For some people, the first impression of hostel is parties, cheap beds, and kidnapping (thanks to series of horror films). As much as I love the comfort of hotels, sometimes I prefer staying at hostels just for different vibes and crowds.
Truth, there's some really shady and even dangerous hostels out there because of the crowd and location, but some hostels are really clean, quiet and , even reinforce curfews nightly with highly secure entry policy.
I am going to tell you a few hostels that I have stayed in the past, the good and the bad. So, if you want to get away for a few days or for a long period of time, but need something that's budget friendly, maybe stay at a hostel for a change. Some hostels also do trades, let you stay for free as long as you work as a temp staff.
Sorry, I am not mentioning names.
Christian Hostel next to Red-light District
Amsterdam, Netherlands
I'd say location is important for hostels in Amsterdam. I stayed at 2 hostels in city center and had different but interesting experiences. The first hostel I stayed was a Christian Hostel next to the Red-light District. The hostel was a 15-min walk from Amsterdam Centraal. The staff was great. They tried to put together different activities (mini concert, poetry reading, etc) and local snacks every night for travellers to join. Rooms and bathrooms were clean. I just did not realize it was next to Red-light till I got there. I mean, it wasn't bad, just funny.
I had a rental bike with me for a couple days. Every night, before the crowd came, I'd lock the bike to a handrail by the canal. Every morning, I picked up the bike and the girls from the windows would waive at me saying good morning.
Hostel with a Popular Bar and a Smoke Room
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The other hostel in Amsterdam was farther away from Red-light but still inside city center. Instead of red-light, it was located on a shopping street with bars. I honestly do not remember the room, only how popular the bar was on the main floor. Bartenders also worked as front desk staff, like Moxi Hotels. There was also a security gate at the entrance, only hostel guests and their friends could come in. There was also a smoke room in the back and a staircase that led up to the rooms. I cannot tell you how many people I met in that smoke room were also from Dubai, where I lived at the time. Do be careful when a new friend give you food/snack. I met a sweet French guy who gave me a cupcake that knocked me out the entire night.
Hostel That Has a Famous Architectural Design
Rotterdam, Netherlands
The coolest hostel in terms of architectural design but strange living spaces. This hostel is so famous, you must have seen it on TV or on some Architectural magazines before. Alright, here's a photo of it. The design was inspired by forest trees.
The rooms were compact. 2 bunker beds, 4 travellers at a time. Location was good. In the center of Rotterdam by the old harbor with subway station nearby. The hostel also offers bike rental.
Hostel that No One Sleeps
Koh Pha Ngam, Thailand
Possibly the worst hostel I had ever stayed. But to its defense, no one goes to Koh Pha Ngam to sleep. Hostel is a place to keep our simple luggage safe for a night or 2. Okay, maybe doze off a little bit after Full Moon Party till we had to catch a boat back to mainland to sleep in a proper hotel room later.
The hostel owner was great, friendly and super nice. However, the design of the bathroom was just awful. There was only 1 bathroom for 3 roomful of travellers. Each tiny room had 8 beds and full. Bathroom had 1 shower, 1 sink, and 1 toilet. The strangest thing of all was the window. The window was an air vent that connected to the kitchen. So whenever the kitchen was cooking, the fumes came to the bathroom, where we showered. I walked out of shower feeling even dirtier than before.
Scary Hostel
Somewhere in South Taiwan
The scariest hostel ever. Honestly, I don't remember how I found this hostel online and even decided to stay there for 2 nights. Staff was friendly and warm but the long long hallway that led to the rooms was cold, dark, and empty. Even the room was the same. I felt very uncomfortable sitting in the room so I called my friend who lived in that city. She offered her place for me stay after she found out where I was staying. I checked out at the front desk right away.
Luxurious Hostel
Prague, Czech Republic
All around 5 stars. It's inside an alley but the same alley has low-key bars, a small market, and restaurants. It's also quiet. I got a private room with balcony overlooking the palace. The room had a great layout and cool gadgets. The windows were completely automatic. It adjusted itself according to sunlight. The bathroom doors had auto fog-up feature. Large closet. Super comfortable bed. Private staircase that led up to private rooms. Cool artworks and sculptures everywhere. A large bar on the main floor. Really comfortable common area.
It was a little farther away from Praha Hlavni Nadr (Prague main station) but a short walk to the Vltava River and a few tram stops.
Capsule Hotel
Tokyo, Japan
One of the most famous accommodations in Japan. Capsule hotel, or pod hotel, offers each traveller a simple bed size "room" that is as big as a single size bed with a small TV mounted to the wall, a build-in speaker, some towels, power outlet, and bed linen. Number of pods in each room varies, usually 25+.
I find capsule hotel convenient because it's either nearby or close to metro/train stations. It was very easy for me to catch a train or for my friends to visit me. I don't know about men's room, but women's room was very quiet. Bathroom area was clean as well.
Originally, this type of hotel was created for businessmen, who are too drunk to get home safely and need to get up early to go to work the next day. They would rent a bed to sleep and shower for work in a few hours. Capsule hotel is cheap, from $15 to 35 dollars a night. Travelers share a lounge common area, bathrooms, and laundry room. It's safe to stay in capsule hotel because they either have separate rooms or floors for female only travelers.
It's actually fun to try it out.
Not a Hostel but...
Berlin, Germany
Well, this last one is not a hostel but Moxy does get the vibe for it. I like describe it as "something like a hostel on steroid." If you are tired of the normal hotel options and still want daily housekeeping service, try Moxy. It's super hip and cool, especially the one in Berlin. Moxy does not have a front desk, the bartender is your front desk staff. They check you in and make you a complimentary drink. If anything else is needed, they are the go-to persons. Each Moxy is tailored to its location. Berlin Moxy has a lot of graffiti because of the Berlin Wall. Travelers are free to add new graffiti too. Rooms are simple but comfy with cool designs. There's always very modern artwork in all Moxy's hallways. Location wise, it's far from the city, but luckily, a train station is only steps away. Moxy does have nice bar and at night, crowds tend to gather, both travelers and local. Fun atmospheres and great to meet people.
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