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The thing that makes a good hostel is atmosphere. Atmosphere is that initial feeling when you walk into a room or a house or a building. You know atmosphere when you feel it, but describing it can be thing of difficulty. Here's an attempt to describe what goes into making the "backpacker atmosphere" in a hostel.

In is a feeling of commune-ality. Not that you are in a real commune, but that you are in a place that is relaxed and accepting. Out are overt security measures, which counteract the feeling of communality. In are rooms painted with different themes, or furnished as such. Out is the color white, beige, or any other neutral wall color. Out also is cleanliness, too much cleanliness ruins a place's character. In is a little dirt in the corners. Bathrooms can be the one exception. In are young people running the show, meaning the workers at the hostel are twenty-something travelers like yourself who are just working there for a month and then continuing on. Out are old proprietors and managers, no matter how lovely or helpful. In is word-of-mouth to find such a place. Out are guidebook recommendations. Definitely out is a curfew. In is someone working at the hostel who can cook real breakfasts, out is the ubiquitous continental breakfast that after a month of traveling you come to detest. In are room names, out are room numbers. In are the availability of movies and beer, right there in the hostel so that you don't really need to go anywhere for a good time. In is a backyard, stoop, or big patio and the opportunity to sleep outside if desired. In also are sprawling, maze-like old buildings. New buildings with interior symmetry are out. In hostel bars can be both in and out, depending on music and style. In are pool and ping pong tables, but out are pool and ping pong tables which are not free.