Planning your next adventure and wondering where to stay? Finding the perfect hostel can make or break your travel experience, but with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find the best hostels that suit you to ensure you have the best time of your life!
Ratings and Reviews
When looking for a hostel, I would recommend avoiding places with a review score lower than 7 or 8. There are usually plenty of better-rated hostels available at great prices.
Hostelworld provides various categories such as security, location, staff, value for money, atmosphere, cleanliness, and facilities in its reviews. Although you should check all categories, the two most important ones are location and atmosphere.
If the hostel is far from the town, you may have to walk long distances or spend more money on taxis. It’s also not safe to walk alone at night or use taxis in some areas. Some hostels are not in the best location but still worth the visit. In that case, I check if they offer free shuttle services to and from the town or if walking or using taxis at night is safe around there.
Now one of my favorite things about hostels is how social they can be. So to make sure my hostel has a good vibe, I always make sure it has a high rating on atmosphere. I also try to avoid hostels where this rating does not match the overall score. For example, if a hostel overall scores a 9.8 but the atmosphere is at an 8.1.
Lastly, read the reviews from other travellers. Some may rate it highly, while others may hate it. Reading a few reviews gives you a general feel for the place. It also allows you to get an idea of the average age of the guests by looking at the age range displayed for each reviewer on Hostelworld.
Amount of Reviews & How Many People are Staying
It’s usually easy to spot the most popular hostels because they have lots of reviews from happy travelers—anywhere from hundreds to thousands! However, keep in mind that just because a hostel has lots of reviews doesn’t necessarily make it the best option. There are also plenty of awesome hostels that are new to the game or just smaller in size, so they might not have as many reviews yet.
If you’re looking for a hostel with a lively atmosphere, checking how many people are staying there during your trip is always a great idea.
Price
When it comes to choosing a hostel, remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best, nor is the most expensive one. You want to find a place that meets your needs and makes your stay enjoyable. Maybe you’re looking for a good location, a fun atmosphere, air conditioning, a pool, or just curtains on the beds. Whatever your preferences, make sure to set filters and choose a few hostels that meet your requirements.
Once you’ve done that, you can compare them in terms of value for money. You want to save money, but you also want to make sure you enjoy your stay. Even if you’re on a tight budget and just looking for a basic hostel to get some rest, I suggest filtering your search to show only hostels with a score of at least 7-8 and then sorting them from lowest to highest price. It’s not worth saving a few euros if it means staying in a hostel with a super-low score of 6 or lower.
Check-In and Check-Out Times
While most hostels have similar check-in and check-out times, it’s important to plan ahead if you’re arriving super late or early. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than arriving at 5 am and not being able to sleep or check-in until 2 pm nor is standing in front of locked doors in the middle of the night!
To avoid such situations, look for hostels with 24-hour reception or those that offer early check-ins. And if you can’t find this information online, don’t worry, just reach out to the hostel through email, phone, or even Instagram.
If early check-ins aren’t available, make sure you choose a hostel that has chill rooms with mattresses, sofas, or maybe hammocks where you can rest and catch some sleep before checking in.
So, just remember to plan ahead, check the hostel’s policies, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Activities, Common Area and Free Stuff
When it comes to choosing a hostel, the activities, common areas, and free stuff they offer can really make or break your experience.
If you are looking to socialize with other travelers, common areas and hostel bars are great places to do so. Smaller common areas with big tables are ideal for mingling and making new friends, and it avoids people spreading out too much and building small groups. I would recommend checking out the hostel’s pictures to see what they are like before booking.
Hostels that organize daily activities and events are usually more social and fun, as they make an effort to get everyone involved. Also, free things like breakfast, dinner, drinks, and walking tours are not only a great way to save money but also an opportunity to meet new people.
Facilities and Amenities
To make sure your stay is as enjoyable as possible, you want to take a look at the facilities and amenities offered by the hostel.
If you’re heading to a hot destination, choosing a hostel with a pool and air conditioning might be the way to go. And if eating out isn’t the cheapest option, finding a hostel with self-catering facilities will be a money-saver. Check out the kitchen pictures to make sure they have everything you need.
Don’t forget to look for basics like Wi-Fi and lockers. Browsing through the pictures to see if the beds have curtains, plugs, lights, and shelves can be a game-changer.
Social Media
Last but not least, I like to look at a hostel’s Instagram account if they have one. Reading about the activities and vibe is one thing, but seeing more pictures and videos of it might help you decide if this is the kind of place you are looking for or not.