BootsnAll Travel Community

I know some people here don't use hostels, but if I don't my trip will have to be cut short by several weeks. I simply can't afford to stay a month without the cheap accomodations.

Is there any advice those of you who do use them would like to pass on?

eye goggles???!!

I already wear earplugs to bed, I'll have to pick up some of those eyeshades. I'm afraid I'll feel silly wearing them though.

Why Independant over HI? I've heard good things about some of the HI spots in cities I'll be staying in.

Never stayed in or near one but my sources tell me that you should bring lots of anti-bacterial everything, clean towels, patience and just know that this is a place to sleep so that you may see the world which is the big picture.

I added those last things.

Enjoy your journey!

Actually, the same applies for stays at even the top notch 5 star places...I know...

LOL Joe - I was thinking like swimming goggles Gotcha now
Thanks - Liz

*sigh*

Going over my finances again and there is no way I can take this trip and avoid the hostels. I was doing fine until the discussion of Bed Bugs started in the other forum. I can handle anything BUT bugs. *gag*

May I recommend that you avoid "dorms" and stay with the places that have 3 - 4 beds per room? And stick with the single sex rooms/floors.

Oooh, depending on where you are going you could stay in convents and monestaries. Cheap, safe, though there are some rules. Italy is big on this.

Anti-bacterial everything, goggles (why? are you likely to sleep in?), overkill. True, many many hostels are nasty but the young people, they do bathe too, you know

I think hostels get a bad rap. Avoid the Top 10 Party hostels and you'll be fine. Besides, as Ms California says, they are all just a place to sleep. Hopefully you don't get the bed next to the sex addicts or first time drinkers. (are you frightened?)

Oooh, first time drinkers are terrifying. I know that from living in residence and being a frosh leader:

"No, you don't want to stay with this boy tonight, dear. He may be cute, but you will probably regret it in the morning."
"No, I don't mind waiting here while you throw up in that bush on the way home."
"Well, just because vodka looks like water doesn't mean it has the same effect."
"No, I don't mind supporting all your body weight as we walk across campus."

Libby, read the bootsnall descriptions and I would personally try to avoid ones that are really big on mentioning their in-house bars. Try to find smaller ones, where there should be less of a crazy partying clientele.
Also, smaller single-sex rooms as opposed to saving a couple of dollars in a 16 person room (for example).

I know someone who would take sleeping pills at hostels to help ensure a good sleep. I think it's slightly extreme, but if you're really really desperate it may be worthwhile.

Ahh...such fond memories.

"I wanna go in the Grad House"
"That's not the Grad House"
"I wanna go in the Grad House"
"That's not the Grad House"
"Let me go into the Graaaaaaddddd Houuuussseee"
That's NOT the Grad House.If you go in that persons house they WILL call the police"

The problem with the Grad House, is that it is, in fact, a house. Too confusing for your run of the mill, drunk Haligonian student.

But mmmm.... cheap pitchers and bar staff that never ID's. Perfect for bringing out little underage froshies and visitors from home (like my younger sister. Sorry mom and dad). Plus, the Grad House now has all this "ethnic" food that they get catered in by Chinese food restaurant, or Indian food restaurants - whatever mood they're into at the moment.

The Grad House used to make these great Samosas. hmm...but they didn't go well with Beer. I learned that the hard way and became quite good friends with the bush outside the entrance.

Youth hostels are not just for travelers of a certain age. I have met some older people in hostels who were definetly young at heart and their insights and travel stories were fascinating. People who travel treat others with a type of respect not seen in everyday life. So I would not think twice about staying in hostels, but, you may want to bring some earplugs!!!

My advice: Stay in one and sleep. If someone talks to you, say hello. DO NOT stay on the Bounty Boat in Rovinj.(Croatia)

Hostels will let you suss them out. If you don't like the set up, don't stay. All you have to do is spend more time sussing out other joints.

So, my advice: Get every place early in the day. Look at a hostel. Sucks: BAD Very Nice: GOOD

The deal with hostels is all about YOU. You can scythe through a joint with no affect to anyone around you.. Just stay below the radar, You can cut into a person and either lead yourself to an interesting story that expands your horizons or one about uncomfortable psoriasis.
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D

ok, so we're a tad older in age and also mentality (our wild Friday night involves a cheap bottle of wine and some Scrabble arguments), and we tended to stay in hostels in New Zealand and Oz, but always paid a few extra bucks and got our own double room. You can get a single as well.

That way, we still had to share a bathroom, but at least had a private sanctuary to go to.

I've never had much trouble staying in dorm rooms, but then again I tend to stay in rooms of NO MORE than 6 people.... EVER. I like to sleep and the more people there are, the less sleep you will get.

Joe E is right about eyeshades and earplugs.

Bugs are no more a problem in hostels than in hotels. If in doubt, check out the rooms before you decide to stay there.

Strangely enough, a friend and I were talking about this very thing last night. When she was making good money, she stayed in a hostel for the company, but stayed in a private room with an ensuite and a tv. When I get a good income again, I figure I will do the same thing just because if you stay in hotels all the time, you don't meet as many people.

quote:

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Originally posted by Joe Ehrlich:
+ Bring earplugs and eye goggles.

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Yes. Earplugs are a travel necessity. I'd put it 4th after the Crown Jewels of Passport, Ticket, Money.

As for eye shades, I simply wrap my Cambodian krama (a kind of simple scarf) around my head.

I've always had people of all different ages in my room at hostels. Neither I nor they have ever had a problem, and really, hostels aren't awful.

A book for you to read as a Mature Traveller considering hostelling: Point of Departure. Perhaps not the thrilling-est travel narrative I've ever read, but it definitely gave me some insight into hostelling at any age.

I agree with many other people here. Though I like to think I'm by no means Grey yet, my hair and beard tells me differently, a little more each year.

With each passing year, I grow less and less tolerant of very large dorm rooms, and now pay a little extra for a four bed dorm if at all possible.

Some hostels are noiser than others. For example, if you go to Amsterdam, and want a Dorm, there are a lot of places. Some are filled with what I call 'vampires', people who sleep in the day and party at night.

Some are not. I now go to the Hostels where they are not as frequent.

If I have any choice at all, I now choose single rooms in Hostel situations. This gives me the companionship I crave, while allowing me to set my own lights out and lights on hours.

Many hostels, especially European ones, have single rooms for rent at much higher rates. If you go this route, you don't have to be lonely in order to sleep well.

Have a good trip!!