The Surprising Benefits Of Staying In A Hostel, According To Hostel-Goers
Female friends discussing while sitting on bunkbed.
Hostels have a reputation for being a budget-friendly alternative to hotels — but the communicable accommodations provide a lot more benefits than just putting money back into your pocket.
If you've been considering staying in a hostel but need the extra boost, the following surprising benefits from regular hostel-goers will push you to finally book that laidback accommodation you've had your eye on.
According to Paul Fournier, travel expert and founder of Journey Compass, hostels create a social space that doesn't really exist in traditional hotels. 'Most people are open to meeting others, sharing tips, or just chatting,' he explained. 'I've made friends while waiting in line for the shower or cooking in a shared kitchen. It's casual and easy, and it adds something personal to the trip.'
'Hostel staff also tend to be more relaxed and helpful in a different way,' Fournier explained. 'In one place in Hanoi, the owner sat down with me and marked his favourite local food spots on a paper map—places I would've never found online. That kind of local advice makes a big difference, especially if you're trying to explore beyond the tourist areas.'
'Another reason I sometimes stay in hostels is flexibility,' explained Fournier.' If I arrive somewhere and really like it, I can usually extend my stay without hassle. Or if I want to move on quickly, I don't feel locked in. That freedom is really useful, especially if you're travelling without a tight schedule.'
According to Fournier, staying in a hostel also helps you grow a bit as a person. 'You learn to share space, deal with different habits, and talk to strangers when staying in a hostel,' he said. 'Once, in a Taipei hostel, I met a woman in her 60s who had just started travelling solo after retirement. We walked the city together and had some great conversations—something that would've never happened if I'd booked a private hotel room.'
'Something I love about hostels is how they force you outta your comfort zone,' explained Jasmine Charbonier, founder of YourTampaBestie.com. 'In a hotel, I'd order room service and watch TV. But in hostels, I've learned to cook Thai food from my bunkmate, picked up basic Portuguese from the guy in the bed next to me, and even learned how to play traditional Indonesian card games in the common room.'
'The community kitchen's been a game-changer for me,' added Charbonier. 'Sure, it saves money, but it's more about the culture exchange. This one time in Amsterdam, I ended up in an impromptu cooking competition with people from 5 different countries. We each made our national dishes — my mediocre mac & cheese got crushed by this amazing Hungarian goulash, but it was such a blast.'
According to Charbonier, the networking possibilities at hostels are also very good. 'I've met startup founders, artists, musicians—and I even got a job lead once from a random conversation in a hostel kitchen,' she explained. 'These places attract such an interesting mix of people, from digital nomads to creative professionals. It's like LinkedIn but way more authentic and fun.'
'My absolute favorite part about staying in hostels is that they give you the real, unfiltered story of a place,' she explained. 'Hotels can feel like bubbles, but hostels push you right into the local scene. Through hostel connections, I've been to underground art shows, local house parties, and secret beach spots that weren't in any guidebook.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
U.S. Issues Travel 'Warning' for Popular Asian Country on June 9
The United States Department of State issues travel "warnings" in order to describe "the risks and recommended precautions for U.S. citizens—not foreign nationals—in a foreign destination." "The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. Information contained in these advisories reflects an assessment of threats only insofar as they may impact U.S. citizens, nationals, and legal residents," the U.S. Department of State said in a statement. In its latest warning for travelers from the United States, the Department of State issued a Level 1 advisory for those traveling to Thailand. The Level 1 "exercise normal precautions" warning is defined as: "The lowest advisory level for safety and security risks. There is some risk in any international travel, and conditions in other countries may differ from those in the United States." Those seeking to travel to Thailand were specifically warned about travel to four provinces within the country. "Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces due to civil unrest associated with ongoing insurgent activities," the warning said. Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat all come with a Level 2 "exercise increased caution" warning. "Periodic violence between Thai security services and armed insurgents has been known to occur in Thailand's three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat. Seventeen districts in these provinces remain under a declared state of emergency due to ongoing violent conflict. There is a collateral risk of violence for U.S. citizens in Thailand's southernmost provinces due to low intensity conflict," the warning read." "The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these provinces as U.S government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to these provinces." Those traveling to the country were warned to have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance and prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.U.S. Issues Travel 'Warning' for Popular Asian Country on June 9 first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 11, 2025
