Sure, you may encounter a messy roommate from time to time or a lazy traveller who didn\u2019t clean up properly after themselves in the kitchen. But when it comes to the cleanliness of your bed, sheets, bathroom, floors, and common spaces \u2013 everything is just as well looked after as the nearest hotel.<\/p>\n
Still not convinced? Take a look at some other Hostelworld\u2019s annual HOSCAR award winners<\/a> to get a taste of what you can expect.<\/p>\n Star Hostel Taipei Main Station\u00a0<\/a>won a 9.7 score for cleanliness in our annual Hoscars.<\/em><\/p>\n False.<\/p>\n Unless of course cosy rooms, heated blankets and four different types of bath to get your snuggle\u00a0on sounds a little too party for you \u2013 in which case, the amazing Yudanaka Seifu-so in Japan<\/a> is probably not for you (said no one, ever).<\/p>\n Or the\u00a0Giggling Tree hostel in China<\/a>. A stay at this hidden beauty in a little Chinese village in Yangshuo promises cycling along the rice fields, bamboo rafting on the Li River and hiking to the Green Lotus Peak. The hostel has its own pool to lounge next to and there\u2019s even a chef who cooks up delicious local dishes every night.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re after a zen hostel experience, check out some of these popular yoga hostels<\/a> that are sure to soothe your mind and soul, or take a look at the best surf hostels around the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yudanaka Seifu-so in Japan\u00a0<\/a>know a thing or two about relaxation.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Thanks to a certain 2005 horror film (Hostel<\/em> \u2013 we\u2019re looking at you), hostels can get a bad safety rap. Luckily, hostels in real life aren\u2019t a horror\u00a0film plot. So yes, this myth is indeed FALSE.<\/p>\n Hostels are actually really safe. They\u2019re staffed all day and night, most have security cameras, and there are lockers to put all your belongings in when you\u2019re sleeping or out exploring.<\/p>\n Take a look at Russian hostel Soul Kitchen in St Petersburg<\/a>. Alongside 24-hour security and reception, security lockers, safety deposit boxes and key card access, Soul Kitchen blend the privacy of a hotel with a hostel social vibe and stunning interior design. And all of our hostels have a security rating from other travellers so you can check before you book to put your mind at ease.<\/p>\n Russian hostel Soul Kitchen in St<\/a> Petersburg\u00a0<\/a>is safe, clean and oh so Insta-worthy.<\/em><\/p>\n False. Hello, private rooms.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not just talking shabby private rooms with a place to lay your head at night. Nowadays, these private rooms are rivalling some of the best and coolest hotels in the world. Not sold? Just take a look at TOC Hostel in Barcelona<\/a> whose Superior Sweet comes with its own private roof terrace (!) for those times that you\u2019re not sipping gin and tonics by the rooftop pool (!!).<\/p>\n Valencia Lounge Hostel<\/a> in Valencia is on the top of #designinspo Pinterest boards.<\/em><\/p>\n How about this incredible bed in Onas Hostel & Suites, Argentina<\/a>. Right in the heart of C\u00f3rdoba, this hostel has a pool, grill restaurant, an indoor forest and the most instagramable reception in Argentina (probably). Should I keep going? Take a look at our favourite hostel private rooms<\/a> for more inspo.<\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t want to spend the extra cash on a private room, the hostels of the world have heard our cries for privacy and redesigned their interiors. Check out hostels like Home Lisbon Hostel<\/a> in Lisbon or Sputnik Hostel & Personal Space in Moscow<\/a>, who create little private nooks of heaven in even their biggest dorm rooms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Basic<\/strong> (adj): Devoid of defining characteristics that might make something interesting, extraordinary, or\u00a0just\u00a0simply worth devoting\u00a0time\u00a0or attention to.<\/em><\/p>\n Hostels are basic? False. False, false, false.<\/p>\n How many people do you know who\u2019ve slept in\u00a0a bed built into an old fiat car at\u00a0Hostel and Garten Eden<\/a> in Leipzig, or a bright green camper van inside\u00a0Kingkool<\/a>\u00a0in The Hague or in a converted jumbo jet at\u00a0Jumbo Stay<\/a>\u00a0in Sweden?<\/p>\n That\u2019s what I thought.<\/p>\n Jumbo Stay<\/a> gives new meaning to the mile high club\u00a0\ud83d\udcf7@taylorcooperband<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n False. Hostels are incredibly diverse when it comes to travellers \u2013 everyone is welcome whether you\u2019re a 20-year old backpacker or a 75-year old travel enthusiast who just loves meeting new people.<\/p>\n While you do come across those who\u2019ve been travelling for months (lucky them!), many hostel guests are simply popping in for a weekend getaway, on a summer vacation or are just there for the rooftop swimming pool and bar vibes \u2013 we\u2019re looking at you Freehand Los Angeles<\/a>.<\/p>\n Freehand Los Angeles,\u00a0<\/a>where you might just never want to leave the pool.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Hostels are cheaper than hotels \u2013 true.<\/p>\n Only people on a budget stay at hostels \u2013 false.<\/p>\n Sure, a standard hotel is fine, but if you\u2019re looking for dreamy rooftop pools, incredible views, buzzing outdoor garden bars and some of the most instagramable interiors around \u2013 move over hotels and make way for the new wave of luxury hostels.<\/p>\n From watching films in indoor teepees to free yoga in the garden, hostels are pioneering a new kind of travel luxury that\u2019s far more interesting than a generic hotel room, like\u00a0Kex,<\/a> a boutique hostel, bar, restaurant and jazz club all in one, in the centre of Reykjavik.