What is a hostel? The complete beginner’s guide

What are hostels?

A hostel is a type of accommodation that offers travelers an affordable stay and more opportunities to socialize with other guests.

What is the simple definition of a youth hostel? It’s simply a cheaper, more community-oriented version of a hotel. Some hostels also offer long-term accommodation.

Why is it called an inn? The word has Latin and Old French roots, having been used to describe a place providing shelter, often shared, to travelers.

Is a hostel like a dorm?

Hostels traditionally offer shared dormitories, called “dormitories”. These rooms can hold anywhere from three to dozens of beds and offer travelers a cheaper, more community-based, and more social experience that hostels are known for.

Many properties also offer private rooms. What is a private room in a hostel? It is essentially a hotel room within a hostel – sometimes without a private bathroom – which gives a guest the opportunity to enjoy the social aspects of a hostel, while still maintaining a certain level of privacy.

What is it like to stay in a hostel? For a certain type of traveler, hostels are the ultimate type of accommodation, offering lots of fun at a much lower price than any other type of property.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at hostels: how they work, who they target, and what other property types can learn from them.

Difference between a hostel and a hotel

Is a hostel a hotel? No, not quite. The main difference is the communal nature of a hostel. While hotel guests largely keep to themselves, aside from potential interactions in on-site bars, pools, and other common areas, hostel guests tend to sleep, cook, and relax together.

This privacy aspect is also the main difference between a hostel and Airbnb, although some small, independent boutique hostels may be allowed to offer beds through the Airbnb platform.

What is a hostel for?

The purpose of a hostel is to help guests save money, both by reducing room rates and (usually) by offering them the opportunity to cook for themselves in shared kitchens, all giving them the opportunity to meet and mingle with other travelers.

What is a hostel room for business-wise? Simply put, a bunkhouse gives the owner the opportunity to accommodate more people in their property and potentially make more money. Hostels are also just fun businesses to get involved in!

Why do people stay in hostels?

Hostels are particularly popular with younger, budget-conscious travelers, who are happy to enjoy basic amenities. What are the advantages of staying in a youth hostel? Backpackers on longer trips can earn more money while meeting like-minded people.

Why are hostels so cheap?

Simple: economies of scale. A hotel room for two people can be transformed into a dormitory for four, six or maybe even eight. Even though a hostel can charge much less to each of its guests, it can ultimately make more money by bringing in a larger staff.

What is it like to stay in a hostel? Quality properties can offer a surprisingly luxurious experience! Many modern hostels offer privacy curtains on their dorm beds, while lower bed counts and female-only dorms can also make the stay more comfortable.

Types of hostels

Hostels fall into several different categories, although there are areas of overlap for the types of hostels listed below (and many hostels can describe themselves as all three).

What is a youth hostel?

Youth hostels cater specifically to young travelers. Some actually have age restrictions and only accept bookings from younger guests (usually under 35).

What is a youth hostel?

Youth hostels are decidedly social. They tend to have bars and events on site most nights of the week. They also often organize local nightlife tours.

What is a backpacker hostel?

Backpacker hostels cater to long-term budget travelers. These hostels are often more economical and usually offer guests a shared kitchen where they can prepare their own meals.

Main characteristics of a hostel: room and house

What characteristics define a hostel? A few include:

• Size and space: With a focus on accommodating a larger number of guests, hostels tend to be more compact and compact than hotels. The challenge for owners is to make the most of what they have.
• Cleanliness and comfort: These two simple features are perhaps the most important to any hostel guest: They don’t ask for much, but they want the property, especially the beds, dorms, and kitchen, to be clean and comfortable.
• Equipment: Common hostel amenities include shared kitchens, swimming pools, on-site bars, and shared relaxation areas.
• Confidentiality: In recent years, many hostels have offered their guests a greater level of privacy by adding curtains or screens to hostel beds.
• Security: Many hostels give guests cards that give them access to their dorm and the hostel outside of reception hours. Lockers in dormitories are also essential.
• Activities: Walking tours, game nights, family dinners, and group nights are great ways to create a sense of community within the inn.

