I’ve stayed in A LOT of hostels, 98 to be exact. (Yes, I did sit down and count all of them). With such an experience, I think I’m apt at defining a good hostel experience. These two posts are my collection of the best places I’ve stayed and what made them so special. Expect some heart-warming memories, as well as hilarious anecdotes. But before we begin I’d like to mention why I stay in hostels.
Meeting people.
For most of my life, I have travelled alone. As a social individual, this is not ideal, but hostels foster a type of friendship you cannot get anywhere else. Everybody is passing through momentarily, you can be your true self with no worries what people think because unless you really hit it off like Dom, Elliot and I did you are unlikely to see them again.
Without further ado, let’s start…
No. 10 – Jolly Camping in Town, Venice (Sort of…)
Off the back of a couple of lonely days in Verona, where I couldn’t find a hostel, I was excited to visit Venice, make some friends and explore this perpetually famous city.
I jumped off the train and quickly located the bus stop. Buses? In Venice? Jolly Camping is located 10 km away from Venice city and requires a bus transfer, but that’s simple enough, right?
No…
The bus arrived on time (Mussolini did more than just the trains it seems) but would not let me on as I had not booked in advance. Instead, despite the empty spaces on the shuttle, I was made to wait for another hour with a small group of similarly lost and bereft of accommodation tourists. But what a stroke of luck this turned out to be.
Among the group was Jimena, a Colombian who had been travelling in Europe for a few weeks and with whom I instantly hit it off. While we say together playing Monopoly cards Jimena told me all about life in Colombia and how I must visit one day. “Perhaps, one day I will visit” I said, not really knowing how much this chance encounter would impact my life.
When the bus arrived an hour later we were all ready to go straight to the hostel, dump our bags and grab a glass of wine (it’s Italy after all).
The hostel was less of a hostel though and more of a permanent campsite, with cabins, a swimming pool, restaurant and an on-site shop, perfect for those late night alcohol purchases!
So what made this hostel so special?
The swimming pool and bar created the perfect breeding ground for conversation and while there were several families staying at the campsite, us solo travelling 20-somethings were able to band together and have a great time. The fact that there was a pool party that went on late into the night was a huge help too, bringing everyone out of our shells.
Was it unique? No
Was it inspiring? No
But did I have a really fun time there? Yes, and that’s what matters most.
Feel inspired to stay here? Follow this link for more information.
Photos from https://jolly.humancompany.com/
No. 9 – Masaya Hostel, Bogota
Remember how I said that meeting Jimena in Venice had a huge impact on my life? She’s the one that got me to Colombia.
Long story short, she was working on a project in Bogota and remembered that I had been searching for a job in a Spanish speaking country, so invited me to work there. Two days after finishing my studies in Poland I was on a plane to Colombia, not entirely sure what to expect. Arriving late in the evening I took a taxi into the centre of the city, conversing with the driver about his home. Come 10 PM (4 AM to my jet-lagged brain) I was outside the hostel where Jimena was, arms open welcoming me to her country. It was a beautiful reunion, having believed we would never see each other again.
Quickly checked in we went to a house party a few blocks away, but soon we were back at Masaya Hostel ready to get the full experience of this incredible place
So what made this hostel so special?
So let’s get past the fact that the project I was on organised this accommodation for 100 workers from 37 countries.
Let’s get past the fact that for the first ten days we were free to get to know one another (the best team building), explore the city and just let our hair down.
Let’s get past the fact that the hostel just looks so aesthetically pleasing. With three courtyards, rest areas, a restaurant and some of the warmest showers I’ve ever seen in a hostel, it had all the amenities you could ask for in a hostel.
The staff were incredibly friendly, chatty and open. Always willing to help, becoming friends more than workers.
The breakfasts were delicious, possibly in the top 5 hostel breakfasts I’ve ever had, with fresh fruits, eggs, tasty breads and all sorts of little extras.
Each evening had an activity organised, be that a live music sessions, arepa making in the kitchen or a night out at the local salsa bar.
It was a beautiful hostel, with some of my best memories and if you ever go to Bogota, I highly recommend staying here!
