Luxury Hostels…so much cooler than you think!
Remember the grungy youth hostel?
Well, it’s making a comeback! But, it’s not at all grungy. In fact, luxury hostels are now designer driven contemporary accommodation offerings that have become so stylish and popular; bookings for some hostel brands are said to be up by 600%. But would you make use of a luxury hostel?
Why did we love Youth Hostels way back when…?
For a number of reasons really – they were always the cheapest place to stay other than crashing on some strangers couch. Before you set out for the day’s adventures, invariably you met other travellers who helped you map out your days’ travels and so friendships formed and fun social interactions occurred. You discovered new travel routes, new friends, hospitality lifestyles and you ended off your day regaling your travel stories over a beer with like-minded travel buddies.
What’s different with these new posh hostels?
According to a report in the Guardian, designer fittings and yoga classes are just some of the fun aspects of the new ‘luxury hostel’. The Generator hostel in London offers its guests a unique lounge with piano and designer furniture, a fancy cafe with posh nosh, a super fun check-in area and a London bus disguised as a DJ booth.
With 8 hostels positioned all over Europe, the Generator brand is big on hostels that have bars and chill-out areas, and they’re big on parties, art and technology. These are all great fun if you’re a young, budget traveller don’t you think?
With luxury hostels, you add sophistication, style and creativity to the travel mix whilst ensuring cost for accommodation remains low. It’s a community experience that makes good friends out of travellers from all over the world without having to give up some of the luxury accommodation features you’ve become accustomed to.
According to reports in the Washington Post, The Firehouse in Austin offers free breakfast; the Bivvi in Breckenridge, Colorado offers a 10-person outdoor hot tub and free hot breakfast; the Freehand Miami offers beds that have privacy screens and reading lights and the Green Tortoise in San Francisco offers free amenities, including computer and massage-chair use, breakfast, dinner, sauna and sangria.
But could you really share a dorm room with someone?
Well, that’s entirely up to you. If it’s privacy you’re after, you’re probably not going to be keen for luxury hostel accommodation. But, if you’re keen to see as much as you can on your budget, this new style of luxury community accommodation may help you stretch your pennies just that much further…which gives you a chance to see that little bit extra. It’s your call!
