A hostel is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed in a dormitory, with shared use of a lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex and have private or shared bathrooms. Private rooms may also be available, but the property must offer dormitories to be considered a hostel.[1][2] Hostels are popular forms of lodging for backpackers. They are part of the sharing economy.[3] Benefits of hostels include lower costs and opportunities to meet people from different places, find travel partners, and share travel ideas.[4] Some hostels, such as Zostel in India or Hostelling International, cater to a niche market of travelers. For example, one hostel might feature in-house social gatherings such as movie nights or communal dinners, another might feature local tours, one might be known for its parties, and another might have a quieter place to relax in serenity, or be located on the beach.[5][6] Newer hostels focus on a more trendy design interior, some of which are on par with boutique hotels.[7][8] Some may cater to older digital nomads, global nomads, and perpetual travelers that prefer slightly more upmarket private rooms or a quieter atmosphere.[9][10]
Many hostels are locally owned and operated, and are often cheaper for both the operator and occupants than hotels. Hostels may offer long-term lodging to guests for free or at a discount in exchange for work as a receptionist or in housekeeping.
Gasthouse Lohja (formerly Matkakoti), a hostel in Lohja, Finland
There are approximately 10,000 hostels in Europe and approximately 300 hostels in the United States.[11] The typical guest is between 16 and 34 years old, although it can vary depending on the country.[12]
In addition to shared kitchen facilities, some hostels have a restaurant and/or bar.[13]Washing machines and clothes dryers are often provided for an additional fee. Hostels sometimes have entryways for storing gear. Most hostels offer lockers for safely storing valuables. Some bare-bones hostels do not provide linens.[14] Some hostels may have a curfew and daytime lockouts, and some, albeit few, require occupants to do chores apart from washing and drying after food preparation.[15]
A mobile hostel is a temporary hostel that can take the form of a campsite, bus, van, or a short-term arrangement in a permanent building. They have been used at large festivals or trips where there is a shortage of lodging.[16]
In some cities, hostels reported a higher average income per room than hotels. For example, in Honolulu, Hawaii, upscale hotels reported average daily room rates of $173 in 2006, while hostel rooms brought in as much as $200 per night, for rooms of eight guests paying $25 each.[17] Even during the financial crisis of 2007–2008, many hostels reported increased occupancy numbers at a time when hotel bookings were down.[18][19]
A 2013 study in Australia showed that youth travel was the fastest-growing travel demographic and that the hostel industry was growing at a faster rate than the hotel industry. It showed that youth travel can lead to higher overall spending due to longer trips than traditional vacations.[20][21] In New Zealand, backpackers hostels had a 13.5% share of lodging guests/nights in 2007.[22][23]
Guests are advised to use etiquette due to issues with communal lodging including [24]
There is less privacy in a hostel than in a hotel. Sharing sleeping areas in a dormitory and bathrooms might not be comfortable for those requiring more privacy. However, the shared lodging makes it easier to meet new people. Some hostels encourage more social interaction between guests due to the shared sleeping areas and communal areas. Lounges typically have sofas and chairs, coffee tables, board games, books or book exchange, computers, and Internet access.
Nearly all hostels have a shared communal kitchen area for the preparation of food and a storage area with refrigerators. Most hostels have a label system to identify the owner of the food. Some hostels will have a labeled "free shelf" where guests can leave unwanted food. Theft of food can happen.[25]
Noise can make sleeping difficult, whether from snoring, talking and social activities in the lounge, people staying up to read with the light on, someone either returning late from bars or leaving early. To mitigate the effects, many guests use earplugs and blindfolds.
History
In August 1909, Richard Schirrmann, a teacher in Germany, first published his idea of inexpensive accommodation for youth travel after leading a school camping trip that was derailed by a thunderstorm. Schirrmann received considerable support and opened a makeshift hostel for hikers in the school in which he taught.[26]
On June 1, 1912, Schirrmann opened the first hostel in Altena Castle. The original hostel rooms are now a museum.[27][28]
Schirrmann served in World War I and after observing a Christmas Truce on the Western Front in December 1915, he wondered whether "thoughtful young people of all countries could be provided with suitable meeting places where they could get to know each other".[26] In 1919, he founded the German Youth Hostel Association.[29]
By 1932, Germany had more than 2,000 hostels recording more than 4.5 million overnights annually.[28] The International Youth Hostel Federation (now Hostelling International) was founded in October 1932. It is now an organization composed of more than 90 hostel associations representing over 4,500 hostels in over 80 countries.[30] These hostels cater more to school-aged children, sometimes through school trips, and families with school-aged children.
^Underwood, Brent (April 10, 2019). "Why Hostels Are The Next Big Thing In The US". Medium.
^Kelly, Shannon (April 7, 2015). "6 Reasons Why Hostels are the Best". HuffPost.
^Gates, Tom (December 11, 2014). "21 more crazy party hostels around the world". Matador Network.
^"7 Types of Hostels – Introduction to Youth Hostels, Boutique, Party, and 5 Star Hostels". HostelGeeks. 14 January 2020.
