What Are Hostels Like? The Ultimate Guide

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Hostels are one of my favorite parts of travel, but if you haven’t stayed in one before, you may be wondering, “What are hostels like?”

While every hostel is different, most are designed to give travelers affordable accommodations and a more social travel experience than hotels. Some are quiet and relaxed, while others are focused on nightlife, coworking, or meeting other travelers.

After staying in dozens of hostels around the world, I’ve learned that the right hostel can completely change your trip. In this guide, I’ll break down what hostels are really like, including the rooms, amenities, social atmosphere, and how to choose the right hostel for your travel style.

Keep reading to learn more about hostels and how to choose the best one for your travel style.

Last updated: May 12, 2026

Published: February 3, 2024

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Ready to find a hostel? My go-to site for booking hostels is Hostelworld.

Hostelworld has over 36,000 hostels in 170+ countries, and it’s my go-to for finding a fun and clean place to stay no matter where I travel.

What Are Hostels Like?

If you’ve never stayed in one before, you might picture crowded bunk beds, noisy rooms, and very little privacy. While some hostels can be like that, modern hostels are often much more comfortable, social, and organized than many people expect.

After staying in dozens of hostels around the world, I’ve found that every hostel has a different atmosphere. Some are quiet and relaxed, while others are built around nightlife and meeting other travelers. Some feel almost like boutique hotels, while others are simple budget accommodations focused mainly on affordability.

At their core, hostels are shared accommodations designed to bring travelers together. Most hostels offer dorm-style rooms with shared spaces like kitchens, lounges, rooftops, bars, or coworking areas where guests can socialize and relax.

One of the biggest differences between hostels and hotels is the social atmosphere. In a hostel, it’s normal for travelers to talk in common areas, join activities together, or share travel tips and recommendations. Even if you arrive alone, it’s usually easy to meet people.

At the same time, hostels are not all nonstop party environments like many people assume. Many are quiet, clean, and geared toward solo travelers, digital nomads, couples, or long-term travelers looking for affordable accommodations and a good atmosphere.

The experience you have at a hostel depends heavily on the type of hostel you book, which is why reading reviews and checking the atmosphere before booking is so important.

What Hostel Rooms Are Like

One of the biggest surprises for first-time travelers is how different hostel rooms can be depending on the property you book. Some hostels are very basic, while others feel closer to boutique hotels with modern designs, private curtains, and comfortable shared spaces.

The most common type of hostel room is a shared dorm. In these rooms, each guest gets their own bed, usually a bunk bed, in a space shared with other travelers.

Dorm rooms can range from:

• Small 4-bed dorms
• Medium 6-8 bed dorms
• Large dorms with 10+ beds

Some hostels offer:

• Mixed dorms
• Female-only dorms
• Capsule-style beds
• Private rooms
• Family rooms

If you want more privacy, many hostels now offer private rooms that can feel very similar to budget hotels while still giving you access to the hostel’s social atmosphere and amenities.

Bathrooms also vary depending on the hostel. Some dorms have shared bathrooms in the hallway, while others include ensuite bathrooms connected directly to the room.

One thing many first-time hostel guests worry about is privacy. While hostels are naturally more social than hotels, many modern hostels now include features like:

• Privacy curtains
• Individual reading lights
• Personal outlets
• Storage shelves
• Secure lockers

These small details make hostel stays much more comfortable than many people expect.

At the same time, it’s important to be realistic about shared spaces. In dorm rooms, people may arrive late, pack early in the morning, snore, or come back after a night out. Bringing earplugs, a sleep mask, and headphones can make a big difference during your stay.

In my experience, smaller dorms usually provide the best balance between affordability, comfort, and social atmosphere. Large dorms are often cheaper, but they can also be noisier and less private.

Before booking, I always recommend checking recent photos and reviews on Hostelworld so you know exactly what type of room and atmosphere to expect.

Common Hostel Amenities

One thing many first-time travelers don’t realize is how much hostel amenities can vary. Some hostels are very simple and only provide the basics, while others feel almost like social hotels with cafes, coworking spaces, rooftop bars, and organized activities.

Here are some of the most common amenities you’ll find in hostels:

Amenity	What To Expect
Shared kitchens	Space to cook meals and store groceries
Common rooms	Areas to relax, work, or meet travelers
Free Wi-Fi	Available in most modern hostels
Lockers	Secure storage for valuables and luggage
Laundry facilities	Helpful for long-term travelers
Bars or cafes	Common in social and party hostels
Coworking spaces	Popular in digital nomad hostels
Free breakfast	Offered at some hostels
Walking tours and activities	Great for meeting people

Communal kitchens are one of the most useful hostel amenities, especially for budget travelers. Cooking a few meals during your trip can save a lot of money, particularly in expensive destinations.

Common rooms are also a major part of hostel culture. These shared spaces are where travelers relax, play games, work remotely, or meet people before heading out to explore the city.

Some hostels focus heavily on social activities and organize:

• Pub crawls
• Family dinners
• Group hikes
• Day trips
• City tours
• Game nights

Others are quieter and designed more for digital nomads or travelers who want a calm atmosphere.

Amenities can vary a lot depending on the hostel’s price and style. Budget hostels may only offer the basics, while higher-end hostels sometimes include pools, gyms, rooftop terraces, restaurants, or coworking spaces.

If certain amenities are important to you, filtering by them on Hostelworld makes it much easier to find the right hostel before booking.

The Different Types Of Hostels

One of the biggest misconceptions about hostels is that they are all the same. In reality, hostels can vary a lot depending on the destination, atmosphere, and type of traveler they are designed for.

Choosing the right type of hostel can completely change your experience.

Party Hostels

Party hostels are focused heavily on nightlife and social activities. These hostels often organize:

• Pub crawls
• Drinking games
• Bar events
• Club nights
• Group dinners

They are usually very social and energetic, but they can also be noisy late into the night.