No. 8 – Hostel Mostel, Plovdiv
A list like this would not be complete if I didn’t include the country I live in, Bulgaria. Enter Hostel Mostel.
On a June afternoon I walked down a sideway to the door of this hostel, having booked a single night to explore the city before a work conference the following day. It had rained earlier and the ground was still slightly damp, but this did not prevent the cheeriness of the hostel manager shouting down the intercom ‘HOSTEL MOSTEL’.
The door buzzed before I pushed it open to be confronted with a narrow winding staircase upward. As I ascended I wondered what sort of hostel this would be: Small and cosy, open and friendly, huge and uninviting?
HOSTEL MOSTEL man was there to greet me and while we completed the check-in I saw the few other guests in the hostel mill around and cook. While there were three or four bedrooms, the common area was one central part with kitchen, dining room and living room all combined into one. Small and cosy? Check.
A few moments after putting my bag away and selecting my bed HOSTEL MOSTEL man shouted throughout the hostel that dinner was ready – a fresh shopska salad had been prepared (traditional Shopska salad includes tomato, cucumber, red onion and white cheese – it is normally delicious. This was no exception.) Around the table we spoke, drank a little rakia and made plans to wander around the city during the rest of the evening, possibly finding a perfect spot for sunset. Open and friendly? Check.
Our dinner was interrupted however by a girl walking in with a medium sized plastic box.
“I’ve got hedgehogs” she exclaimed, moving to the to the living room area which was showing the opening game of the World Cup. As we all know, salad is less interesting than baby hedgehogs, so we all began to sit around, look at the little babies and glance up at the game going on. Huge and uninviting? Definitely not.
So what made this hostel so special?
If I haven’t made it clear by now, this hostel was filled with warmth and friendliness, from the fantastic HOSTEL MOSTEL man and his delicious salad to the hedgehog girl (who lives in Plovdiv and just visits the hostel from time to time).
The beds were comfortable, the location was excellent and the breakfast was also perfect. This place had everything you expect from an authentic, from the heart hostel. No, it is not glamourous and if you come here expecting the Hilton you will be disappointed. If you are an adventurous person on the other hand, Hostel Mostel will not disappoint.
Unfortunately, in researching this post, it has come to my attention that Hostel Mostel Plovdiv is no longer in operation BUT there are Hostel Mostels in Sofia and Veliko Tarnovo, so you can still get that delectable atmosphere!
Want more information, just click here!
No. 7 Moustache Hostel, Manali
Moustache is a chain of hostels throughout India and it is easy to see why they have expanded so much. Though I’m writing about the Manali edition (it was my first experience staying at Moustache and the most eventful), each of their accommodations were high quality, with a very social crowd.
I arrived in Manali after a long overnight bus journey from Mcleod Ganj, also located in the mountains. The bus station was a muddy field outside of the city, perfect for the rickshaw drivers to take a little business. As we raced through the town, my first thoughts were ‘green’. Manali is a very green town, with forests as well as mountains greeting travellers. We passed over a bridge to reach the base of a hill and while many people were hiking up, exercising their poor calves, I was dropped here at the bottom at the gates of Moustache Manali.
The hostel was still in construction when I arrived, with many of the rooms uninhabitable and the common area not prepared, but this was no deterrent. In fact, it bonded everyone to the reception, located on the ground floor, outdoors, where there were a couple of benches, washing drying on stands and a quaint little garden.
The rooms, like many with Moustache were more than sufficient with comfortable beds, sockets galore and private bathrooms. I napped, resting my eyes just to catch up on the sleep I’d missed on the bus then made my plans: I was to go on a hike.
Using the trusty maps.me app I found that I would have to walk up that dreadful hill anyway, but this was exercise time, so I was prepared. At the top, I found a restaurant with views over the valley, some of the best food I had in India and a peacefulness I had found in few places recently.
Filled up, I started the hike proper. There was a waterfall I wanted to reach and time was getting on. The path was faintly existent and I saw few faces as I walked. I felt serene, but worried that if anything happened to me, I would be in trouble.
