Hostels - The Best Places to Stay When Traveling on a Budget
Europeans have known for years the joys of staying at Hostels for a fun and inexpensive way to stretch their travel dollars.
After decades of popularity in Europe, hostelling has become the newest travel craze in America.
For those who do not know what a hostel is; by definition, a Hostel is a supervised, inexpensive lodging place for travelers.
You can buy a private room or a bed in a dormitory.
Living areas are shared.
There is usually a live-in owner or house manager to help when you need it.
It is a wonderful alternative to more expensive hotels and motels.
Hostelling started in Germany to give city kids a chance to see the countryside.
Soon hostels spread across Europe gaining in popularity with young people as a safe way to have a bed, shower plus security as they backpacked through Europe.
Staying at a hostel was a great way to meet other young people from around the world.
Making new friends was easy, since travelers stayed in dormitory rooms in bunk beds, sharing the kitchen, living areas and bathrooms.
Hostels began to spring up in the United States as Americans who enjoyed their European hostel experience brought the idea home.
Today's hostels are no longer just for the young.
Most hostels give travelers a choice of private rooms with or without a private bath, or a bunk bed in a dormitory sharing a bath.
Dormitory rooms can be female only, male only or mixed.
As a result, families with children, singles, couples and retirees have all discovered hostels as a great way to stretch their travel budget.
Some hostels specialize in providing travel services just for seniors.
"Elder Hostels" have become very popular with seniors on a fixed income who want to travel, learn and socialize.
In today's tough economy, our travel budgets have decreased along with our bank accounts and retirement accounts.
Hostels give travelers a chance to get away for a few days or take that family vacation without 'breaking the bank".
While prices vary from place to place and season to season, dormitory beds typically cost from $15 to $22.
00 per night, and private rooms range from $30.
00 to $60.
00 and up per night, depending on the room and number of people in the group.
Reservations are recommended, but most hostels welcome walk-in traffic.
When you think about what you do on vacation, are you normally looking for an interesting city, attraction or beach to enjoy? Do you plan to fill your days exploring, shopping, eating and having fun? At night are you tired and just need a safe, clean, quiet and comfortable place to sleep? Then hostelling is for you.
American hostels must be licensed in their state and provide security locks in all the rooms.
Hostels are usually located in residential areas within walking distance to the area attractions.
When you stay at a hostel, other guests, neighbors and employees are happy to fill you in on the best places to see and great places to eat.
Best of all, local businesses will typically supply the hostel with plenty of discount coupons for restaurants, bike rentals, museums and local attractions.
It is important to understand what hostels will and won't provide so you know what to expect before you get there.
While only some hostels provide breakfast, they usually all have food storage and refrigeration available so you can bring your own food.
Most American hostels provide linens, while many European hostels do not.
There could be free Wi-Fi for your laptop and/or a house computer to check your email.
If you are traveling by car, make sure parking is available.
If you need a ride to or from the airport, they can usually find transportation for you.
Most hostels have websites, so check the internet to see their rates and amenities before you make a reservation.
Here's an example of what a hostel is like.
Let's say you always wanted to visit Saint Augustine, Florida.
It is the Oldest City in the United States and there is a lot to see.
Instead of a hotel, you decide to stay at the largest Hostel there.
You can make reservations online, call or take your chances by dropping by.
Check-in hours can run up to 8:00 PM.
Check in consists of filling out a registration and waiver form and paying for the nights you plan to stay (cash and credit cards are accepted).
Hostel Rules are posted so you know what is expected of you.
After check in, the on-site manager gives you a tour of the hostel that includes instructions on how to use the keypad door locks (no keys to lose), where to find your linens, (they provide linens including a towel, wash cloth, sheets and blankets) where to store your food, how to use the appliances and what bed or private room you are assigned to.
Note: they will usually have the bed made for you if you reserve in advance.
He will explain there is free coffee and tea in the guest kitchen, free billiards in the pool room, free Wi-Fi in all the rooms, a house computer and cable TV, home theater system and surround sound in the living room.
Plus, guests can use the house phone for free calls within the United States and coin laundry is available.
Smoking is only allowed on the back deck and covered front porch.
Parking is available on-site as well as nearby, there is a convenience store next door and they can usually find you a ride back to the airport for a small fee.
He will introduce you to other guests and let you know what is going on downtown and how easy it is to get there.
He will offer you a free coupon book with discounts for restaurants, museums and local sightseeing.
At that point you are free to enjoy your visit and the hostel.
You can sightsee, mingle with guests, play pool or just relax.
The manager is usually around or just a phone call away if you need anything.
As you can see, a Hostel is like staying with friends or family, much more personal than a hotel or motel.