Backpacker Hostels

Traditional backpacker hostels are usually budget-friendly and designed for travelers moving between destinations for weeks or months at a time.

These hostels often focus on:

• Affordable dorms
• Shared kitchens
• Social common areas
• Travel information
• Community atmosphere

This is the type of hostel many people picture first when they think of hostels.

Boutique Hostels

Boutique hostels are more modern and design-focused. Many feel closer to trendy hotels while still keeping the social atmosphere hostels are known for.

These hostels often include:

• Stylish interiors
• Privacy curtains
• Cafes and rooftop bars
• Comfortable coworking spaces
• High-end amenities

They are usually more expensive than standard backpacker hostels but still cheaper than many hotels.

Digital Nomad Hostels

Some hostels are designed specifically for remote workers and long-term travelers.

These hostels often offer:

• Fast Wi-Fi
• Coworking spaces
• Quiet work areas
• Lots of outlets
• Longer stay options

They usually have a calmer atmosphere compared to party hostels.

Quiet Or Relaxed Hostels

Not every hostel is built around partying. Many are quiet, relaxed, and better suited for travelers who want a calmer environment.

These hostels are often popular with:

• Solo travelers
• Couples
• Long-term travelers
• Older travelers
• Digital nomads

Surf, Nature, And Adventure Hostels

In beach towns and outdoor destinations, many hostels focus on activities and adventure travel.

Depending on the location, they may offer:

• Surf lessons
• Hiking tours
• Diving trips
• Yoga classes
• Outdoor activities

These hostels often have a very social and laid-back atmosphere.

Before booking any hostel, it’s important to read recent reviews so you understand the atmosphere and type of experience it offers. A hostel that’s perfect for one traveler may be completely wrong for someone else.

What A Typical Day In A Hostel Looks Like

Every hostel is different, but most follow a similar daily rhythm. One of the things I enjoy most about hostels is that they make travel feel more social and spontaneous compared to staying in hotels.

Mornings in hostels are usually pretty relaxed. Some travelers are getting ready for tours or transportation, while others are cooking breakfast, working remotely, or planning their day in the common area.

In many hostels, you’ll see people:

• Cooking in the kitchen
• Asking for local recommendations
• Booking activities
• Working on laptops
• Chatting with other travelers
• Planning day trips together

During the day, most people head out to explore the city, go on tours, work remotely, or relax around the hostel depending on the destination and atmosphere.

At night, hostels often become much more social. Some hostels organize events like:

• Walking tours
• Family dinners
• Pub crawls
• Game nights
• Rooftop gatherings
• Group outings

Even in quieter hostels, it’s common to see travelers hanging out in kitchens, lounges, or rooftop areas sharing stories and travel advice.

One thing I’ve learned after staying in dozens of hostels is that the atmosphere can completely shape your trip. A good hostel often becomes more than just a place to sleep… it becomes part of the travel experience itself.

At the same time, you are never required to socialize. One of the best parts of hostels is that you can usually choose how social or independent you want your trip to be.

Tips For Choosing The Right Hostel

Choosing the right hostel can completely change your travel experience. Two hostels in the same city can feel completely different depending on the atmosphere, location, and type of travelers they attract.

Before booking a hostel, I always recommend checking:

• Recent reviews
• Cleanliness ratings
• Safety ratings
• Location
• Dorm sizes
• Noise levels
• Included amenities
• Overall atmosphere

Reading recent reviews is especially important because they usually tell you very quickly whether a hostel is:

• Social
• Quiet
• Clean
• Party-focused
• Good for solo travelers
• Good for digital nomads

Location also matters more than many first-time travelers realize. Staying near public transportation, attractions, or walkable neighborhoods can make your trip much easier and save money on transportation.

If you are a light sleeper or prefer more privacy, smaller dorm rooms or private rooms are usually worth considering. Many modern hostels now offer:

• Female-only dorms
• Capsule beds
• Privacy curtains
• Ensuite bathrooms
• Quiet hours

Amenities can also make a big difference during longer trips. Some things I personally look for include:

• Lockers
• Reliable Wi-Fi
• Kitchens
• Laundry facilities
• Common areas
• Air conditioning
• Curtains and outlets by the bed

One of the best ways to find the right hostel is by using Hostelworld filters and reviews to compare different properties before booking. The atmosphere and traveler reviews are usually the biggest indicators of whether a hostel will match your travel style.

Final Thoughts On What Hostels Are Like

Hostels can be very different from one another, but most offer a more social, flexible, and budget-friendly travel experience than traditional hotels.

Some hostels are quiet and relaxed, while others are built around nightlife, coworking, or group activities. Many modern hostels now include comfortable dorms, private rooms, coworking spaces, cafes, and organized events that make them appealing to all kinds of travelers, not just backpackers.

After staying in dozens of hostels around the world, I’ve found that the right hostel can completely shape your experience in a destination. A good hostel can help you meet people, save money, discover local recommendations, and make solo travel feel much easier.

At the same time, choosing the right hostel matters. Reading reviews, checking the atmosphere, and understanding what type of hostel you are booking can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your stay.

If you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, don’t assume they are all crowded party dorms. Many are far more comfortable, organized, and welcoming than first-time travelers expect.

Ready to book your first hostel? Hostelworld is still my favorite platform for comparing reviews, amenities, room types, and hostel atmospheres before booking.

Looking for more hostel guides?

• Amenities in Hostels
• Benefits of Staying in Hostels
• Hostel Safety for Solo Female Travelers
• Hostel Age Limits
• Lockers in Hostels
• Laundry in Hostels
• Packing List for Hostels
• Private Rooms in Hostels
• Toiletries in hostels
• What are hostels like?