Hey there!
I'm not a travel expert, but I've done some trips and I've booked some hostel rooms and there are certain things that I look before making my mind, and I like to share them to help you know the essential things you should check before booking a hostel for your next trip.
1. Location. Where is it located? Which neighbourhood? Is it close to a main avenue/bus stop/train station/shops? This is important since wherever you go you'll need to know how to go around that place from your hostel. Do you need to walk a lot before catching a bus or train? If it's close to a main avenue, is it a quiet or a noisy place? This is to be taken into consideration depending on where you are going (some places, like Vietnam, have a lot of traffic and there's a lot of honking) and you can usually know this by checking reviews. Are there any markets or shops near so that you could easily go and grab a drink or some food (this depends whether you like to prepare your food at the hostel or not)? Are there any local attractions near (so that you could just go walking or don't have to spend too much in taxi's or time travelling by bus/train)? And, how can you get to/from the airport (or bus station)? Some hostels have shuttle services that can pick you from the airport, be sure to check that as well. My sister stayed at a hostel that was next to a x-rated cinema. The common bathroom was right next to it and well, every time she showered she listened a lot of interesting things.
2. Rates. This is important since I like to travel in a budget and the more I can save in accommodation, the more I can spend in other things. So usually I check different hostels in the same area to compare the rates and check whether what they're asking for is pricey or not for a hostel. I also compare how much is the difference of the female dorm to the mixed one, and how much for an ensuite room. And then, how can I pay for it? Can it be paid in US dollars or the local currency? Is there any discount if I stay for many days (sometimes you find specials where they give you one free night for every 6 days there)?
3. Services. Do they have wi-fi? Do they offer laundry services (this depends on how long you intend to stay, trust me, your clothes will start to stink pretty soon)? Is there a common area and how big is it (sometimes it's just a small area with a couch and someone is already there and there's no space for you)? Is there breakfast included (this is one important, because again, free food is something you can't say no to)? Do they have an equipped kitchen? I am the kind of person that every now and then saves money by preparing my own food, and I just buy some stuff at the market and then make them at the hostel (this is why it's also important to make sure there is a market or milk bar close to the hostel). But of course, I don't travel with pots and pans, so I like to know if the place where I'm gonna stay has a shared kitchen with these kind of things. Does the hostel has any tours or classes to offer? Sometimes they have cooking classes, spanish classes, tango classes, walking tours, etc. It's good to know if they're available, and sometimes you get them for free when you book some nights. And, do they have air-con (specially if I'm travelling during summer, there's nothing like going into your very cold hostel after you've been sweating during a very long walk under the killing sun)?
4. Rooms. This one goes with Rates. I tend to save money, so I don't mind staying in dorms, usually just for females. I then check what's in that dorm; do they offer lockers (important again since I feel safer if I know that my stuff is locked somewhere)? Are they big so that I can put my backpack in it? How are the beds/bunks? How many of them per room (usually they have dorms with 4, 6 and 10 beds)? And the most important thing: the bathroom. Is it ensuite? Where is it located? Who do I have to share it with? I am very particular about the bathroom, I don't mind where I sleep but I do mind where I shower and do my business. Yes sir. That's me. Now, if I'm travelling with a bunch of people then we just book a private room for us (2 beds, 3 beds, 4 beds, depending how many people you go with).
5. Photos and Reviews. A picture is worth a thousand words. So if I can see what it looks like inside the hostel, then I could make up my mind faster. Sometimes I end up with a list of 3 or 4 hostels that fit my requirements, and I end up making my choice by how the place looks and what other people that have stayed there have to say. I don't only check the photos the website offers me (come on, we know how it is, it looks pretty and big there and then you go and it's small and dirty), but also I go to google images to check whether someone else stayed there and took photos of the hostel. Also I check on their facebook pages and check the photos they're tagged in. That way I know how it looks in an ordinary camera (no wide-angle lenses, no editing, no magic, no tricks). And then I read the reviews, is it really clean? Is the people working there really nice? Did anyone have any kind of problem while staying there? These are the things that matter at the end. But there's one thing about reviews, don't read just one or two. Read 5 or more. This is because there are some very picky guests that leave very bad reviews just because they expect to get a lot for not much money. You need to know that you get what you pay. And it's also known that other owners of hostels in the same area leave bad reviews just to lower their rating (and in that way they can eliminate competition). True story. This won't happen always but it's good to keep in mind. If you want to read the reviews, check hostelworld, tripadvisor or hostelbookers.
