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A hostel is a ticket for those that love to socialize. 3 of us stayed in one in Harlem back in 2009, 2 of us not very social, my brother extremely sociable. He loved it! Socializing in the community kitchen, the community TV room and the community Internet room, rooftop deck, he could socialize all day long. It was his 1st hostel experience and it won't be his last. And, being a mechanic, he can certainly afford more expensive lodgings!
The problem with hostel socializing for me is that most other guests are much younger than me, at a totally different stage of life. I honestly don't think i have much in common with them. Yes, I can be friendly and talk to them but we're not going to be friends.
Hope the need for a hostel is not a unconscious desire to relive his twenties, even though that may not be your choice.
But seriously, you need to thresh it a bit more. How much would a hostel cost for both of you with the minimum amnesties you need. How much would a chain hotel or AirBnb for the same days cost. Is the cost difference significant. What will you do with the savings you achieve by living in a hostel? more travel, more restaurant food? More museums and sightseeing?
If you can do all that with an extra money you can afford, stay in a hotel. But make sure that you are on the same page before you start the trip and have no bickering or silent sulking during the trip.
Hostels don't mean only bunk rooms and shared bathrooms, they can encapsulate a wide variety of room options and the idea that they don't have private bathrooms, AC or hot running water is dated.
OP, if the options are either the chains you listed or finding some sort of alternative I would find prefer something else. There are so many different room choices now days, between Airbnb, hostels, local hotels and VRBO there is no reason to stay at an inferior chain. When I travel to touristy areas I have no problem finding superior rooms (with AC, private bathrooms, clean and comfortable accommodations) at much cheaper prices then a chain. Oh, and to top it off you can find ones that are much quieter if you look for them. A condo or small hotel/hostel just off the main drag will usually have more considerate neighbors then a family with screaming kids on vacation or a party of young adults on spring break.
Don't get hung up on labels. I stayed at a two star hotel in Rome, I remember when I asked to look at the room I was expecting something horrible, instead it was a clean, but sparse room, though the selling point was the massive marble bathroom and the view from the room. Price wise it was about the same as a private room in a hostel, included standard European breakfast, wifi, AC, it had extra pillows and blankets like a chain would, but was a fraction of the cost.
Hostels are great for the young traveler. It is a way for them to socialize and the price is right. For the average vacationer, there are much better ways to enjoy your time. I would have love to be a young person and enjoyed the adventure of hostel rooms. But that is as far as it goes.
The problem with hostel socializing for me is that most other guests are much younger than me, at a totally different stage of life. I honestly don't think i have much in common with them. Yes, I can be friendly and talk to them but we're not going to be friends.
Same here. We seem to always meet college kids on their "gap years".
I have been in many hostels where the majority of people were either in their 40's or older, especially as I got further off the beaten track.
Though, like I said, don't knock the little independent hotels, lots of hidden gems and it's easy enough to find them when you get to your destination. If you are not comfortable finding one on your own, use an app.
OP, I am sure you can find a compromise between cheap and clean/comfortable and a chain hotel.
I love staying in hostels. But I'm also 27 and travel very differently. There isn't much advantage if your in your 30's and making 200k. But it's not a money issue for me.
like to save money in retirement/college/stock funds,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jdawg8181
but if you're able to afford a nice hotel, why wouldn't you?
Is there some kind of advantage to staying in a hostel? Are they safe?
I have heard some serious horror stories and those were from people who had PRIVATE rooms.
Fixed that for you.
Sam Walton used to hitch rides from Wal-Mart customers to the airport when he traveled from store to store. He became a billionaire for a reason.
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