The pros and cons of staying in a hostel

Hostels have picked up a negative stigma over the years. People often label them as dirty, dangerous, and unsafe. In order to widen people's views on hostels, here are the pros and cons of staying in a hostel.

Pros

Money

Hostels are usually significantly cheaper than paying for a hotel room. Sharing a rooms with others is mostly why hostels are cheaper than hotels, this is why it is usually much more cost effective to stay in a hostel if you are a solo traveller. Almost all hostels have kitchen areas where you can cook food rather than pay to eat out, saving you even more pennies.

Sociability

Hostels can be very sociable places. Many often have large socialising areas including bars, restaurants, and lounges. Many travellers staying in hostels will each have an interesting story to tell as to why they are there, and would more than likely be happy to share it with you. Dorms and kitchens can also be good places to chat and socialise.

Gain top tips

Use the sociability factor of hostels to get the most out of your trip. Many of the other travellers staying there will be able to give you some of their top tips about the area, from what they have learnt and experienced over the course of their stay.

Cons

Sharing a room

Sharing a rooms with others is mostly why hostels are cheaper than hotels. Although sharing a room can be beneficial due to the costs and the sociability, it does have its downsides. Not all travellers may be as considerate as you. Other travellers may play their music out loud, snore, or talk when others are trying to sleep. If you experience this, try talking to them politely. If this doesn’t work, talk to the reception staff.

Not as safe

As hostels have dorms which are shared with several other people, you do not have the same standards of safety as you would be staying in a hotel. Although most hostel experiences are fine, we advise that you do not to leave your valuables around, and that you should take pad locks with you for your suitcase, bags, locker etc. in order to keep your valuable safe and secure.

Not as exciting and fancy facilities

Hostels should never be compared to hotels, as they are only really there to serve one purpose - budget accommodation. Hotels mostly have fancier services and facilities, as people who want them will pay for them. Hostel services and facilities are usually basic and level out with the money paid.

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