall in love with Playa del Carmen. As for The Yak itself, the hosts take their guests to weekly beer games, barbecues, weekend themed parties and Mexican slang lessons.

Try to brace yourself and climb out of the hammock on the rooftop terrace: you'll probably find a bunch of friends at the hostel bar – or on one of the hostel's own excursions to nearby Tula and Koba, ancient Mayan ruins.

Francesco's Hotel and Hostel – Ios, Greece

The Cyclades are parties, beaches and villages, one more picturesque than the other; as much as your heart desires. A 20-minute walk from Francesco's Family Hostel, you can soak up the sun on the shores of the Aegean Sea. From the moment you wake up and enjoy a light breakfast on the rooftop terrace until the evening, when you have a bottle of ice cold beer at your disposal, you are enjoying the fantastic panoramas of the port and the sea, overlooking other islands.

Gaze at the blue sky as you sunbathe by the pool, or admire the blue dome of the Panagia Gremiotissa Church in Chora, the island's main village.

Start your evening with a couple of complimentary welcome drinks at Blue Note, the hostel's bar, and then head to the clubs, either lined up along Mylopotas Beach or in the old town. In the end, you can sleep off on the plane on the way home – from the nearest airport, which is located on the neighboring island of Santorini!

Balmers Hostel – Interlaken, Switzerland

Balmers Hostel is a renovated barn; hang out in one of eight hammocks and enjoy the Swiss Alps. Balmers Hostel is too beautiful to be true: it has a full all-inclusive breakfast – with fresh fruit, Swiss yoghurts, freshly baked bread! There is also a jacuzzi, a garden and the opportunity to sample some of the fantastic local beers right on the spot.

When you return from hang gliding, hiking or skiing, concentrate all your remaining energy on igniting the Balmers Club dance floor properly. And when your tired legs can no longer find their way back up, ask your new friends if you can fit into the Balmers tent city – since it is right here anyway.

Villa Saint Exupéry Beach – Nice, Francic

Imagine the ultimate holiday experience in a backpacker hotel: exactly what happens at Villa Saint Exupéry Beach Hostel. The old casino, with its giant stained glass windows, is just 20 meters from the city's main square – or from the beach. In such an environment, God himself commanded to pluck all the flowers of life – of which Nice is full. Yogis can sign up for daily yoga tours, while adventure romance fans can go diving, sailing, canyoning or water skiing.

Cote d'Azur is at your feet – I don't want to explore; all business – rent a car right at the hostel – and in one day to ride in France, Italy, and Monaco, and even turn around in time to catch happy hours in the cafe Le Guitry at the hostel.

Home hostels

The phrase “at home” seems to have been created for such hostels. Nice, cozy, spacious – that's about them. It seems that your grandmother will appear in the kitchen, and a cat will jump on the bed while you read. It is not noisy here like in party hostels, there is a bicycle rental, a laundry service, and breakfast in the morning. This is usually a small buffet with scrambled eggs, sausages, French toast, cereal, vegetables and fruits. Plus instant coffee and tea bags. This luxury is definitely not found in budget hostels.

How to identify

Positive ratings on aggregator sites, location in the city center and reviews “like home”, “clean and comfortable” or “I'll be back again, thanks for the pies.”

Toc Hostel, Seville

+ Located in a new building in the city center among the main attractions. A wide choice of accommodation: rooms for 6-8 people, double private rooms, family suites. Each bed has a lamp, shelves, sockets, has its own safe.

There is a tapas bar, restaurant, lounge, games room and terrace where you can sit at a table with a glass of Spanish wine after a walk. Washer, dryer, computers, even a small movie theater – everything is for you. Cozy and comfortable, even if you stay for a month.

– The hostel is large enough and roomy, so in spite of all the comfort, you may get the feeling that you have come to visit an Italian grandmother. And together with you, all the relatives came to the granny up to the seventh generation, and you do not know at all who it is.

How much is

From 1200 rubles per night in a room for 8 people. Breakfast can be ordered for 350 rubles.

