In terms of traveling, hostels are a kind of lodgings for travelers and the youth groups in which it provides shared accommodation. It functions more like a dormitory where a number of amenities are shared amongst tenants such as a common area, traveler and youthful orientation. As with youth hostels, its concept was first known in Germany in the year 1910 and then copied by several countries in the European continent. It was originally to provide low costs for accommodation in the rural areas for the city workers in which its emphasis is more on cycling, hiking and other related healthy activities. When international travel emerged in the market, associations linked with Hostelling International were emerging as well that offer accommodation not only limited to the youth workers which are called backpackers hostels. They are not affiliated with the association and there is less difference between the two.
Below are some of the things you need to understand what it means to be in a hostel.
- Generally hostels provide a kind of dormitory style for travelers sharing one room, usually around 2 to 4 persons per room are sharing. There are also other types of hostels where they offer private rooms for travelers although other amenities are shared between tenants such as the bathrooms or kitchen. For most hostellers, it is part of their policy for travelers to meet with each other.
- The rules imposed by each hostels vary and only a few of them ever impose a curfew for their tenants. Most of the modern hostels do not have any curfew for their tenants. In other cases hostels provide a limited number of days for the tenants to stay but this is rarely occurring amongst hostellers these days.
- There are hostels that only allow male or female tenants in their establishment. This is perfect for travelers who prefer exclusive hostels.
- There are hostels that require a minimum age to be granted a room.
- The style of accommodation they offer to their guests are much like hotels only that they cater more on a dormitory style. There are others that make use of old buildings revamped into a hostel for guests, resort style or modern types. There are other types that offer luxurious accommodation closer to a hotel.
If you do not mind sharing amenities between other guests and you are on a budget while traveling, taking a hostel is a perfect choice.