^Okona, Nneka M. (October 28, 2015). "Ultra-Cool, Ultra-Cheap Stays That Will Change Your Mind About Hostels". Travel + Leisure.
^Schwartz, Karen (July 28, 2015). "Boutique Hostels Are Giving Travelers New Options". New York Times.
^Mohn, Tanya (May 16, 2016). "Hostels Are More Popular Than Ever Among Travel-Leaning Millennials". Forbes.
^Ram, Aliya (December 27, 2016). "Millennial business travellers promise growth in hostel trade". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2022-12-10.
^Underwood, Brent (July 14, 2016). "Why Millennials (And Investors) Are Flocking To U.S. Hostels". Forbes.
^ ab"European Tourist Hostel Report". Savills. 26 January 2016.
^King, Danny (May 1, 2018). "Hotel-hostel chainlets lead with their food and drink offerings". Travel Weekly.
^Spinks, Rosie (November 27, 2017). "How old is too old to stay in a hostel?". Quartz Media.
^McGrath, Ginny (April 28, 2009). "Whatever happened to Youth Hostels?". The Times.
^Morton, Elise (June 15, 2017). "Croatian startup unveils world's first mobile hostel". Calvert 22 Foundation.
^Honan, Katie (August 12, 2019). "New York City Considers Lifting Hostel Ban to Lure More Tourists". The Wall Street Journal.
^Josephs, Leslie (November 30, 2016). "Why New York doesn't have hostels". Quartz Media.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Hostels.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hostels.
January 26, 2023
hostel, other, uses, disambiguation, spanish, lodging, hostal, student, housing, dormitory, hostel, form, cost, short, term, shared, sociable, lodging, where, guests, rent, usually, bunk, dormitory, with, shared, lounge, sometimes, kitchen, rooms, mixed, singl. For other uses see Hostel disambiguation For the Spanish lodging see Hostal For student housing see Dormitory A hostel is a form of low cost short term shared sociable lodging where guests can rent a bed usually a bunk bed in a dormitory with shared use of a lounge and sometimes a kitchen Rooms can be mixed or single sex and have private or shared bathrooms Private rooms may also be available but the property must offer dormitories to be considered a hostel 1 2 Hostels are popular forms of lodging for backpackers They are part of the sharing economy 3 Benefits of hostels include lower costs and opportunities to meet people from different places find travel partners and share travel ideas 4 Some hostels such as Zostel in India or Hostelling International cater to a niche market of travelers For example one hostel might feature in house social gatherings such as movie nights or communal dinners another might feature local tours one might be known for its parties and another might have a quieter place to relax in serenity or be located on the beach 5 6 Newer hostels focus on a more trendy design interior some of which are on par with boutique hotels 7 8 Some may cater to older digital nomads global nomads and perpetual travelers that prefer slightly more upmarket private rooms or a quieter atmosphere 9 10 Hostel dormitory room in Taiwan Many hostels are locally owned and operated and are often cheaper for both the operator and occupants than hotels Hostels may offer long term lodging to guests for free or at a discount in exchange for work as a receptionist or in housekeeping Gasthouse Lohja formerly Matkakoti a hostel in Lohja Finland There are approximately 10 000 hostels in Europe and approximately 300 hostels in the United States 11 The typical guest is between 16 and 34 years old although it can vary depending on the country 12 In addition to shared kitchen facilities some hostels have a restaurant and or bar 13 Washing machines and clothes dryers are often provided for an additional fee Hostels sometimes have entryways for storing gear Most hostels offer lockers for safely storing valuables Some bare bones hostels do not provide linens 14 Some hostels may have a curfew and daytime lockouts and some albeit few require occupants to do chores apart from washing and drying after food preparation 15 A mobile hostel is a temporary hostel that can take the form of a campsite bus van or a short term arrangement in a permanent building They have been used at large festivals or trips where there is a shortage of lodging 16 In some cities hostels reported a higher average income per room than hotels For example in Honolulu Hawaii upscale hotels reported average daily room rates of 173 in 2006 while hostel rooms brought in as much as 200 per night for rooms of eight guests paying 25 each 17 Even during the financial crisis of 2007 2008 many hostels reported increased occupancy numbers at a time when hotel bookings were down 18 19 A 2013 study in Australia showed that youth travel was the fastest growing travel demographic and that the hostel industry was growing at a faster rate than the hotel industry It showed that youth travel can lead to higher overall spending due to longer trips than traditional vacations 20 21 In New Zealand backpackers hostels had a 13 5 share of lodging guests nights in 2007 22 23 Contents 1 Issues related to communal lodging 2 History 3 See also 4 ReferencesIssues related to communal lodging EditGuests are advised to use etiquette due to issues with communal lodging including 24 There is less privacy in a hostel than in a hotel Sharing sleeping areas in a dormitory and bathrooms might not be comfortable for those requiring more privacy However the shared lodging makes it easier to meet new people Some hostels encourage more social interaction between guests due to the shared sleeping areas and communal areas Lounges typically have sofas and chairs coffee tables board games books or book exchange