Where do you tend to stay while traveling? Hotels, Motels, Air Bnbs, and Hostels are just some of the many options for accomadation away from home. If you're like most travelers you pick your accomadations dependent on many different things such as space, location and affordability.
Why do some travelers prefer staying in multi-person rooms when private rooms are often available? Although hostels and hotels both offer clean and safe sleeping shelter for travelers, they are quite different in many ways. Once you understand the major differences between these popular forms of accommodation making an educated decision about where you stay will be the easiest part of planning your trip.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you. For more information see my privacy policy here.
Sleeping Arrangements
Hotels
Hotels offer private rooms with private bathrooms attached. Usually this offers a safe space for families or groups traveling together and even solo travelers that want additional security, privacy or quiet.
Hostels
Although private rooms are still occasionally available, shared bunk rooms are more common in hostel living. Bunk beds are typical and curtains on beds offer additional privacy to those sleeping. Bathrooms are often shared by the room and sometimes by the entire hall or floor.
For more on booking the right hostel accommodation make sure to read "Hostels: Rules to Live By and Safety". COMING SOON!
Pricing
Hotels
Although it is possible to book affordable hotels, espescially when sharing a room with multiple people, they tend to be on the more expensive end of travel accomodations. They are best for short stays while other room and board should be considered for longer durations if a travel budget is an important factor. Room prices range drastically dependent on location and often are more affordable outside of major tourist areas and cities.
Hostels
Thanks to sharing quarters, hostels are generally a much more affordable option especially for travelers not splitting accomodation costs with a group. Since you're booking a bed, not a room, hostel bunks can be as affordable as $20-$30 a night and range all the way up to $80 or more dependent on location, amenities, currency exchange and popular tourist destination spots.
Location
Hotels
Hotels can be found almost anywhere including off the highway for easy access, inside cities, and nearby public transport and airports. They tend to offer safe parking lots that are only for their visitors which sometimes makes locations within walking distance from major attractions a bit more expensive than the hotels further away from the city. These locations sometimes offer included or paid garages close to the premise or underground for patrons to park in.
Hostels
Hostels commonly attract visitors that are either traveling on foot or by public transport and don’t always have access to private parking space or lots. This makes it easier to have prime locations in the heart of tourist destinations or big cities. Hostels are more common in some continents than other but can be found in almost all of them.
Clean Up
Hotels
Hotels offer cleaning services in between customer stays and sometimes even throughout their visit. From changing linen and fresh towels, to dusting and vacuuming, the cleanliness of a hotel room is the responsibility of the staff not the patron.
Hostels
Hostels tend to initiate a "pick-up-after-yourself" policy. Rules vary by hostel and staff handles major cleaning tasks. Patrons agree to helping out in different ways such as washing dishes after use, stripping beds at the end of their stay, and keeping community areas tidy and organized.
Not sure what to pack during your trip? We've gotten your packing lists already ready for you. Check out Hostel Hopping: Packing Must-Haves, or Packing Must-Haves (Long Term Trips) on Amazon now!
Community
Hotels
Due to housing a variety of different people, from vacationers to those traveling for work, communcation between those staying at hotels is limited to minimal. Community spaces that are available are often bars, restaurants, swimming pools, work spaces and gyms but may include no additional community spaces at all.
Hostels
On the other hand, community may be the biggest advantage for those interested in staying in hostels. Due to their affordable pricing, hostels tend to attract young, solo travelers or those on a stricter budget. Shared spaces also are directed towards smaller budgets and give more of a close knit atmosphere with rooms similar to or replicating spaces you may have at home-such as living rooms and kitchens. Visitors usually conversate over community meals, and hang out in group rooms as opposed to their bunk rooms. This makes hostels an extremely easy place to make new friends throughout your stay based on shared interests and life styles.
If you do decide to book a hostel for your trip, you can leave the kitchen supplies behind. However, there are some things you shouldn't leave at home. Make sure to read "Hostel Travel: 8 Necessary Things to Pack" before you begin your travel adventure.
Are you a frequent traveler? Do you prefer to stay in hostels, hotels or something completely different? Let us know in the comments below and why it's your favorite form of travel!
If you enjoyed this article and would like to stay up-to-date with all the best budget travel tips make sure to subscribe below to receive free updates on all things travel directly to your inbox or follow us on Instagram!
Sending love from Ireland,
Kaitlyn
Comments