What separates Great hostels from the Good

Most hostels offer budget accommodation and a bed to sleep, but some really stand out. So what makes a great hostel better than the good? We spoke to frequent travellers and here’s our insight from what they had to say.

“Designed to make Friends.”

Some of the best hostels have actively created cosy, engaging spaces to enable social gatherings. Interestingly, if a hostel has no communal areas, many travellers avoid booking it. Many of them even choose smaller hostels because bigger ones appear impersonal and they may not find a “vibe”.

“Cleanliness is Important, especially in the bathroom”.

Budget travellers don’t want to compromise on cleanliness. A good hostel, according to them, is one where the staff makes multiple rounds a day to ensure clean communal spaces. Some female travellers said that cleanliness levels in shared bathrooms was a major booking criteria for them.

“Warm, fun staff can make you overlook other problems”

Many travellers recall encounters where the staff was friendly, cool and mingled well with guests. We found that pleasant staff made a tremendous difference in travel experiences. An added bonus experience was when the staff was knowledgeable about local activities, culture and food.

“Location, location location”.

A well-connected hostel, in the centre of the action with minimal transport changes, is the perfect mix for the right location. The priority for travellers is convenience and connectivity to local experiences. If the hostel location is close to affordable restaurants and bars, that’s an added bonus!

“Too many rules and I’d just break them”.

Every hostel has certain rules, but if you find yourself plastering every wall with notes on hostels rule, stop and think. Hostels, which trust their guests and their ability to understand social norms scored higher with travellers. Some of them felt uncomfortable when hostels enforced school-like rules on them!

“Value through services”.

By this, we really just mean free stuff. Most travellers love feeling like they’re getting more for what they’ve spent. Free breakfast is the easiest hook. However, many travellers feel cheated if the breakfast is cleared early or is simply the classic toast and coffee duo. Great hostels make an effort to go beyond expectations by adding local delicacies to the menu with flexible breakfast timings.

Another facility which should always be free is WIFI. A hostel without Internet shouldn’t exist. Great hostels include internet connectivity in the original booking price.

It’s simple, really, the more services a hostel offers, the more experiences traveller remember. Many travellers spend a big chunk of their time on the road. Great hostels understand these users and have built in-house laundry facilities.

“Variety in Offerings”

While good hostels are affordable and provide for backpackers, great hostels offer a variety of rooms. No one wants to be packed into a large dormitory with 20+ beds, and over-crowding continues to be a norm at most hostels. Travellers love choice and often opt for private rooms with private bathrooms. Variety in room offerings is a way to ensure you have a diverse group of people in your hostel, not just bare-boned backpackers.

“I remember the city walk in Budapest…”

Great hostels create experiences and activities to allow travellers to make memories. Some fun experiences are city walks, community dinners and organised tours. These experiences are fun, convenient ways for travellers to understand and explore the city. Some hostels create book exchange clubs or organise educational excursions for curious travellers. Yoga classes, art and meditation, are other activities that keep travellers coming back for more.

“Safety is a huge concern for me”

One of the biggest fears for travellers on the road is their safety. Ensuring security measures within the hostel in unsafe neighbourhoods allow travellers to experience the culture without any fear.
Concern for valuables is also a big concern, as hostels can be a breeding ground for theft. Most great hostels provide personal lockers or storage facilities for additional security.

“ A Well-stocked kitchen is a must”

Great hostels in wealthier countries understand that not all budget travellers are going to eat meals outside. Sometimes the booking criteria for travellers is access to a kitchen! Great hostels ensure that the kitchen is well stocked with sufficient cooking equipment to serve a large number of people.

‘Local Dining Options and good coffee”

Great hostels pay close attention to dining options. Some of them have in-house bars and restaurants. The key difference between good hostels and great ones is just a “full-service” attitude. Apart from in-house facilities, great hostels are well connected to local restaurants and watering holes.

“A Pool is a Definite Plus”

This is more relevant in tropical countries, but a pool is definitely an added perk! Community pools make for a good social space, have a chilled out vibe are great to just cool down.

While facilities and experiences are subjective to the local area and the general vibe, great hostels have one thing in common. They understand their users and adapt to cater to their needs. The underlying message from all the travellers we spoke to, was that great hostels are guest-centric.