Choosing the right hostel accommodations

You probably have a cheap ticket to your dream destination and a set of iterenaries in mind but dont have an affordable place to stay.

One of the problems a budget traveller may experience is choosing a low cost alternative to hotel accommodations and hostels or guesthouses may be the answer for you. When I travel around, I dont usually go to a hotel because they are ofcourse expensive, I dont need those extra services that hotels offer, all I need is a place to sleep and leave my bags and things so they wont get wet or stolen in the streets.

Before booking or staying in a hostel, let take look on some points to consider.

1. Google it!

You have to have as much information on your place to stay, websites such as hostels.com or hostelworld.com offers different hostels or guesthouses for you to choose and can actually compare prices from different establishments according to your budget. Hostels have different type of accommodations, be it single room to a dorm type and even type of toilets. Based on my experience, I dont have experience on the room especially when I book a dorm type accommodations, I usually look at their criteria. A dirty toilet is a big no no for me. Dorm types are usually the cheapest but you have to share a bathroom. Luckily, the places Ive been through have a clean bathrooms even though its shared. 

2. Location

Location of the hostel is very important, it should be near the city center because you dont need to spend extra for transportation. If its not in the city center, it should be near the MRT or the bus stop. In Singapore, I stayed at 98SG which is very close to the MRT while in KL, I stayed at Travellers Palm, it is centrally located in KL’s hip disctrict. However, my hostel in Hong Kong was located in the major tourist street but it was very difficult to locate. It took me 2 hours to find it.

3. WIFI

Next I consider after location is WIFI availability. Free Wifi is a big plus for me especially is availble in the room. Some hostels may offer wifi only in the lobby alone. 

4. Culure

What I like about dorm type accommodation is meeting different people from all over the world. Sometimes in a room, we are 4 different nationalities. 

5. Breakfast/Kitchen/Laundry

Although Im not particular with breakfast, kitchen and laundry facilities, this is a big help for backpackers staying more than a week. They can wash their clothes for $5 unless they want to buy new clothes for them. \