Travel is back. Well, domestic travel, that is. Accommodation can make or break a trip and we all know hostels have a dubious reputation. Alas, sometimes budgets don't allow for anything more so here's what you need to consider when booking a hostel.
1. Price – There is only one place to begin, and this is with the price of staying in the hostel in question. After all, the main reason for choosing this accommodation is because it is one of the cheapest options, and so you want to make sure that it actually will be. Nevertheless, you should never simply search for the cheapest hostel you can find, as you are almost certain to suffer from a lack of quality. It is a balancing act.
2. Location – Some of the best hostels are located in the city centre, making it easy for you to explore everything the city has to offer. You will find it much easier and more enjoyable to stay in a location like this, especially if you only have a limited time in the city, which is usually the case as most people come to cities for long weekends and such like.
Discover how close you are to the shopping centre and any significant attractions in the area.
3. Facilities – A lot of people have a tendency to assume that staying in a hostel means they are going to have nothing in terms of facilities. However, this is not always the case. From Wi-Fi access to en-suite bathrooms, there are many extras that are offered to guests, so it is certainly worth checking this out.
4. Sleeping Arrangements – Some people are quite happy to share a dorm with complete strangers. However, there are other people who could think of nothing worse. Hostels do offer private dorms, as well as rooms to be shared, and there are shared rooms but for females only. Therefore, the sleeping arrangements are something you need to consider very carefully.
5. Reviews – Last but not least, it is always a good idea to read reviews that have been left by people that have stayed in the hostel before. This is the best way to get an honest insight regarding the stay you are going to experience. If a hostel has a bad reputation, let’s say it is dirty or the staff is unfriendly, this is something you should be able to pick up on quite easily, as you are bound to find plenty of negative comments on the Internet.
