One thing that stands out about Real Deal LLC is that it’s an organization that values travel highly on its list of priorities. That is to say, I will travel just about anywhere whether someone is coming with me or not.

One of the ways I’m able to do this so quickly, cheaply, and with so little planning is that I prefer to stay in hostels.

Madhouse Prague

That’s right. The kind of establishment that, for our generation, was popularized by a 2005 horror film is without a doubt the best way to travel. If you haven’t done so already, here’s why you should book your next trip in a hostel.

Let’s Make Sure We Understand What a Hostel Is

Google defines a hostel as an “establishment that provides inexpensive food and lodging for a specific group of people, such as students, workers, or travelers”. These days it’s mostly just young people who need a place to crash while travelling - but it’s increasingly common to see adults of all ages as well.

Giramundo Ibiza

Hostels usually have dorm style bedrooms where multiple people sleep (yes, mostly with strangers) and common bathrooms located either inside the rooms or out in the halls. Most hostels offer private rooms but they usually won’t include a private bathroom. Hostels charge by the bed per night and require a small deposit which is normally no more than 20 dollars.

Myths About Hostels

Perhaps until recently, hostels have had a bad rap with Americans. This is largely due to the 2005 horror film directed by Eli Roth - Hostel. But contrary to the movie, there are no crazed murderers in hostels, no one is going to take your kidneys while you sleep, and theft of personal property is quite rare.

You’re more likely to be killed in a hotel than a hostel. Any quick Google search will yield countless instances of unsettling encounters guests and staff have found in hotel rooms. For example, Avicii killed himself in a hotel just last month. However, that figure remains virtually nonexistent for hostels.

Just think about it: why would anyone use hostel to commit suicide? Are murders less likely when you have four other people sleeping in your room? You be the judge.

The Travellers Code - Why Theft is so Rare

My sister, who is also a wanderlust with extensive trips under her belt, once spoke of “the travelers code”. I’m not one to believe in any unwritten rules between strangers but there is truth behind the notion that travellers have enough empathy to respect personal space and belongings.

Lockers in Wombats Hostel London

It’s easy to see when everyone is in the position of travelling to a foreign and potentially dangerous place (Note: the United States is more dangerous than most places).

Although rare, there will be instances where roommates have disagreements (especially those that don’t speak the same language) but these disputes are often over as quickly as they start.

They’re Flexible and Cheap

Even in Europe, hostel beds are usually less than 50 dollars a night. Personally, I’ve paid as little as 9 dollars/night. You don’t pay in advance and cancellations are allowed, especially if you use a service like Hostelworld. So if you simply don’t like a place, you can get up and go without any fuss.

Yes Inn Causeway Bay Hong Kong

On a side note, the service the staff provides is some of the best you’ll experience anywhere in the lodging industry. Most hostels are independently owned and operated by people who love travelling and meeting new people.

Staff members go above and beyond to meet your needs and handle disputes with urgency. They also clean the common areas and bathrooms round the clock so you’ll see a surprisingly high level of cleanliness that is contrary to any horror story you’ve ever been told.

Hostels are the Best Places to Meet Fun and Interesting People

I often solo travel so for me it’s an absolute must to stay in a place where it’s easy to mingle. First off, when lodging in hostels, you'll quickly find that many people are travelling alone. So if you’re into meeting interesting people, these are the ones to talk to. Anyone willing to get on a plane and travel alone for thousands of miles will have interesting stories to tell.

Travellers in hostels, especially solo travellers, are outgoing, open-minded, and spontaneous. A typical night for me will begin at sitting at the bar with strangers, followed by beer pong, then by house music partying before finally ending up on a bus to a strange party island 500 miles away. True story.

Bed & Breakfast Santo Domingo

The guests are very diverse and I don’t mean just by race and ethnicity (I’ve met people from every habitable world region), I mean by personalities and experiences. I’ve met artists who are traveling with no goal in mind, students on vacation, married couples on getaways, and young professionals working at KPMG and Goldman Sachs. Married, single, student, or entrepreneur, I’ve met them all. Years later I still keep in touch with many of them.

Keep in mind, hostels are not just for your over-the-top social butterfly. You’ll find there are many people who enjoy the relaxed setting which allows them to study, write, or create.

The Amenities

Some hostels are designed specifically to be party hostels. Many times, the hostel will host its own bar crawl, which is a great way for guests to get to know each other. Sometimes the hostel is a bar/club/lounge in of itself that is just as popular with locals as it is with tourists. Just like a hotel, hostels have deals with local tour and excursion companies and will gladly set up an appointment for you.

Retox Budapest

If partying isn’t your thing, you can still appreciate that many hostels have free breakfast, beach access, swimming pools, game rooms, massage areas, etc. One hostel I stayed in even had its own pie eating contest! These places are meant to be fun for everyone so the possibilities for exciting activities are endless.

Conclusion

Although you can mitigate the noise of hostel dorm rooms with headphones, earbuds, and eye shades, there is nothing like having your own bed, bathroom, and space in a quiet hotel. But is it really worth paying at least an extra 200 dollars a night? What if I told you that the money you could save sleeping in hostels can add up to another two or three trips a year? Besides, why spend so much money on a place you won’t be spending most of my time?

After all, is travelling about experiencing a new city or a new hotel?

Even after all the savings, the fact of the matter is that they are just a bonus to the incredibly memorable experience of staying in a hostel, something that I would still do even if I had all the money in the world.

Real Deal International, Ltd.