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Hostels vs. Hotels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]
Hostels vs. Hotels
Travelers now have more options than ever before.
Sites like Agoda.com allow you to browse properties around the world and compare prices within seconds. In the past 20 years, hostels have become increasingly popular, while hotels are still as popular as ever.
In this guide, we’ll compare hostels and hotels.
After defining both, I’ll cover the differences between the lodging types - including atmosphere, cost, safety, privacy and amenities. Lastly, I’ll compare hostels and hotels with Airbnb (an increasingly popular choice).
*Agoda.com is one of the best places to find and book hotels and hostels online. For today’s deals on hotels or hostels in any destination, click here.
Table of Contents
Definition Of A Hostel
A hostel is budget accommodation that rents (mostly) dorm beds. Some hostels will also rent private rooms. Hostel guests share the bathrooms and have access to common areas and a kitchen. Hostel properties vary from modest cabins to modern boutique estates. To learn about the 10 types of hostels, click here.
Definition Of A Hotel
While hostels rent dorm beds, hotels rent full rooms. Hotel rooms typically cost more than hostel beds, but can also offer more privacy and, at times, more safety. Hotels usually have a common area/lobby. Rooms can vary from compact studios to luxury suites, and from secluded, jungle bungalows to urban high-rises.
*For today’s deals on hostels and hotels in any destination, click here.
Hostels vs. Hotels Comparison
The primary difference between hostels and hotels is - hostels rent beds in a shared room while hotels rent private rooms. Hostel guests share bathrooms, while hotel guests usually have their own (guests in budget hotels sometimes also share bathrooms).
Below, we’ll compare hostels and hotels in 5 key categories:
Atmosphere
Price
Safety
Privacy
Amenities
Atmosphere Comparison
Hostels: Usually better for meeting new people
Hotels: Usually better for privacy and comfort
Hostels (generally) aim to foster a social atmosphere amongst their guests, while hotels (generally) aim to comfort guests through space and service. Hostel staff are usually more “laid-back”, while hotel staff tend to be more “professional” (service-focused). Hotel guests tend to value service more, and may require attention during a stay (think families, large groups, elderly).
Hostel guests are more often solo or in small groups, which makes them more spontaneous and/or willing to meet other travelers. The shared spaces in hostels often lead to more organic interactions. It’s common for hostel guests to become friends (groups can form within minutes). Many hostels run events like game nights, pub crawls, cooking classes and walking tours.
To find hostels with a great atmosphere, check their atmosphere rating on Hostelworld. Read each listing’s Property Description section and recent guest reviews. For the complete guide to using Hostelworld to find your ideal hostel, click here.
Hotel guests are more often couples, families and large groups - all more likely to keep to themselves compared to solo travelers or small groups. Due to this, hotels have less incentivize to foster interaction between guest groups, leading to a less “collective” atmosphere. This is why luxury hotels can feel quite impersonal if traveling solo, but are great if you want to relax with space. It just depends what you’re after.
If you’re traveling with children, a hotel will probably be the better choice. Some hostels are family-friendly, but they’re usually better suited for teenagers than early adolescent children. To find a hotel with a great atmosphere, read the listing’s property description and recent guest reviews on Agoda.com (a great place to find deals on hotel rooms around the world).
*For today’s deals on hostels and hotels in any destination, click here.
Price Comparison
Hostels: Usually better for solo travelers and large groups
Hotels: Usually better for couples and small groups
Booking a hostel dorm bed is almost always cheaper than booking a hotel room - due to the number of beds per room. For example, while a hotel could sell a room for $60, a hostel could sell 6 beds in that same room for $10 each to earn the same amount. This is why high guest volume is so important for hostels.
The price range for hotel rooms spans much wider than the range for hostel dorm beds. As hotel rooms are private, there’s no limit to how luxurious they can be. However, hostel dorms have a “reasonable” price-cap because guests are sharing a room and bathroom.
Hostels are not always cheaper though! Luxury hostel beds can cost more than budget hotel rooms. Budget hostel beds can go as low as $3/night in some places, while luxury hostel beds can cost $150+/night during holidays (Carnival, Diwali, New Year, etc.). Budget hotel rooms can go as low as $5/night in some places, while luxury hotel suites can exceed $50,000/night.
Hostels save you money on accommodation so you’ll have more to spend on food, attractions and flights. For example, an 8-bed dorm room for a large group is almost always cheaper than booking a hotel suite for 8. For couples and small groups, the cost of a private hostel room is often comparable to a hotel room. But don’t assume because a hostel is cheaper, it’s a worse overall experience! Many hostels provide activities like walking tours, barbecue, bike rentals, game nights and more - while many hotels offer far less.
*For today’s deals on hostels and hotels in any destination, click here.
Safety Comparison
Hotels are (generally) safer than hostels.
