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[thebackpacker]

i never stayed in a hostel, but will once i start backpacking. i was wondering if they are clean and safe. any tips on which ones to go to and any does and don'ts at a hostel

[siscri]

That's a pretty broad question, but in general I love hostels. I love the atmosphere and the people and all the little facilities. They can be odd to get used to at first, but now I can't imagine staying in a hotel instead.

For tips, where in particular are you thinking?

There was a discussion about hostels in Australia in particular before and this is what I said then:

In terms of safety they generally provide a personal locker in your room. You'll have to provide your own padlock for it. I never had anything stolen. The few people I met who had been robbed were due to leaving stuff out.

As for cleanliness it's a pick'n'mix (I realise that's the wrong word but I was thinking about pick'n'mix). Some of them are remarkably clean and in great condition for the amount you're paying, but you get a few which aren't quite so good. Still, I don't remember any real nightmares.

As a male I can't say what it's like for a female to share. But I met alot of cool people to party with due to sharing rooms so it's all good. If you feel uncomfortable about sharing with guys then alot of hostels have girl only rooms.

Dos and Don'ts? I get a slight case of room rage due to snoring, rustling plastic bags at night, turning on random lights, loud breathing, people talking and singing in their sleep, loud ticking clocks, and people letting their alarms ring for 20 minutes. But I got used to it and can sleep through it all now.

[rbisset]

Snoring hardly ever affected me at all, only a few times in a year! I was probably the culprit on a few (more than a few....) occassions but when you've had a tiring day and copious bevies it can't be helped.

Rustling bags at night can be a pain in the arse but again sometimes can't be helped with people coming and going all the time.

Look for hostels with good facilities, a decent communal area, smaller dorms are much better! Alarms were a pain in the arse in some large dorm rooms in Aus as you can bet someone will be working at 5am!

[whereshegoes]

I agree the smaller the room, the better. And if you can do same sex rooms, do it. Especially if you are a female because we all know, boys smell

But seriously, the front desk staff at a hostel can really tell alot. I find that if they are friendly and helpful from the start, I usually have a great stay. Cleanliness is pretty important as well. You don't want to be picking up any bugs or funguses while you are travelling. That would really put a damper on your trip.

I really like hostels that care about the "little" things, like FREE TEA. I have said it before, and I will say it again. There is just something that reminds me of home when I can come home from a long day or trekking or exploring and curl up in the common room with a cuppa.

Oh yeah, a good common space is important. An important part of travel is making connections and this helps you to do that. When there is an area which lets people relax, unwind and share, it encourages happy hostel vibes. No one likes a cold, sterile hostel where no one talks to anyone else.

Do: Talk to everyone, especially that shy looking person in the corner who looks like they just fell off the plane. They are just friends waiting to be discovered and may even have some great advice for you.
Do: Share and help others whenever you can.
Do: Be respectful of others space and stuff.

Don't: Listen to your IPOD full blast when going to sleep at night. People CAN hear your music.
Don't: Leave your smelly shoes near your bed or in the room. Put them near an open window at least.
Don't: Get super drunk and crawl into bed with someone else because you "can't make it up to your top bunk" (Imagine how shocked I was when that dude even tried to steal my pillow!)

[ScottWoz]

Some great tips..

I generally found the smaller hostels better than those that are part of a chain or the ones pushing some big brand. Smaller dorms definitely have their benefits and can be more personal and interactive. I totally agree that you can tell a lot from the guys working on the front desk.

Hostels can also be entertaining. I've generally only stayed in 6-12 bed dorms, and therefore it could only have been sod's law when I suddenly found myself keeling over on a top bunk throwing my guts up (I did have a bucket) in a 22-bed dorm with a large audience. Do's and don'ts? I got food poisoning so I couldn't help it. I definitely don't bag rustle though, and if I'm shifting out early in the morning I'll get the majority out of the way the night before, or, take my stuff outside the dorm in the morning and pack away. Consideration every time.

Like siscri mentioned, these are the little things that can cause room rage. Considering your dormies goes a long way..

[whereshegoes]

Oh and if you wake up at 4am to catch your train and you think everyone is sleeping so you can just change in the middle of the room without everyone seeing you naked? Trust me. Someone is awake and watching. And you will be the talk of the breakfast table.

[rbisset]

Haha thats true! I've stayed in some really dodgy dorms with people staring all night. I normally changed hostel the next day.

A lot of hostels offer a reduced rate if you book for a whole week. Don't do it unless you've already stayed a night to give it a go!! I got stung twice with S*$#hole hostels in Aus and had no choice but to spend a week.

For the worst experience of what can happen in a hostel Click Here! Happened twice in a week.

