Lets start with this: If you’ve seen Eli Roth’s movie Hostel, please purge that from your brain. Hostels are safe, cheap and filled with people looking for a great time. Hostels are better than hotels for many reasons. If you’re wondering ‘how’ then keep reading my friend.

1) Hostels are Better Whether You’re Traveling with Friends or Solo

Lets start with travel style. Considering people travel alone, or with friends, you can do both here. Hostels charge you by the bed which means if you’re traveling with a group chances are you can get a group in the same room with you. I met several groups of friends traveling together in a London hostel. Although, after staying there for a week most of them said they met amazing people whom they rather hang out with.

Hostels also have private rooms! It’s a win-win.

It’s a solo traveler’s ideal accommodation. I prefer solo travel because hostels are made for this kind of thing. You get a bed for cheap. Sometimes as little as $2 USD per night (depending on the country of course.) You share a room with a bunch of people you don’t know. These people, although you don’t know it yet, will become your new friends. It’s pretty incredible how it all happens.

My point is whether you travel alone or with friends hostels have great options for both types of travelers.

2) Making Friends is Easier in Hostels

If you prefer the solo travel life, like me, then you’re in luck. Since hostels book by the bed there’s always space!

Even if you’re traveling alone staying in a room full of strangers is not as scary as you think. First of all, yes they’re strangers. Usually, these strangers become your best friends. Seriously. I’ve made some life-long friends this way.

The fact that you’re out of your element opens you to new possibilities. You’ll discover that you can be outgoing. You’ll learn that talking to that stranger with the pink hair wasn’t as hard as you thought. More importantly you’ll realize that the chick with the dreadlocks is fun and amazing and you’ll want to join her on her next adventure. You’ll discover a world of possibilities.

You’ll make friends at hostels quickly. I can’t say hotels are built for public interaction. Most people stay at hotels with people they want to interact with.

Hostels are way friendlier.

A few pictures of hostels worldwide:

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3) Hostels Are Way Cheaper than Hotels

When it comes to price, hostels cannot be outdone. I once got a night in a hostel in Costa Rica for $2 USD per day. In fact, during that trip I found an amazing tree house hostel located inside the Costa Rican jungle. It was beautiful and magical but it was $20 per night. I was so used to the $2 USD prices, I decided that was too much. Let me tell you, $20 is NOT expensive for a beautiful tree house accommodation and a lifetime worth of memories.

Hostels vary in price. Private rooms are more expensive, sometimes they’re just as much as hotel rooms. But why would you stay in a private room when you can do that at any ol’ hotel? I paid 18 Euros per night at my hostel in Athens, and it came with built-in friends! That’s what you call a steal!

I’m currently looking for hostels in Las Vegas and they’re going for $25 USD per night. In Las Vegas? That’s unheard of!

3) Hostels offer lots of FREE STUFF

Don’t you love when a hotel says things are included with the price? It makes me wonder if they need my first-born as a deposit. Hostels also come with free things but they’re way cooler than you would think.

Most hostels have free continental breakfast included. That’s one less thing you have to buy, making your overall trip that much cheaper. I can’t say hotels make me think of cheap travel.

Other hostels include a free drink with your booking. Some have free concerts and parties. I was at a hostel in Amsterdam at one point and it gave me access to their underground club for free. It was a lot of fun.

Speaking of free, many hostels have free walking tours. Want to learn the history of the city you’re staying in? Ask your hostel if they offer free tours. Free stuff is good in my book.

4) Hostels Offer Unique Experiences

Many hostels around the globe are so cute it’s unbelievable. Often, you experience your destination like the locals because your hostel is inside an adobe New Mexican building. Perhaps you’re literally on the sand in beach huts. You’ll wake up and jump in the sand. Hostels can also look like luxury hotels. They can be extremely clean, sleek and comfortable. They come in more shapes and sizes than hotels do.

Your hostel may come with a unique hammock area. It may have an inexpensive bar. Maybe it’s the building itself that’s totally unique. The hostel experience will be different each time.

Check this one out:

5) Hostels Have Great Amenities Too!

You should be aware that hostels often have pools. Dont worry, you’re not sacrificing the pool because you chose to stay at a budget hostel.

Many hostels have laundry facilities as well. You can choose to do laundry for cheap. I gotta say, it’s always a treat when I can do laundry without putting down $50 for three pair of socks.

Lets talk about the kitchen. Every hostel I’ve stayed in has a kitchen! This means, instead eating out every day and spending tons of money on expensive restaurants, you can go grocery shopping. You can buy some sandwich stuff (or whatever you want to cook,) store it in the fridge and cook it later. This is a huge advantage if you want to save money.

There’s nothing wrong with eating out. This is just another way a hostel helps you save money. Also grocery stores are a slice of culture you should experience in every country. Trust me on this!

6) If You’re a Gay Male, Like Me, Hostels Got You Covered!

Last summer I stayed in a gay, male only hostel. I didn’t really know what I would find. OH MY GOD! My experience was incredible. Not only did I make friends but I made friends with benefits… which included benefits like eating together, going clubbing together, exchanging Facebook information and tips and tricks about the city. There are several gay hostels located throughout the world where you can find your unique getaway experience. You can read all about my gay hostel experience, here!

Let Me Break It Down For You:

When it comes to travel, I always choose a hostel. I’ve made more memories in hostels than at any luxe hotel. I’ve become best friends with people worldwide (and we still keep in touch.) I learned that traveling alone is more fun than traveling with someone I know (even someone I know really well.)

In fact, I should mention the only reason I stay at hotels nowadays is when I’m traveling with my partner. That’s because he only wants to interact with me. Although it’s sweet of him, hostels have spoiled me.

Hostels have thought me that traveling can be done on a budget and for long periods of time. Its taught me independence and that I can do anything I put my mind to. They’ve given me the freedom to see the world.

If you’re still questioning if you should book that hostel, DO IT! Make your own experiences and let me know about your awesome adventures in the comments, or on Instagram!

Thinking of booking a hostel? I use HostelWorld.com. They have a large network of places around the world. They’re easy to deal with. Click on any banner you see to take you to Hostel World. I should let you know that they are affiliate links, this means if you choose to book a room at a hostel I’ll get a commission and you’ll be supporting my website! Go have the time of your life! You deserve it!

Just a few more UNIQUE hostels around the globe:

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