Let’s Beat Prejudice Against Hostels – Part 2

High standard of cleanliness also in hostels

There are many reasons why someone would rate accommodation as dirty or untidy. Expectations are diverse, as are the habits of each individual. Today most hostels have housekeepers who maintain a high standard of cleanliness daily, just like in hotels. Some also have volunteers for this, which does not mean that they cannot do the job as good as housekeepers. However, even if the hostel provides quality cleaning of the premises, it is necessary to be aware that you cannot avoid the mess when you share a room with untidy individuals who do not know the hostel's rules or even despise them. In this case, it is always good to inform the reception, as it can take appropriate action.

The presence of bed bugs does not mean poor hygienic conditions

Bed bugs are brought to the accommodation by guests together with their luggage. In my experience, many hostels regularly perform preventive heat treatments of individual rooms and strictly refuse using personal bedding or sleeping bags. They avoid wooden beds as well as various wall coverings. Like hotels, the vast majority of hostels send their bedclothes to the laundries for cleaning daily. If they still face bed bugs, they, of course, take appropriate action. Guests are carefully relocated to another room, and the staff offers them free but mandatory cleaning of their clothes and backpacks. The team also closes the room entirely and immediately calls experts to disinsect the premises.

Each accommodation offers secure storage of personal items

These days, it’s almost impossible to find accommodation that wouldn’t offer storage space, in some form or another, for your valuable items. Dormitories always contain lockers where you can safely store your belongings. However, I advise you to bring your own lock, as not every hostel offers free usage of lockers or the option to purchase locks at reception. More and more hostels are also opting for security cameras and a personalised card or code for opening lockers and rooms.

Unfortunately, theft can happen no matter where you travel to or where you stay

Fortunately, as a traveller, I have never experienced theft. But as an employee, in both hostel and hotel, I have encountered various situations where something went missing. These were mostly the cases where guests forgot or misplaced something themselves. Only once it happened that we caught a guest stealing. Lost or forgotten items were found in most cases and sent to guests in their home countries, although sometimes they were sentimental value items. Nonetheless, it is crucial to be aware that theft can, unfortunately, happen no matter where you travel to or where you stay, and that it is always important to handle your more valuable items as carefully as possible.

When sharing a room with the opposite sex is out of the question

Hostels have listened to such wishes, as in many places you can book a bed in a female only or male-only dormitory. If you still find yourself uncomfortable in the company of some travellers or do not feel safe, inform the staff without hesitation and ask to change the room! You can read more about safety in one of the previous articles.

Private rooms with bathroom are also available

Some hostels address the need for more privacy by offering curtains on bunk beds or delimiting the beds with different partitions. However, hostels nowadays no longer provide just rooms with multiple beds, but also private rooms. In some places, these private rooms also have their own bathroom, just like hotels.

Hostels, parties and a good night’s sleep

If you research your potential accommodation at least slightly in advance, it will be relatively easy to determine what type of hostel it is. Some have the word PARTY in the name, or it is apparent at least from their past guests' written opinions and assessments. But even if the hostel's main feature is party, the staff still strives to maintain some order and peace at night. For example, in one of the most popular party hostels in Prague, the rule is that the party moves to bars and clubs after 10 p.m. Each staff member even has one to two shifts a week to guide guests around the city and bars. The hostel thus ensures that their guests will surely enjoy themselves, and at the same time takes care of their safety, as they have the opportunity to spend every night in a group of familiar people and trustworthy staff.

Low-cost doesn't necessarily mean low-standard

Today, hostels compete in offering the highest level of service. Among the currently popular ones are hipster, elegant and boutique types of accommodation, for which hostels are ideal, as conventional hotel guidelines do not limit them. Simply put, there are hostels of different shapes, styles and sizes as well as purposes. The hostel is not intended only for sleeping, but its essence is socialising with fellow travellers, learning about new cultures and gaining new skills.

Finally, I would like to remind you that hostels’ business depends on quality services and positive reviews. Undoubtedly, it is in their best interest to provide clean, safe and comfortable accommodation, especially in these times when hygiene standards are higher, competition is fiercer, and travellers are more prudent and sustainably aware.