Examples of hostels around the world

Now that we have answered the questions “what is a hostel?” and “What is a hostel room?” “, let’s look at some concrete examples from around the world.

Youth hostels in Europe

• Pfefferbett Youth Hostel, Berlin: What is a hostel in Europe that achieves goals? Pfefferbett might just be the coolest hostel in one of the coolest cities in the world.
• Ostello Bello, Milan: Located in the heart of Milan, Ostello Bello is a lively hostel that was recently named the best in Italy.

Hostels in the United Kingdom

• Seadragon Backpackers, Brighton: This boutique hostel combines warm comfort with smart technology, including smart locks that allow access to the property and dorm rooms with a smartphone.
• Castle Rock Hostel, Edinburgh: What is a hostel that UK hoteliers can look to replicate? Look no further than Castle Rock, which is continually voted the best hostel in Edinburgh.

Hostels in Spain

• The Central House Barcelona Gracia: Sleeping is optional at Central House, a beautiful property that seems to be the answer to the question “what’s a hostel supposed to be like in Spain?” »
• Onefam Center, Seville: This popular and ultra-social hostel hosts group activities every day and night.

Hostels in the United States

• California Dreams Hostel, San Diego – What is a hostel in the United States that reflects the Californian vibe? Look no further than California Dreams, located just steps from the beach.
• Generator Miami: A Florida hostel that takes style to the next level, here you’ll enjoy a budget-friendly and boutique environment in the heart of Miami Beach.

Hostels in New York

• Chelsea International Hostel, 20th Street: What’s a hostel in New York that almost every traveler could afford? This hotel, one of the first in the city, could be the answer.
• HI NYC youth hostel, Amsterdam Avenue: This hostel offers a wide range of comfortable room options and is part of Hostelworld’s Best Hostel Network in North America (2024).

Hostels in Australia

• Wake up! Sydney: Located in the heart of the CBD, Wake Up! Sydney offers comfortable accommodation and easy access to all of the city’s most famous sites.
• Gilligan’s, Cairns: What is a hostel in Australia that is not a hostel? Part hotel, part resort, part entertainment, Gilligan’s offers guests the best of every property type.

Hostels in Japan

• UNPLAN Shinjuku, Tokyo: Which hostel in Japan offers you a unique experience in Tokyo? From pod beds to integrated technology, our pick is UNPLAN Shinjuku.
• The Evergreen Hostel, Hiroshima: Comfortable and traditionally furnished, the Evergreen in Hiroshima is also just a five-minute walk from the A-Bomb Dome.

Strategies for Implementing Hostel Style Elements

By taking a little inspiration from how hostels work and implementing hostel elements within your property, you grant yourself the opportunity to attract a large group of travelers that you may never have attracted before . Here are some ways to do it.

Create inviting common spaces for social interaction

On-site lounges, communal kitchens, pools, and bars can encourage guests to interact. Human connections can greatly improve the customer experience, and they do it with minimal effort on your part: all you have to do is provide the space for them to happen.

Diversify room options to attract a wider range of travelers

Consider adding discounted dorm beds to your room offering. Or maybe a private room with shared bathroom. These options can help you attract a wider range of travelers.

Attracting digital nomads and long-term guests

Create coworking spaces where digital nomads can work and network. Deliver the fast, reliable internet that modern remote workers need.

Use effective property management practices

In the quest for greater efficiency, hostels often lead the way in technology. Consider implementing mobile check-in and self-service options, or streamlining communications with guests thanks to a dedicated tool.

Define flexible and competitive pricing models

Use a business intelligence tool to understand room or bed rates that will get you more bookings while making you more money. Save on OTA fees by offering direct bookingsand do everything in your power to guide customers to this booking option.

For modern properties, improving operational efficiencies and pricing your beds smarter than your competitors is only possible with the help of smart technology – and that’s where SiteMinder comes in.