<\/p>\n We want to hang out all day in this luxe lobby at Kex<\/a>, Reykjavik.<\/em><\/p>\n False. Oh boy, do hostels have amenities.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with the basics \u2013 wifi. Unlike many hotels, most hostels have free wifi. Loads of them have computers you can use and some hostels like Ostello Bello Grande<\/a>\u00a0even go the extra mile and provide guests with free mobile Wi-Fi devices.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s the extras that make so much sense, yet you don\u2019t come across in a generic hotel. Take for example Backpackers Villa Hostel<\/a>\u00a0in Switzerland, who have a meditation room in case you\u2019re having trouble switching off.<\/p>\n How about at\u00a0The Yellow<\/a>\u00a0in Rome who have a co-working space to catch up on work, or\u00a0Urban House<\/a>\u00a0in Copenhagen with a live music bar, billiards lounge, a designated quiet room and the added bonus of a bicycle shop.<\/p>\n Amenities \u2013 come at me!<\/p>\n Want a haircut? A tattoo? A co-working space? The Yellow<\/a>\u00a0in Rome has it all.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The only thing that all hostels have in common is value for money and the opportunity to meet other travellers. Two excellent common features \u2013 and that\u2019s pretty much where the similarities end.<\/p>\n Big or small, luxury or budget, boutique, unusual or classic, every hostel is different and that\u2019s what we love about them!<\/p>\n Lucky Lake Hostel<\/a>\u00a0in Amsterdam\u00a0is an opportunity to stay in a multi-coloured cabin paradise with an outdoor kitchen and a bright yellow breakfast bus, while the\u00a0Skyewalker Hostel<\/a> in the Isle of Skye has an incredible glass dome that lets you gaze at the stars and fulfil your inner astronomer\u2019s dream.<\/p>\n Whether you can\u2019t give up your luxury, crave something design-focused, prefer things a little quirky or are in desperate need of an eco retreat \u2013there\u2019s a hostel for everyone\u2019s travel taste.<\/p>\n Stargazing at\u00a0\u00a0Skyewalker Hostel<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n False. I refer you back to point 4 \u2013 Hello, private rooms.<\/p>\n Being in a relationship doesn\u2019t mean you suddenly have to miss out on all the fun vibes<\/a>. Not only are hostels better for your budget, modern hostels have serious style and if you check into a private room, you\u2019ll feel like you\u2019ve escaped to your very own luxury boutique hotel.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re travelling with your other half, staying in a private room gives you the best of both worlds – the privacy of your own space and the perks of staying in social, cool, unique and<\/em> budget-friendly accommodation. Win-win.<\/p>\n Am. Never. Leaving. Ever.\u00a0Ember Hostel, Denver<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Kamila is a travel and lifestyle writer from Australia, currently based in\u00a0Paris while she attempts to learn French and eat as much pastry as possible. She\u2019s passionate about exploring new countries like a true local, immersing herself in new cultures and hunting down the best coffee wherever she goes. Follow her adventures on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and on her blog\u00a0London New Girl<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":137486,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"hw_related":"[{\"id\":19746,\"score\":0.82589999999999996749266983897541649639606475830078125,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":34591,\"score\":0.81579999999999996962429804625571705400943756103515625,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":1276383,\"score\":0.7941000000000000280664380625239573419094085693359375,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":1276338,\"score\":0.7678000000000000380140363631653599441051483154296875,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":1275032,\"score\":0.75280000000000002469136006766348145902156829833984375,\"hook\":\"\"},{\"id\":1294358,\"score\":0.74709999999999998632205233661807142198085784912109375,\"hook\":\"\"}]","footnotes":""},"categories":[9473],"tags":[264331],"class_list":["post-62814","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-hostel-life","wpbf-post"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/star-hostel-taipei.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels are only for partying<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/yudanaka.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels aren\u2019t safe<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Soul-kitchen1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels have no privacy<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/valencia-lounge-hsotel1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/onas-hostel-cordoba.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels are basic<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/taylorcooperband.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels are only for hardcore travellers<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/freehand-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels are only for people who can\u2019t afford hotels<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/kex.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels don\u2019t have amenities<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/yellow-rome.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels are all the same<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/skyewalker.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHostels are only for singles<\/h2>\n
![\"Hostel](\"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/ember-hostel-denver-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAbout the author<\/h2>\n