Hostel myths

Hostel accommodation is for the poor

More than 40% of the guests staying in such establishments are people who have to travel to different countries for work, and they choose this type of accommodation. Therefore, staying at a hostel, you get a great chance to meet experienced travelers who simply value their funds, including you.

Hostels are a tribute to fashion

Many hoteliers believe that the hostel is a temporary fashion, and it will soon pass. This is not so, every year an increasing number of tourists resort to their services. Believing the statistics, there are already more than 20% of them.

A hostel is a hostel with uncomfortable dirty rooms and old furniture

Again, a delusion. The owners of mini-hotels keep track of their reputation and want tourists to come back to them again. Therefore, even in the economy version of the hostel, you will find a clean room with modern furniture. Some of them surprise with their design. For example, in Stockholm there is a hostel equipped in a real plane. When will you be able to spend the night in a room that once served as an airplane cockpit?

Hostels don't even have basic services

A myth spread by hoteliers. The establishments are equipped with everything you need, and some of them even have a swimming pool, sauna and bar. Some of the owners will help you decide on your leisure time. They will tell you which excursions are cheaper, what you just need to see in their city, help with calling an inexpensive taxi.

St Kilda

Base St Kilda (Melbourne, Australia) – The bar is lively every evening and hosts barbecues and events throughout the week.

In addition, the rooms and bathrooms are clean and very well maintained. Most people stay here for the atmosphere and location.

Bunk Hostels

In Istanbul (Turkey) Bunk Hostels attracts tourists with its affordable prices, location in the very center of the city and oriental design.

There is an amazing garden on the roof. There are many shops and cafes nearby.

Soul Kitchen

Having studied reviews of hostels in 170 countries of the world, we have identified the best mini-hostels, medium-sized and large hostels in the nominations. The best mid-sized hostel was the St. Petersburg hostel Soul Kitchen. It is located on the Moika embankment in a historic building. There are many magnificent monuments of history and culture nearby. There are separate rooms with shower and toilet, large family rooms and, of course, multi-bed rooms with curtains that cover the beds. The common living room has several laptops, sofas on which to read and relax. Tourists can prepare their own meals in the shared kitchen with dining area.

All of these hostels embody the features that every traveler values: friendly staff, warm atmosphere, competitive prices, comfortable beds, clean amenities and that special charm that makes the place unforgettable.

We Love F. Tourists, Lisbon

The hotel is located in a house that was built 250 years ago. The hostel is the best in the area, as it is decorated with medieval architecture and has a high level of service. Breakfast is included in the price.

Stamps Backpackers, Chiang Mai

The hostel resembles a huge private house, divided into large rooms with high ceilings. Authentic interior sets the hotel apart from all others. The price of accommodation includes meals, which are developed according to a special recipe of a local chef.

Travelers Oasis, Cairns

This hotel is a true paradise for travelers. The hostel has its own swimming pool, several lounges and a cozy dining room.

Adventure Q2, Queenstown

The hostel is located literally in the center of Queenstown. It consists of several small rooms that are fully equipped. There is also a hall where movie nights are held.

conclusions

Having learned what a hostel is, having familiarized yourself with the living conditions in it, having studied all the pros and cons of this type of accommodation, you will make a choice based on the following alternative: choose a hostel, saving your budget for excursions and souvenirs, or give preference to a hotel, having received the whole range services and luxury apartments, but at the same time spending much more money. And remember, a hostel is not just a place to sleep, it is a whole indescribable atmosphere that must be felt at least once in a lifetime, and besides, it is a great opportunity to meet interesting people from different countries!

Sources used and useful links on the topic: https://idealtrip.ru/polza/hostel.html https://J.Etagi.com/ps/chto-takoe-hostel/ https://Lifehacker.ru/15-hostelov -evropy / https://www.momondo.ru/discover/luchshie-hostely-mira https://www.aviasales.ru/blog/7-tipov-hostelov https://www.syl.ru/article/161368 / new_chto-takoe-hostel-hostel-nomera-foto https://AviationToday.ru/samoe-interesnoe/luchshie-xostely-mira.html https://joy-pup.com/travels/luchshye-hostely-mira/

Post source: lastici.ru

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