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why 'quiet luxury' hotels are the new travel obsession
In recent years, quiet luxury—a trend of pared-back elegance driven by cultural phenomenon and social media influencers—took over fashion. The same ethos has been guiding travelers to certain hotels. 'Quiet luxury is about spaces that feel effortlessly refined, where everything has been carefully considered but nothing screams for attention,' says Pamela Schein Murphy, founder of Wandrist Travel. She notes that details like the texture and weight of linens, perfectly balanced lighting, and technology that enhances rather than intrudes are telltale signs. Structural and practical elements are also important. 'I like the luxury of a great layout and a special view,' says Ashley Isaacs Ganz, founder and chief executive officer of luxury tour operator Artisans of Leisure. 'Also, literal quiet—I do not want to hear the crowds on the street or a party downstairs.' Here are eight hotels where you can experience quiet luxury for yourself. If there's one name that embodies quiet luxury, it's Aman. For 35 years, the brand has developed some of the most rarefied properties in the world. Its newest addition, Aman Nai Lert, is no different. The 52 suites are among the largest in Bangkok, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the cityscape and neighboring seven-acre Nai Lert Park. The suites' clean lines and tone-on-tone neutrals set the stage for distinctive Thai design elements. Think decorative banana bark panels behind each bed and bespoke tables made of local supergenti stone. While all guests have access to the ninth-floor outdoor pool, book the Aman suite to soak in your own private spa with hot and cold plunge pools and a sauna. Manhattan's Upper East Side is both classic and chic, and The Surrey has been right at home there for almost a century. While its new renovation, guided by Martin Brudnizki of Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, captures the area's storied sophistication, it also doubles down on modernity, layering rich color palettes and exquisite finishes in the 70 rooms and 30 suites. The craftsmanship is as intricate as it is subtle, like the custom Schumacher trim accenting the silk Phillip Jeffries wall coverings along the rooms' perimeters. Other discerning details—sculpted crown moldings, Frette linens, fresh flowers—bring an understated opulence that invites you to feel at home. Located in Cap d'Antibes, one of the most sought-after locations on the French Riviera, Villa Miraé envelopes guests in the region's warmth. Designer Oscar Lucien Ono used soft gradients of golden hues and tranquil blues along with curvaceous Art Deco lines to create a sun-kissed sanctuary that's both calming and lush. Each of the 35 rooms and eight suites has a harmonious feel, outfitted in Casamance and Pierre Frey textile wall coverings, woven leather headboards, and Maison Paradis ceramics cast in the glow of Murano glass bedside lamps and wall sconces. For an extra dose of serenity, stroll the century-old olive trees and umbrella pines in the Mediterranean gardens outside. Snaking along a limestone clifftop on the remote Kangaroo Island, Southern Ocean Lodge feels special even before stepping inside. The 25 suites cascade outward from a central lounge and in each there's equal emphasis on the wild beauty outside and the curated beauty inside. Everything from the bleached wood furniture to the glass-blown light fixtures to the commissioned artwork is crafted by South Australian artists, creating a cohesive, curated environment. Zoned lighting and EcoSmart fireplaces enhance the ambiance, and private terraces offer the perfect perches for gazing at the surf below. Mollie makes a good case for luxury that does more with less. Committed to a reduction of excess, design firm Post Company infused the property with a quiet confidence. The 68 rooms, like the entire hotel, reflect the mountain landscape outside, using earthy tones and natural textures like leather and wood. The Aspen Mountain rooms offer particularly stunning views from private terraces, while soft touches like Egyptian cotton sheets and Coyuchi organic robes balance the ruggedness with considered comfort. White oak millwork on the ceilings and black matte porcelain tiles in the bathrooms finish the rooms with just the right amount of design decadence. While the iconic London hotel Claridge's exudes an Art Deco glamour throughout, rooms are chicly contemporary. Each of the 11 signature suites has its own character, including the Grand Terrace Suite with a gentling curving interior, original artwork dotting plush Jacquard wall panels, and a private terrace with views across