Hostels generally offer accommodation in single, gender-separated dormitories with shared bathrooms. Most hostels offer a really cheap type of accommodation with just the basics. However, some hostels offer private rooms, and sometimes these rooms may even have a private bathroom. Many hostels offer shared kitchens and living rooms and some also have internet access on site. Hostelling is a popular way of traveling for students and young people, but most hostels today no longer have age restrictions, which means that even middle-aged and elderly people can stay. It’s a basic way to travel, but one of the benefits is that it offers the opportunity to connect with other like-minded travelers. The atmosphere in hostels is often very informal, casual, and friendly, so even when you’re traveling alone, it should be quite easy to make new friends.
Some of the hostel websites also offer message boards, travel stories, and various travel-related services such as travel insurance, rail passes, adventure tours, flights, and car rentals. A very cool feature of some of the hostel websites is that they offer hostel property ratings that have been completed by previous travellers, giving you an idea of the quality of the property in question. Hostel websites usually allow you to search availability by date and make a reservation online.
As of March 2005, dorm-style accommodations can be as little as $25.00 per night, with most properties charging $30-$40.00 per night. Private rooms range from $27.50 and up per person, with most properties ranging from $35.00 to $70.00 per night per person.
Here is a list of some of the top hostelling websites:
http://www.hostels.com
The Hostels.com website states that it presents the most comprehensive selection of hostels on the Internet with nearly 7,000 hostels listed.
http://www.hostelsclub.com
Hostelsclub defines itself as a young and dynamic company that offers the budget traveler an online booking engine for destinations all over the world: Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Oceania and Africa. Hostelsclub offers a wide range of accommodation options for all budget travellers.
Hostelling International (HI) operates a network of over 4,000 hostels in over 60 countries. Their website indicates that the US offers the largest network of quality hostels.
[http://www.hostelweb.com]
Hostelweb specializes in the western United States with over 67 hostels in 11 western states. Obviously not an option for New York City, but certainly a good reference for travel plans to the western US.
http://www.hostelworld.com
Hostelworld.com offers online bookings at thousands of hostels around the world. You can check their hostel reviews, view photos and read detailed descriptions of all their hostels. You can confirm reservations at a selection of youth hostels, independent hostels and international hostels in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania.
Happy Hostel…