Guest Houses vs. Hostels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]

Guest HousesHostels
Written By Taz Zaidi

Guest Houses vs. Hostels

Guest houses and hostels are similar lodging types.

They both cater to travelers seeking a “non-standard” lodging experience, but who also prefer to save money while traveling. Still, there are key differences to know about between these two accommodation types.

In this guide, we’ll compare guest houses to hostels.

After defining both, I’ll compare them in atmosphere, price, safety, privacy and amenities, then opine on the type of traveler that should choose either type. To see our Guest Houses vs. Hotels comparison, click here.

*Agoda.com is one of the best places to book guest houses and hostels. To see today’s deals on guest houses and hostels in your destination, click here.

Definition Of A Guest House

A guest house (also spelled “guesthouse”) is a type of accommodation where the traveler stays in a home hosted by a local resident. Guest houses are typically less expensive, more personalized and less formal than hotels. In some destinations, guest houses can be the most common and/or only type of lodging available.

Definition Of A Hostel

A hostel is a type of budget accommodation that rents (mostly) dorm beds. Some hostels rent a few private rooms as well. Hostel guests typically share bathrooms and usually have access to common areas and a shared kitchen. Hostels can vary greatly, from modest cabins to modern boutique properties.

*To see today’s deals on guest houses and hostels, click here.

Guest Houses vs. Hostels Comparison

Let’s compare guest houses to hostels in 5 key categories:

  • Atmosphere

  • Price

  • Safety

  • Privacy

  • Amenities

Atmosphere Comparison

Guest Houses: Better for a “homely atmosphere”

Hostels: Typically better for meeting people

The atmosphere in guest houses and hostels is usually more relaxed and laid-back than the atmosphere in hotels. Guest houses and hostels are typically smaller than hotels, and have more compact common areas. Shared spaces lead to organic interactions between the guests and often fosters a more “social” atmosphere.

A hostel is usually the best accommodation choice for meeting other travelers. This is because hostel guests are more likely to be traveling solo or in small groups. They’re also typically more spontaneous. For example, it’s common for two or more hostel guests to quickly become friends and go explore town together.

Guest houses tend to be family-owned and operated, meaning the “staff” who checks you in, cooks your breakfast and cleans your room are often the host and their family members. Hosts very often live in or near the same property as the guests, creating an intimate, “homely” setting where guests can experience culture from a local’s perspective (including daily life, cuisine, customs, language, etc.).

In guest houses, it’s common for hosts to share a meal or drinks with other guests. The timing and rules in guest houses are usually less rigid than in hostels. For example, guest house hosts might ask what time you want breakfast served (rather than telling you when to show up). Many guest house hosts do not work set hours. Rather, their schedule is flexible to the needs and schedules of their guests at the time.

Many guest houses and hostels offer staff-led events and activities, like game nights, treks, walking tours and barbecues. In regions that receive few outside visitors, guest houses may be the only lodging option available in town. To learn about the 8 types of guest houses (with 5 examples of each), click here. For the 10 hostel types (with 5 examples of each), click here.

To find a hostel with a great atmosphere, check its atmosphere rating and read its property description and reviews on Hostelworld. For a complete guide to using the Hostelworld website, click here.

*To see today’s deals on guest houses and hostels, click here.

Price Comparison

Guest House: Better for lower-priced rooms

Hostels: Better for lower-priced dorm beds

Guest house rooms and hostel beds will usually be the cheapest lodging options in an area. If you sort your search on Agoda.com to display lowest prices first, guest houses and hostels will often fill the first page of results. By saving money on lodging, you’ll have more to spend on food, attractions and transportation.

In my experience, the nightly rate of the typical guest house is often about the same as local 2 or 3-star hotel rooms. Of course, this is not absolute, as nightly rates will depend on multiple factors, such as the property types available in that area. Luxury guest house rooms can cost more than budget hotel rooms, while urban guest houses will often cost more than rural hotels.

While hostel beds typically cost less than guest house rooms, luxury hostel beds can easily cost more than guest house rooms. Budget hostel beds can cost as low as $3/night in some countries, and luxury hostel beds can exceed $100/night during popular holidays such as Oktoberfest, New Years or Carnival.

The cost of a hostel bed typically decreases as the number of beds per room increases. For example, a bed in an 8-bed dorm room usually costs less than a bed in a 4-bed dorm (within the same property).

Some guest houses and hostels, particularly properties located in cash-based economies (like parts of South Asia, Eastern Europe and Central America), will only accept cash payment. To learn exactly how to pay for a hostel stay, click here. For exactly how to pay for a guest house stay, click here.

*To see today’s deals on guest houses and hostels, click here.