Most hotel rooms are only accessible via key/card, which means your belongings tend to be more secure. However, it’s not hard to find a safe hostel - just make sure you book one that provides lockers (and key card access, if you prefer). Filter the search on Hostelworld by selecting the “Security Lockers” and “Key Card Access” filters below the “Facilities” tab.
Most hostels expect guests to bring their own lock for their assigned locker. Locks are one of the ten things every traveler should bring to a hostel. For the full list, click here. To learn how to keep your belongings protected in a hostel, read the Hostel Safety Guide. When considering a hotel or hostel, always research the neighborhood safety, read all recent guest reviews, and browse the property’s photos.
*For today’s deals on hostels and hotels in any destination, click here.
Privacy Comparison
In general, hotels offer more privacy than hostels.
While many hostels offer private rooms, the majority of their guests book dorm beds. If you book a dorm bed, you’ll be sharing a bedroom and bathroom with other guests. To learn all about dorm and bathroom etiquette in hostels, click here.
Over the past five years, it’s become very common for hostel beds to be equipped with adjustable curtains, which provide a greater level of privacy. However, this feature isn’t standard, and many hostel managers feel that curtains erode the social/communal atmosphere.
*For today’s deals on hostels and hotels in any destination, click here.
Amenities Comparison
Hostels and hotels can range from bare-bones huts to mini “theme parks”.
In general, the more you pay, the more amenities your hostel/hotel will provide (to an extent). If you prefer abundant amenities, consider increasing your budget or filter your search results on booking sites. Some common amenities you may find in a hostel or hotel include an on-site bar/restaurant, billiards table, fitness center, breakfast buffet and an outdoor patio.
Quality hotels and hostels clean rooms, bathrooms and common areas daily. If you’re concerned about a hostel’s cleanliness, check its cleanliness rating on Hostelworld prior to booking. While hotels typically provide basic toiletries (such as shampoo, body soap, toothpaste), hostels typically expect guests to bring their own (often a towel as well!). For the ten things every traveler should bring to a hostel, click here.
While most hotels provide a power outlet beside every bed, many hostels don’t. If you’ll be in more than one hostel on a trip, consider bringing a power strip with you. For a reasonably-sized power strip, click here.
Breakfast varies by property. If you want room service, choose a hotel. Many hotels provide a kitchenette or kitchen in private rooms, while most hostels provide a shared, communal kitchen on the property. To find a hostel with a kitchen, filter searches on Hostelworld. To learn about hostel kitchen etiquette, click here.
*For today’s deals on hostels and hotels in any destination, click here.
Hostels/Hotels vs. Airbnb
Airbnb.com offers a wide variety of accommodation options. Airbnb is not an accommodation “type”, but rather a marketplace where hosts can list any type of accommodation on - including hostels and hotels. A guest can rent a bed, room or entire home - resulting in great properties and deals to be found, especially if you book ahead, off-season or find weekly or monthly rates. It’s possible to find apartments on Airbnb less than the cost of a hostel bed or budget hotel room.
On Airbnb, safety, privacy and amenities will vary by listing, but the experience usually goes smoothly if you book through a highly-rated host. The best way to find a quality Airbnb with the amenities you want, is to use the search filters and stick to listings with a rating of 4.8 or higher and 20 or more reviews. For step-by-step help showing you how to find and book on Airbnb, just follow our Airbnb Booking Guide.
*For today’s deals on hostels and hotels in any destination, click here.
Conclusion
Hopefully you found this guide helpful.
Travel accommodation is about personal preference. If you’re seeking comfort, security and service above all, a hotel is likely your best option. If you want a social environment where you can meet other travelers and save money, consider booking a hostel. For the social atmosphere of a hostel combined with the privacy of a hotel, consider a private hostel room. To learn more about hostels, explore our other guides below.
Enjoy your travels!
How To Find Discounts On Hostels And Hotels
For great deals on a wide variety of accommodation (including hostels, budget hotels, resorts, apartments, homes, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, and unique or alternative types), use the Agoda widget below. Just input your destination and dates, then browse the results! Or to go directly to Agoda.com, click here.
Learn More About Hostels
Introduction To Hostels
Hostels vs. Hotels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]
Guest Houses vs. Hostels Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]
Five Reasons Every Traveler Should Experience A Hostel [At Least Once]
Know Before You Go
Learn About Hostelworld
Common Questions & Concerns
Is Hostelworld.com Safe And Legit? [Plus How To Avoid Potential Issues]
Does Hostelworld Offer Discount Codes? [Students, Interrail, Gift Cards]
Is A Hostelworld Booking Refundable? [Refund Policy Explained]
Get Started With Hostelworld
The Complete Guide To Hostelworld.com [Find Your Perfect Hostel]
How To Book Your Hostel On Hostelworld [Search, Filters, Fees]
How To Pay On Hostelworld [Credit Card, Best Price Guarantee, Arrival]
Post-Booking Questions
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