Parliament. There's also the Octagon, a two-bedroom landing pad with a grand piano, gleaming bronze accents, and an eight-sided glass turret. The 248 rooms, smaller in size, are just as plum, what with details like shagreen lamps, generous wardrobes, backlit shelving, and polished marble bathrooms with heated floors. Not far from Echo Beach, the famed surf spot in Indonesia, the new Regent Bali Canggu brings carefree opulence to the beach. Inspired by traditional Balinese villages, the 141 suites and seven villas are spacious jewel boxes, ranging from 818 square feet to the two-bedroom penthouse that stretches over 6,000 square feet. The rich teak floors create striking contrasts with the crisp white walls and linens, and slatted millwork on the ceilings. But the real showstoppers are the hand-carved teak bathtubs, from which you can sip a cocktail and take in the verdant gardens. Opt for a beachside villa and alternate between dips in a private plunge pool and the Indian Ocean. Situated above its three-Michelin-starred restaurant, the five-room SingleThread Inn is built on the concept of omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality that extols taking care of guests, among the spoils of California wine country. The AvroKO-designed rooms are airy and light with a nonchalant elegance from natural brick, redwood ceilings, and custom art and furnishings like handcrafted vases filled with flowers from the farm. Kitchenettes are stocked with local, cold-pressed juices and bathrooms have heated floors, Toto toilets, soaking tubs, and walk-in rain showers. Wake up each morning to a multi-course breakfast delivered to your room or served on the inn's rooftop. Amy Thomas is a freelance writer specializing in travel, food and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, BBC Travel, and others. She is the author of two books: Paris, My Sweet and Brooklyn in Love.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Smuggler stopped with lizards, tarantulas, possums, authorities say
Indian customs officers made the latest "significant" seizure of endangered wildlife from a passenger arriving from Thailand, a government statement said: nearly 100 creatures including lizards, sunbirds and tree-climbing possums. Customs officers said the passenger, who was also carrying two tarantula spiders and tortoises, had "exhibited signs of nervousness" on arrival at India's financial capital Mumbai. The seizure comes after a passenger was stopped smuggling dozens of venomous vipers, also arriving from Thailand, earlier in June. They included 44 Indonesian pit vipers and were "concealed in checked-in baggage," Mumbai Customs said in a statement. The wildlife in the latest seizure included iguanas, as well as a kinkajou or honey bear -- a small raccoon-like animal from Mexico's rainforests -- along with six "sugar gliders" — a gliding possum found in Australia. Photographs released by the customs unit showed the six sugar gliders huddled together in a basket, as well as a box crammed with lizards. "In a significant operation, customs officers ... intercepted an Indian national ... leading to the seizure of multiple live and deceased wildlife species, some of which are protected under wildlife protection laws," the Ministry of Finance said in a statement late Monday. Disturbing smuggling trend Wildlife trade monitor TRAFFIC, which battles the smuggling of wild animals and plants, on Tuesday warned of a "very troubling" trend in trafficking driven by the exotic pet trade. More than 7,000 animals, dead and alive, have been seized along the Thailand-India air route in the last 3-and-a-half years, it said. Customs officers at Mumbai airport are more used to seizing smuggled gold, cash or cannabis -- but instances of wildlife seizure have seen a gradual rise recently. Customs officers seized dozens of snakes and several turtles from an Indian national flying from Thailand earlier in June. Among them were several spider-tailed horned vipers, a venomous species only described by scientists in 2006 and classified as "near-threatened" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). TRAFFIC said its analysis showed that while most cases involve animals smuggled out of Thailand, more than 80 percent of interceptions happened in India. "The almost-weekly discoveries and diversity of wildlife en route to India is very troubling," said TRAFFIC's Southeast Asia director Kanitha Krishnasamy. Many of those captured were alive, which "shows that the clamor for exotic pets is driving the trade," she added. In February, customs officials at Mumbai airport also stopped a smuggler with five Siamang gibbons, a small ape native to the forests of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Those small creatures, listed as endangered by the IUCN, were "ingeniously concealed" in a plastic crate placed inside the passenger's trolley bag, customs officers said. In November, authorities found a passenger carrying a wriggling live cargo of 12 turtles. Australian reporter covering Los Angeles protests shot with rubber bullet by police officer Kristi Noem says "we are not going to let a repeat of 2020 happen" amid L.A. crackdown LAPD chief speaks out about deployment of military forces to anti-ICE protests