Safety Comparison

Safety varies by property (in both lodging types).

In a hostel, you’ll share a room with other travelers. Due to this, hostel dorms generally are not as safe as guest house rooms. Before you book a hostel stay, be sure to read our Hostel Safety Guide and 10 Things To Bring To A Hostel. In hostels, guests are expected to bring their own lock for their assigned locker.

To find a hostel that offers more protection for your personal belongings, you can try to filter your search on Hostelworld by selecting the “Security Lockers” and/or “Key Card Access” filter under the “Facilities” tab (in screenshot). For a step-by-step guide on how to book a hostel, follow our Hostel Booking Guide.

Guest house hosts often live in or nearby the same property as their guests. This isn’t necessarily unsafe, but it’s why you should stick to guest houses that’ve been highly rated by past guests. When booking your guest house stay, follow our Guest House Booking Guide. To learn more about hostel safety, click here.

*To see today’s deals on guest houses and hostels, click here.

Privacy Comparison

Guest houses offer more privacy than hostels.

If you book a hostel bed, you should expect to share a bedroom, bathroom(s) and common areas with other guests. To learn all about dorm and hostel bathroom etiquette, click here. For the most privacy in a hostel, consider booking a private room or dorm room with fewer beds (such as a 2 or 4-bed dorm room).

Over the past decade, it’s become common for hostel beds to include adjustable curtains. This offers more privacy for each guest, but this feature isn’t standard, and many hostel managers believe curtains erode the social and communal atmosphere unique to hostels.

Some guest houses offer complete privacy to all their guests, while others require their guests to share some features. Many guest houses include a shared kitchen and lobby/lounge, meaning you could potentially see your host and other guests each time you enter or exit your room. This isn't necessarily negative if you want to meet other travelers and interact with the host. But if you want more privacy (like if on a honeymoon or family trip), consider booking a hotel instead. Mid to upper-tier hotels offer the most privacy of all lodging.

*To see today’s deals on guest houses and hostels, click here.

Amenities Comparison

Both range in amenities and features.

Guest houses and hostels can be minimalistic or offer various amenities. To find a property with abundant amenities, consider increasing your budget and filter your search results when booking. For help finding a guest house that fits your tastes and budget, click here. For help finding your ideal hostel, click here.

If you’re seeking something specific (like a boutique guest house or jungle hostel), read 8 Types Of Guest Houses and 10 Types Of Hostels (both include five examples of each type). Some guest house and hostel properties lead activities and events, like wine tastings, guided hikes, walking tours and cooking classes.

Quality guest houses and hostels clean the bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas daily. If you’re worried about a hostel’s cleanliness, check its cleanliness rating on Hostelworld. Hotels usually provide basic toiletries (shampoo, body soap, toothpaste), but guest houses and hostels typically expect guests to bring their own. For the 5 items to bring to a guest house, click here. For the 10 items to bring to a hostel, click here.

Guest houses and hostels typically have a communal kitchen. To find a hostel with a kitchen/kitchenette, filter the search on Hostelworld. To find guest houses that provide breakfast or a kitchen/kitchenette, filter your search on Agoda.com by clicking “More” (below the search bar), then select “Breakfast included” under the “Room offers” and “Kitchen” filters under “Room amenities” (screenshot below).

*To see today’s deals on guest houses and hostels, click here.

So, Which Option Should You Choose?

Guest houses and hostels offer similar benefits, such as low nightly rates and an easy way to meet other travelers in a relaxed, laid-back setting. The decision comes down to the experience you prefer. Consider a guest house if you’re a solo traveler, couple, group or family seeking a “homely” experience and want to connect with a host in a relaxed, fairly private setting. For help finding guest houses that fit your tastes and budget, follow our Guest House Booking Guide.

Consider a hostel if you’re a solo traveler, couple or group who wants to interact with other travelers and do not mind less privacy and comfort as a tradeoff for saving some money. For more comfort and privacy in a hostel, consider booking a private room. For help booking a hostel, follow our Hostel Booking Guide.

*To see today’s deals on guest houses and hostels, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

We explored the similarities and differences between guest houses and hostels in five key categories. Both can provide fulfilling, memorable experiences at fair nightly rates. To learn more about guest houses and hostels, explore our other guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

How To Find Deals On Guest Houses & Hostels

Agoda.com is a great place to find and book a guest house or hostel online. You’ll find many properties for groups, solo travelers, couples and families. To see Agoda’s best deals on guest houses and hostels in your destination, click here. If you’ve never stayed in a guest house before and want a step-by-step guide showing you exactly how to find and book your ideal guest house, use our Guest House Booking Guide.

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Taz Zaidi [Author]
Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

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Taz Zaidi
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