[thebackpacker]

thanks for the tips, and i can't believe man someone would piss on someones bags like that must of had one to many.lol.

[whereshegoes]

Have fun Backpacker because I have to tell you, hostel life is really awesome! I have so many fond memories and friends from staying in these places.

I would recommend it highly to anyone who wants to grow!

[grumpytraveller]

I've been in a lot of hostels over the last few months (I'm in one in Auckland right now) and a couple of things I've started to look for are: communal areas away from sleeping areas, and avoid like the plague anywhere that calls itself a 'party hostel'. You can meet plenty of people without checking into a wannabe club 18-30.

As for cleanliness, I've been in a couple of places that were a little 'tired' looking, but nowhere truly horrible yet, touch wood. Try and check in advance on hostel review sites before you arrive somewhere to get a feel for a place, its what I've done its worked quite well so far.

Plus, if you want to avoid the bag rustling and the snoring, earplugs people! \o/

[stevejames]

does and don'ts at a hostel

BRING EARPLUGS

[whereshegoes]

I have found my best hostels through word of mouth. Most definitely SOMEONE in your current room has just come from where you are going and has some gem of advice. Most of the time, they weren't in guide books either.

[rbisset]

I wouldn't say earplugs are essential. I won't even be taking any next time! All depends how light a sleeper you are and how much booze you've had. I'm normally so knackered by the end of the day that I could sleep through an earthquake.

[whereshegoes]

One guy said he wouldn't bother with ear plugs because he had a big roll of duct tape. I wonder what he meant

[rbisset]

That is a brilliant story! It's 4am, I'm pissing myself laughing and on that queue it's time for bed

[wakingdream]

While in London, we stayed at the Ace Hostel on Gunterstone. Great place, decent price. Nice common area, great and super helpful staff, nice and clean and quiet rooms, pool and the whole shabang. There was even a lovely courtyard/garden area out back that I would've definitely enjoyed if it wasn't December! I haven't stayed in alot of 'proper' hostels, more guesthouse-type places, but I had a really good experience at the Ace. I have heard some pretty 'marish stories tho! Loveadventure, good on ya for making lemonade from Lemons! Sometimes the only thing to do is just accept it and hit the pavement when you get the chance! Hmm, is sleeping with rats that bad?? I've done it. They ( probably only the few brazen ones, but I imagined hundreds!) were actually crawling on me while I was sleeping. I bolted out of bed and turned the lights on just in time to see all the roaches scatter. Good times.

[adrianmurray]

Hostels - you can get the good, the bad and the ugly...

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...95000/tpod.html

The fear of someone throwing up on you... the Japanese guy in the hostel in Naples.

http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...43560/tpod.html

Cheesy Feet Guy in the hostel in Prague.

But you do get your great places. Think my favourite hostel was the Oki Doki Hostel in Warsaw. Top marks for inventive dorms or single rooms, clean share bathrooms, top breakfast, free internet, great bar.... and I don't go out of my way to namedrop or advertise.

But don't be put off. Go for it as hostel experiences are fantastic.

[thebackpacker]

that hostel sounds great in poland i'm thinking about visiting warsaw, don't know what there is to do over there anyone have any advice

[adrianmurray]

that hostel sounds great in poland i'm thinking about visiting warsaw, don't know what there is to do over there anyone have any advice

OK definitely book the OKI DOKI then in Warsaw. Seriously one of the top hostels I stayed in around the world. Really impressed. Oh, great kitchen too for those looking to cook for yourself on occasions. Had a backpackers dinner party there where we all communally shopped, cooked, drank, then all went out. Magic.

Didn't soend a great amount of time, but did make it all the way to Gdansk up north, which I actually found quite attractive. The old city in the middle was surprisingly vibrant. Krakow is a lovely city too, with the compulsory visit to Auschwitz a must to apreciate just how lucky you are.

[exploreamerica]

I enjoyed reading everyone's comments because it has brought back so many memories!!

For the "backpaker" it is tough to answer your question because hostels really range. I have been in some that are well kept and filled with activities (I am sure everyone knows Balmers) and others that are real S*$# holes. Three of my favorites for meeting people have been Balmers in Switzerland, one in Amsterdam (hell of hangout in the lobby) and I enjoyed a lot the one I sayed in for a week in Washington DC.
What countries are you planning on stating in for hostels?

As much as they all vary, the one piece of advice I could offer is to talk to people. Everyone is in the same boat as you...travling, loving the experience, and trying to do it on a cheaper budget. You can learn so much from meeting people here as you will hear stories about the area you are in so you will know exactly what to do yourself in that city, but you can also hear adventures these people have had the world over.