6. Booking. Ok, so now you have picked your place. What now? You can either book them by hostelworld or any other similar website, but a lot of hostels allow to make reservations via their website, so that way is easier and you can contact them of you want to separate the whole room for your group (otherwise half of your group might be in one room and the other half in another room). Also, some websites charge you a fee for booking, so by doing it directly with the hostel you can save that. Now, there are some hostels that would only allow you to book a room by those sites, but if you have any specific requirement (like separating a room) don't hesitate in sending them an email. They'll let you know whether it's possible or not (usually it is).
6. Booking. Ok, so now you have picked your place. What now? You can either book them by hostelworld or any other similar website, but a lot of hostels allow to make reservations via their website, so that way is easier and you can contact them of you want to separate the whole room for your group (otherwise half of your group might be in one room and the other half in another room). Also, some websites charge you a fee for booking, so by doing it directly with the hostel you can save that. Now, there are some hostels that would only allow you to book a room by those sites, but if you have any specific requirement (like separating a room) don't hesitate in sending them an email. They'll let you know whether it's possible or not (usually it is).
Bonus Track: Something to keep in mind is, what kind of hostel is it? Some people stay in hostels because they're studying and need somewhere cheap to stay. There are nice quiet hostels that serve for this purpose, where usually people go to chill and enjoy some live music every now and then. There are the other kind of hostels where there's a party every single night. Both of them are good, and I've stayed in the very quiet ones (where there's usually no one there), the ones where you can enjoy live music while having some wine in the top floor, the ones that have bbq's every now and then, and the ones that have parties and happy hours every night. It depends what's your style. So be sure to check this out, and if you would like to stay in the party hostel but you don't want to party every day, be sure that your room is well located so you can sleep with no problem.
Bonus Track (special edition): I haven't stayed in many places but I can give you some hostels that I would recommend because they made a good impression.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina:
- Art Factory Hostel; it's name says it all, all the walls from this place are painted like street art. It has a very big dinning area, and they prepare and sell pizza and wine in the roof where you can enjoy some live music.
- Milhouse Hostel; party hostel all way around. It has the best environment, the people that work there are super nice, and they are so great that they have 2 locations (one very close to the other).
In Lima, Peru
- HQ Villa; it's a really nice place to chill, to have some drinks, to watch some tv, and you'll never have to worry about not finding a place where to sit, since the house is so big that they have a lot of common areas. So big, it has two kitchens. The owners, the best guys you'll ever meet, friendly at any time of the day. And it's super cheap!
In Mancora, Peru
- Loki del Mar; another party hostel, with a big pool and in front of the beach. It's so great that when I wanted to book my room it was full for the entire month. It's been recommended by my friends, and from my research it's a good place to stay.
In Punta del Este, Uruguay
- El Viajero; it's nice and clean with a pool and bbq area. They like everybody to mingle with their activities such as pizza and beer night. It's close to the beach, although you might have to do a bit of a walk to get to the main road to go to the shops or take the bus.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Vy Khanh Hostel; it's a small, quiet and very clean place near everywhere (we never took a bus or taxi while there, except while going to the airport). The people there are super friendly, and the rooms are clean with air-con, tv and even shampoo and hair dryer. And it's super cheap.
In Hanoi, Vietnam
- Hanoi Backpackers; I didn't stay at this place but I did went inside and the environment put me in the mood. It started thanks to 2 aussies who decided to create a place where they would like to stay. So it has everything backpackers want and need. Besides, I read the reviews and it seems like a good place if you like to meet new people and party. Their cruise tour to Halong Bay is very famous and recommended among young backpackers who likes to party while travelling. If that's you, then this is your place.
- Gecko Hotel; this is not a hostel but it was where I stayed and it was cheap and comfortable. The place is extremely clean, and the people in charge is super nice (the girl that works there walked with us to wave us goodbye while taking our taxi to the airport). They also have free breakfast and you can choose from a list that includes scrambled eggs, pancakes with ice-cream, or fruits, plus juice, tea or coffee).
I hope you find this information useful. Credits for the photos to Wenz.
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What other things do you search for before booking a hostel room?
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