It is that feeling of being with friends and of course the tremendous savings that has made hostels the cheap travel alternative and the latest travel craze in America.
After decades of popularity in Europe, hostelling has become the newest travel craze in America.
For those who do not know what a hostel is; by definition, a Hostel is a supervised, inexpensive lodging place for travelers.
You can buy a private room or a bed in a dormitory.
Living areas are shared.
There is usually a live-in owner or house manager to help when you need it.
It is a wonderful alternative to more expensive hotels and motels.
Hostelling started in Germany to give city kids a chance to see the countryside.
Soon hostels spread across Europe gaining in popularity with young people as a safe way to have a bed, shower plus security as they backpacked through Europe.
Staying at a hostel was a great way to meet other young people from around the world.
Making new friends was easy, since travelers stayed in dormitory rooms in bunk beds, sharing the kitchen, living areas and bathrooms.
Hostels began to spring up in the United States as Americans who enjoyed their European hostel experience brought the idea home.
Today's hostels are no longer just for the young.
Most hostels give travelers a choice of private rooms with or without a private bath, or a bunk bed in a dormitory sharing a bath.
Dormitory rooms can be female only, male only or mixed.
As a result, families with children, singles, couples and retirees have all discovered hostels as a great way to stretch their travel budget.
Some hostels specialize in providing travel services just for seniors.
"Elder Hostels" have become very popular with seniors on a fixed income who want to travel, learn and socialize.
In today's tough economy, our travel budgets have decreased along with our bank accounts and retirement accounts.
Hostels give travelers a chance to get away for a few days or take that family vacation without 'breaking the bank".
While prices vary from place to place and season to season, dormitory beds typically cost from $15 to $22.
00 per night, and private rooms range from $30.
00 to $60.
00 and up per night, depending on the room and number of people in the group.
Reservations are recommended, but most hostels welcome walk-in traffic.
When you think about what you do on vacation, are you normally looking for an interesting city, attraction or beach to enjoy? Do you plan to fill your days exploring, shopping, eating and having fun? At night are you tired and just need a safe, clean, quiet and comfortable place to sleep? Then hostelling is for you.
American hostels must be licensed in their state and provide security locks in all the rooms.
Hostels are usually located in residential areas within walking distance to the area attractions.
When you stay at a hostel, other guests, neighbors and employees are happy to fill you in on the best places to see and great places to eat.
Best of all, local businesses will typically supply the hostel with plenty of discount coupons for restaurants, bike rentals, museums and local attractions.
It is important to understand what hostels will and won't provide so you know what to expect before you get there.
While only some hostels provide breakfast, they usually all have food storage and refrigeration available so you can bring your own food.
Most American hostels provide linens, while many European hostels do not.
There could be free Wi-Fi for your laptop and/or a house computer to check your email.
If you are traveling by car, make sure parking is available.
If you need a ride to or from the airport, they can usually find transportation for you.
Most hostels have websites, so check the internet to see their rates and amenities before you make a reservation.
Here's an example of what a hostel is like.
Let's say you always wanted to visit Saint Augustine, Florida.
It is the Oldest City in the United States and there is a lot to see.
Instead of a hotel, you decide to stay at the largest Hostel there.
You can make reservations online, call or take your chances by dropping by.
Check-in hours can run up to 8:00 PM.
Check in consists of filling out a registration and waiver form and paying for the nights you plan to stay (cash and credit cards are accepted).
Hostel Rules are posted so you know what is expected of you.
After check in, the on-site manager gives you a tour of the hostel that includes instructions on how to use the keypad door locks (no keys to lose), where to find your linens, (they provide linens including a towel, wash cloth, sheets and blankets) where to store your food, how to use the appliances and what bed or private room you are assigned to.
Note: they will usually have the bed made for you if you reserve in advance.
He will explain there is free coffee and tea in the guest kitchen, free billiards in the pool room, free Wi-Fi in all the rooms, a house computer and cable TV, home theater system and surround sound in the living room.
Plus, guests can use the house phone for free calls within the United States and coin laundry is available.
Smoking is only allowed on the back deck and covered front porch.
Parking is available on-site as well as nearby, there is a convenience store next door and they can usually find you a ride back to the airport for a small fee.
He will introduce you to other guests and let you know what is going on downtown and how easy it is to get there.
He will offer you a free coupon book with discounts for restaurants, museums and local sightseeing.
At that point you are free to enjoy your visit and the hostel.
You can sightsee, mingle with guests, play pool or just relax.
The manager is usually around or just a phone call away if you need anything.
As you can see, a Hostel is like staying with friends or family, much more personal than a hotel or motel.
It is that feeling of being with friends and of course the tremendous savings that has made hostels the cheap travel alternative and the latest travel craze in America.
