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Hostels

    Hostels Editor's Picks

    • About Youth Hostels

      No longer just for youths, hostels provide inexpensive, basic accommodations for travelers and can be found in most countries around the world. Travelers covering a lot of ground with little luggage, like backpackers, find "hostelling" a great way to meet interesting people and discover local places to explore, while staying away from... more »

    • How to Find a Good Hostel in Scotland

      For people travelling around Scotland, hostel’s provide good quality, comfortable accommodation at a reasonable price. Hostels have come a long way to shed their previous cheap and not so cheerful image. To find a good hostel in Scotland, look no further than the Scottish Independent Hostels Association. more »

    • How to Find a Hostel in Bangkok, Thailand

      If you're visiting Bangkok, Thailand, staying in a hostel is a great way to save a few dollars and meet fellow travelers. Thailand, like most countries, is riddled with hostels, and many are in Bangkok. more »

    • How to Find Budget Accommodations in London

      London may have earned a reputation as one of the most expensive cities in the world, but some forward planning and a little insider knowledge will help you find budget accommodations in London. Read on to learn how. more »

    • How to Stay at a Youth Hostel in New York City

      A trip to New York can be very expensive. A decent hotel in Manhattan can cost as much $250 or more a night. Staying at a youth hostel in New York will cost you about $30 a night. Although it's definitely a step down from a hotel, remember taht you're just there to sleep. You wouldn't want to spend all day hanging out in a hotel,... more »

    Hostels Quick Guides

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    Hostels Articles

    • About Hostels

      Seasoned travelers know that hostels provide secure budget accommodations. Depending on your destination, you can choose a hostel that caters to... more »

    • How to Find Hostels

      With travel costs on the rise, one place you can “cut the fat’ is with lodging. Hotels are wonderful, but sometimes the prices can... more »

    • How to Find Hostels in Canada

      Looking for budget travel these days is not simple. Even hostels can be expensive nowadays. Research your options before you book your hostel... more »

    • How to Find Hostels in Italy

      Looking for budget travel these days is not always easy, and it sometimes requires a lot of research. Whether you look on the Internet or in... more »

    • How to Find Hostels in North America

      You'll find lots of hostels to choose from as you travel across the United States and Canada, whether you're in a major destination city or a... more »

    Wikipedia

    Hostel

    Hostels provide budget oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, sometimes a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available. Hostels are generally cheaper for both the operator and the occupants; many hostels have long-term residents whom they employ as desk clerks or housekeeping staff in exchange for free accommodation.

    In a few countries, such as the UK, Ireland, India, and Australia, the word hostel sometimes also refers to establishments providing longer-term accommodation (often to specific classes of clientèle such as nurses, students, drug addicts, court defendants on bail) where the hostels are sometimes run by Housing Associations and charities. In the rest of the world, the word hostel refers only to properties offering accommodation to travellers or backpackers.

    Within the traveller category, another distinction can be drawn between hostels which are members of Hostelling International (HI), a UK-based, non-profit organization encouraging outdoor activities and cultural exchange for the young, and independently operated hostels. Hostels for travellers are sometimes called backpackers hostels, particularly in Australia and New Zealand (often abbreviated to just "backpackers").

    Differences from hotels

    There are several differences between hostels and hotels, including:

    # Hostels tend to be budget-oriented; rates are considerably lower, and many hostels have programs to share books, DVDs and other items.
    # For those who prefer an informal environment, hostels do not usually have the same level of formality as hotels.
    # For those who prefer to socialize with their fellow guests, hostels usually have more common areas and opportunities to socialize. The dormitory aspect of hostels also increases the social factor.

    Communal accommodation

    There is less privacy in a hostel than read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostel

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