Why Choose a HI Hostel?

The modern definition of what a hostel is and who it’s intended for greatly differs from the definition of the previous century. If hostels were once regarded as cheap student accommodation with old mattresses in rooms crammed full of bunk beds, today we approach them in a quite different manner. They’re not only popular among young people and its guests practically don’t belong to any age category. I often meet older couples, mature groups, young families with babies and school groups from other continents, not just travellers in their 20s and older. The assumption that hostels offer lower quality services is also a myth. They offer rooms with different numbers of beds and you can simply choose whichever type you prefer. Of course, the price changes depending on the type you select. You can choose between a double room, a dorm, a female-only dorm, a male-only dorm or a mixed dorm.

There’s a growing number of providers who publish gorgeous photos of their rooms and promise all kinds of things. When you visit the room or the suite, however, you soon find out that they’ve skilfully concealed the walls with peeling paint and mould, not to mention the lack of flower bouquets and swans (made of towels) that you saw in the photos. And the room, of course, is located in a dark apartment building in a shady part of the street. A young man answers the phone and appears outside the front door after a few minutes to hand over the keys to you, which you then leave in the letter box on the last day of your stay. Even if such a service is advertised as a hostel or a suite it’s actually a complete mess and you don’t even know where you’re actually staying at. The HI network doesn’t have such scams.

In order for the owner or the manager to be able to compete with the best HI hostels and enter their hostel network they have to meet all the standards laid down by Hostelling International, which connects more than 4,000 hostels in 80 countries around the globe and which has been endeavouring to promote quality travel since 1909. HI hostels ensure high-quality and safe accommodation in pleasant surroundings and at affordable rates.

At the same time owners look for new stories which would bring them closer to travellers. In Ljubljana, for instance, offices and old vault rooms have been transformed into a hostel, so travellers can become real bankers, and in Stockholm you can book a place to stay inside an airplane. In California, for example, a hostel has been set up in a charming lighthouse by the sea.

Here are 5 reasons why I always opt for a HI hostel. At a HI hostel…

1. You’re never alone.
   Whether you’re travelling alone, in a pair or with friends, you’re never alone at a HI hostel. Most hostels offer “chill out” rooms, bars and other group rooms (usually with sofas and table-top games, billiard, table football etc.). That way you can quickly establish connections with other travellers after spending the whole day outside exploring the new city. One word leads to another, you exchange your experiences of the city and talk about expectations and you quickly get a new idea about what to see, or receive a tip on when to visit a museum to avoid long queues or where to find the best spots for a great photo.
2. There’s free breakfast available and you can use the kitchen.
   I find this to be a major advantage. Most hostels also include free breakfast in the price, which is very friendly for your travel budget. Sometimes it’s also good to prepare a simple meal with your friends and not waste money in expensive restaurants two times daily.
3. Staying at a HI hostel is cheap.
   Compared to other types of accommodation, hostels are mostly cheaper. It’s also worth noting that HI Card holders get a 10% discount at HI hostels per booking.
4. Safety, comfort and quality are ensured.
   Receptionists are friendly and will give you lots of tips. They gladly offer assistance when you need help getting around the city or if you need some advice when it comes to good night clubs, local treats and points of interest. Once, they even called a cab at 4 a.m., so we could get to the airport. I’ve always felt safe, comfortable and cosy at HI hostels.
5. They also offer other services.
   Another major advantage of a HI hostel is that you can use washing machines. This is very convenient when you’re on a long trip carrying hand luggage with you. They usually also have bicycle sheds where you can park your rental bike that you use to explore the city. Another great thing is the luggage room where you can, as the name suggests, safely leave your luggage until it’s time to go to the airport. That way you can freely head to the old town to enjoy your last coffee.

HI hostels are great because they always make me feel almost like at home. I was recently convinced again at Berlin HI Youth Hostel International that a hostel is the best choice when it comes to travel accommodation. My favourite hostel in Slovenia, though, is still the charming Alieti hostel in the coastal town of Izola. It’s the reason why I’m so excited to go back to the Slovenian coast every summer.