Fortunately, this worry was alleviated during a small break as a couple hiking joined me. Together we crossed the less than stable terrain, filled with mini waterfalls and mud tracks. All was well until we entered a very muddy patch. ‘My shoes are not made for this’ I thought, as I caught myself almost falling over.
‘Do you want some help?’ I remember hearing, but it was too late. My foot slipped under me and in that moment of peril I grabbed the thing closest to me…barbed wire.
Bum on the ground and hand on rusty barbed wire, I was not in a fit state. Immediately my hand retreated, only for me to see the spikes had pierced through my skin.
None of us had a first aid kit, but I had some antibacterial handwash, so that would have to do. I said goodbye to the couple and retraced my steps, being incredibly careful this time.
When I reached the restaurant I thought it would be wise to ask for some minor medical help there, unfortunately nobody was around, but I found some help at a nearby hostel. Bandaged up and ready to go back to the hostel, I de-escalated the hill, rocking up at the reception, where I was immediately the centre of attention.
The receptionist put me on his scooter and took me to the doctor where I was given an injection and told to rest, which meant no hiking for me for a few days. A shame, though not sure I wanted to after what had just happened.
So what made this hostel so special?
Did I mention that nobody else offered any help, except the one guy who bandaged me up a little? As soon as I got to Moustache, the staff took great care of me, waiting at the doctor, taking me from the first hospital to the second, no questions asked and even refused when I tried to tip him for the ride.
That commitment to guest welfare was amazing and I felt so taken care of that I stayed in their hostels almost entirely for the rest of my time in India.
Not only that, I met a really cool French girl who played cards with me deep into the evening. She knew my favourite game (I lovingly call it Hakuna Matata) and was incredibly skilled at it.
Near to the hostel there were several homely restaurants, providing very filling food for my weary body.
Want to stay at a Moustache Hostel? Find out more here
Photos from https://moustachehostel.com/destinations/manali-hostel/
No. 6 – Ostello Bello, Bagan and Inle Lake
‘Ostello Bello? That sounds Italian to me, but I’ve not heard of Bagan or Inle. Are they in Italy?’ No, they are not.
Ostello Bello is a chain of hostels in Myanmar and Italy. Not really a combination of countries you expect to find a hostel group between, but then, Myanmar was a country full of surprises. I’ve grouped these two hostels together because both provided the same type of experience.
Where do I even begin?
Both hostels offered evening activities for the guests, be it bingo, quiz night or other new and inventive games. With the prize being a free cocktail, few could resist the urge to cram on to a table with strangers and try to win those prizes.
These activities brought everyone together and while some were almost solitary, the quiz night forced people to talk and make friends, an excellent idea for all hostels to employ.
Of course, if I mention the free cocktails, I should also mention that both hostels had a well stocked bar with rather agreeable prices. Yet again, people were bonded together and friendships were forged very easily.
But you can’t drink on an empty stomach, that would be ridiculous: FREE SPAGHETTI (knees weak, arms are heavy!) Yes, everyone was given a portion of spaghetti, it is an Italian-hybrid hostel after all. If that didn’t fill you up, the on site kitchen provided some good grub too.
AND THE BREAKFAST – different every day, filling and healthy. Could you ask for any more?
Bagan offered a free bike tour of the temples and when there was a celebration going on in the town, rounded up the guests and took us to a nearby temple, where we lit candles with locals as we watched the sun go down on the horizon.
Not only that, excursions were readily planned, such as a boat party on the river. Inle Lake was similar, organsing a trip to the local winery, which was one of my many many highlights of Myanmar.
The hostels also helped arrange transport to other parts of the country. This meant that people would inevitably travel to new locations in the country with friends made in the hostel, further solidifying those relationships.
So what made this hostel so special?
Have I not got my excitement across already?
These hostels were near perfect. The fact that it was so incredibly easy to meet people was fantastic, but being able to go explore and get to see the country as well made this place unique.
If you are going to Myanmar, I strongly recommend staying with Ostello Bello. You can find more information here.
Note however, that I said ‘near perfect’. In the next blog post, you’ll see my top 5 favourite hostels and what a perfect hostel is, in my eyes at least.
Peace and love,
Tommy
Backpacking Around 