computers and Internet access Nearly all hostels have a shared communal kitchen area for the preparation of food and a storage area with refrigerators Most hostels have a label system to identify the owner of the food Some hostels will have a labeled free shelf where guests can leave unwanted food Theft of food can happen 25 Noise can make sleeping difficult whether from snoring talking and social activities in the lounge people staying up to read with the light on someone either returning late from bars or leaving early To mitigate the effects many guests use earplugs and blindfolds History EditIn August 1909 Richard Schirrmann a teacher in Germany first published his idea of inexpensive accommodation for youth travel after leading a school camping trip that was derailed by a thunderstorm Schirrmann received considerable support and opened a makeshift hostel for hikers in the school in which he taught 26 On June 1 1912 Schirrmann opened the first hostel in Altena Castle The original hostel rooms are now a museum 27 28 Schirrmann served in World War I and after observing a Christmas Truce on the Western Front in December 1915 he wondered whether thoughtful young people of all countries could be provided with suitable meeting places where they could get to know each other 26 In 1919 he founded the German Youth Hostel Association 29 By 1932 Germany had more than 2 000 hostels recording more than 4 5 million overnights annually 28 The International Youth Hostel Federation now Hostelling International was founded in October 1932 It is now an organization composed of more than 90 hostel associations representing over 4 500 hostels in over 80 countries 30 These hostels cater more to school aged children sometimes through school trips and families with school aged children In 1936 Franklin D Roosevelt was honorary president of AYH now Hostelling International USA John D Rockefeller III was a proponent of hostels and was president for several years 28 During World War II many hostels in Europe were temporarily shut down 28 or placed under the control of the Hitler Youth 26 In the 1960s and 1970s hostelling prospered 28 The industry declined during the 1970s energy crisis 28 Hostels continued to grow during the financial crisis of 2007 2008 in part due to their cost appeal 12 After the Great Recession the industry grew rapidly in New York City Rome Buenos Aires and Miami 31 However a 2010 law curbed the growth of hostels in New York City 32 33 See also EditBed and breakfast Hotel Inn MotelReferences Edit Definition of Hostel Hostelgeeks 28 February 2020 5 Star Hostels Hostelgeeks com p 12 Underwood Brent April 10 2019 Why Hostels Are The Next Big Thing In The US Medium Kelly Shannon April 7 2015 6 Reasons Why Hostels are the Best HuffPost Gates Tom December 11 2014 21 more crazy party hostels around the world Matador Network 7 Types of Hostels Introduction to Youth Hostels Boutique Party and 5 Star Hostels HostelGeeks 14 January 2020 Okona Nneka M October 28 2015 Ultra Cool Ultra Cheap Stays That Will Change Your Mind About Hostels Travel Leisure Schwartz Karen July 28 2015 Boutique Hostels Are Giving Travelers New Options New York Times Mohn Tanya May 16 2016 Hostels Are More Popular Than Ever Among Travel Leaning Millennials Forbes Ram Aliya December 27 2016 Millennial business travellers promise growth in hostel trade Financial Times Archived from the original on 2022 12 10 Underwood Brent July 14 2016 Why Millennials And Investors Are Flocking To U S Hostels Forbes a b European Tourist Hostel Report Savills 26 January 2016 King Danny May 1 2018 Hotel hostel chainlets lead with their food and drink offerings Travel Weekly Spinks Rosie November 27 2017 How old is too old to stay in a hostel Quartz Media McGrath Ginny April 28 2009 Whatever happened to Youth Hostels The Times Morton Elise June 15 2017 Croatian startup unveils world s first mobile hostel Calvert 22 Foundation Yerton Stewart 9 July 2006 Cutting the Budget Honolulu Star Bulletin Alban Debra December 2 2008 Winter Flashpackers Prepare to Invade Hostels CNN Salkin Allen March 14 2009 In Hostel Basement Newcomer Sets Sights Far Up the Ladder The New York Times Mohn Tanya October 7 2013 Travel Boom Young Tourists Spent 217 Billion Last Year More Growth Than Any Other Group Forbes Tourism Market Segments www destinationnsw com au Tourism research and data Ministry of Business Innovation amp Employment MBIE govt nz Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment TourismResearch govt nz DEERE KIKI October 23 2014 Top 10 hostel rules the don ts of staying in a dorm room Lonely Planet MCCROSKRIE KRISTEN August 15 2014 7 hostel horrors and how to deal with them The Sydney Morning Herald a b c Hanke Stefanie December 12 2011 Vater des Jugendherbergswerks Preussische Allgemeine Zeitung German Youth Hostels Get a Makeover Deutsche Welle November 18 2007 a b c d e f History of Hostelling Hostelling International USA Reyes Rudy 6 October 2009 Hero Living Seven Strides to Awaken Your Infinite Power Penguin Publishing Group pp 109 ISBN 978 1 101 14530 2 Our Story Hostelling International Laboy Suzette May 16 2008 South Beach becoming backpacker hot spot Seattle Times Associated Press Honan Katie August 12 2019 New York City Considers Lifting Hostel Ban to Lure More Tourists The Wall Street Journal Josephs Leslie November 30 2016 Why New York doesn t have hostels Quartz Media Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Hostels Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hostels Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Hostel amp oldid 1134157809, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
