My friend, Cathy, introduced me to hostels in 2009. I will admit that the experience was a bit of a learning curve; sleeping in a dorm with limited privacy or personal space.
I will admit today that my preferred lodging experience is a hostel; when I can’t find a hostel, I look at AirBnB; when I can’t find an AirBnB, I look at Priceline; when I can’t find an affordable motel, I typically search for free dispersed camping at the Bureau of Land Management.
I am both shy and introverted; If I stay at a motel, I’m very likely to close the door, turn on the television, and never emerge until it’s time to check-out and depart.
I appreciate that hostels are affordable; at an average rate of $35 per night, it’s possible to stretch out a person’s travel dollars. I appreciate the sense of community, learning from other travelers, stretching outside my comfort zone, and finding ways to be curious without judgment. Hostels often have small kitchens, which means that it’s also possible to save money with the intention to eat healthy, rather than going out to eat.
Some hostels are better than others; I’ve stayed at some hostels that are better than any motel; I’ve stayed at other hostels which might be better off bulldozed into the ground. Better hostels have bathrooms with hooks to hang clothes and towels, and shelves to place toiletries while cleaning-up. Better hostels have lockers to secure valuables such as laptops and other electronics. Better hostels have a lounge or common area to hang out, work on a laptop, talk with other guests, read a book, practice yoga, or watch television. Better hostels have enough power supplies to charge electronics for many guests. Better hostels have available parking, access to public transportation, and access to stores to stock up on food or supplies.
Hostels are not as popular in the United States and North America, as they are in Europe and overseas. Further, the pandemic has been damaging to both the travel industry and US-based hostels. Some hostels have temporarily closed; others have permanently closed; thankfully, other hostels have found ways to remain open by modifying operations.
If you are going to stay in a hostel, it’s often helpful to have earplugs (so that you’re not disturbed by the snoring of other people); facemask or eyeshade (so that you’re not disturbed by light if you go to bed earlier than other people), and a padlock to secure your valuables.
Some of the hostels where I’ve stayed more than once:
- Cowboy Bunkhouse (Kanab UT)
- Just south of Zion National Park and Pipe Spring National Monument
- Gardner Hotel & Hostel (El Paso TX)
- Located in the center of downtown El Paso
- Freehand (Los Angeles CA)
- Centrally located; complementary breakfast; pool and patio on the roof
- HI Fisherman’s Wharf (San Francisco CA)
- Wonderful views of Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fort Mason
- HI J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Hostel (Chicago IL)
- Located in the heart of Chicago; walking distance from Amtrak Union station
- HI Marin Headlands (Sausalito CA)
- Wonderful location to explore Golden Gate National Recreation Area
- HI Point Reyes Hostel (Point Reyes CA)
- Located in the heart of Point Reyes National Seashore; no WiFi or cell signal
- Hostel Obispo (San Luis Obispo CA)
- Enjoyable place to rest when driving the California coast
- Music City Hostel (Nashville TN)
- Affordable place to stay, free parking; walking distance to downtown Nashville
- Phoenix Hostel (Phoenix AZ)
- Centrally located when visiting national parks and monuments in Arizona
- Site 61 (New Orleans LA)
- Wonderfully restored building; laid back; not a party hostel despite its location
- The Hostel (Jackson Hole WY)
- Likely the most affordable housing option in a very expensive destination resort
garthmonroe 