If you crave a colorful travel experience consider booking a youth hostels instead of a hotel for your next trip. First time hostel-goers and seasoned pros alike should remember these five indispensable tips for finding the perfect accommodations.
1) Go beyond the guide.
Guide books are excellent travel tools, but they're not infallible. Sometimes a good write up in a popular guide allows a hostel to raise the rates and slide on service while keeping a packed house all the while. Write down recommendations from other travelers who have already visited your next destination or consult an online traveler's forum to get personalized advice.
2) Find a spot that suits your style.
Do you want peace and quiet or a party to remember? Not every hostel is going to be right for you. If you want to meet and socialize with other travelers, look for hostels that plan events and have active common areas, and keep in mind the best party hostels are not always the cleanest or quietest. Privacy seekers should root out hostels with a quiet common space and private rooms and bathrooms.
3) Travel without reservations.
Literally. As strange as it seems to show up unprepared, booking hostels in advance can put you at a disadvantage. It's difficult to get a feel for a hostel online or over the phone, and advance reservation rates are frequently higher. Book ahead only if you suspect that there may be limited availability in the area. Otherwise, keep your options open. Hostel travel is all about going with the flow.
4) Get the right room at the right rate.
Even if you have your heart set on a particular hostel, ask to see the rooms before paying. The quality of rooms may vary and asking for a preview usually gets you a nicer place. Hostel keepers aren't always forthcoming with the best available deals either. Ask politely for rooms with lower rates, but don't be pushy. In the end saving a few more dollars is not worth annoying anyone who knows where you sleep.
5) Go with your gut.
First impressions are important. If the hostel you're checking out gives you a bad vibe, look elsewhere. If the place you've been staying isn't all you had hoped, don't be complacent. Switch rooms or look for other alternatives in the area. A search during check out time is the best for availability.
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