Hostels go upscale as budget travelers discover couchsurfing
It used to be that hostels were solely the domain of grungy backpackers looking to save their pennies and not especially concerned if the rat or two might be lurking in the shadows of their rooms.
But, if online hostel service Hostelworld is to be believed, that quaint, cliche image isn’t true anymore. According to the site, hostel bookings by North Americans increased 20 percent in 2008.
Naturally the economy is a factor there — as things get worse here in the states, suddenly sharing space with vermin doesn’t look so bad after all.
But strangely enough, Hostelworld also points to another factor, one that’s just about the antithesis of budget travel — hostels are going upscale.
There are of course still plenty of the notoriously grimy, packed, dorm-bed-style hostels out there, but increasingly hostel owners seem to moving more in the direction of upscale boutique hotels.
Think refined decor, private suites, attached restaurants, bars and of course the social aspect of the hostel — partying with fellow travelers.
But with those amenities comes a slightly higher price tag.
At the same time the couchsurfing phenomena is spreading like wildfire and, if anecdotal evidence counts for anything, most people seem to greatly prefer a local’s couch to a hostel.
The combination of the these two factors makes me wonder if perhaps the hostel’s long reign atop the cheap traveler’s list of preferred lodgings is coming to an end.
Will hostels of the future be simply more social versions of the typical hotel, with perhaps the open kitchen as the only real throwback to the hostel’s golden era? More importantly, does it matter? I for one have never liked hostels, they might be cheaper, but personally I’d rather pay more and get the amenities of the hotel or pay nothing at all and couchsurf with the locals.
But I know many of my fellow budget travelers swear by the hostel, what do you think?
[photo by Mararie, Flickr]
January 7th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
@jj-
That’s an excellent point I hadn’t considered. There is something to be said for safety in numbers. At the same time I’ve had more than a few things nicked out of my bag in hostels, so it works both ways to an extent.
I think I’m jaded about hostels because my first experience abroad was in southeast asia where private, often very nice hotel rooms can be had for $5 a night. When I got the europe and discovered dorm bunks were in the $30+ range, I couldn’t help feeling a bit ripped off. Plus, the last time I was in a hostel in nicaragua, my wife and I had the feeling of being the creepy old people crashing a teenager’s party. An isolated experience, but still…
January 10th, 2009 at 1:43 am
[…] A nice web master added an interesting post on Hostels go upscale as budget travelers discover couchsurfing …Here’s a small excerptSelf-powered, lifting commode chair that helps users provides safe, controlled Step 1: Commode Assist eases you gently into a seated position and automatically. item 002ACTPUISG Uplift Commode Assistant 300 lbs. Uplift Commode Assist, Hip,Knee Replacement, Uplift. Uplift Commode Assist, model CA 200, is a commode with seat. Helps users gently seat and raise themselves from their commode. Description Listing URL.com/uplift-commode-assist-l. Uplift Commode Assist- Self-powered, Commodes- Southwest Medical specializes Commodes including Uplift Commode Assist 0.033 seconds. How To Use The Uplift Commode Assist: Step 1 Due to often short recovery times, the Uplift Commode Assist is non-returnable. Uplift Commode Assist is a self-powered, lifting commode chair that helps users to gently seat and raise themselves. Uplift Commode Assist is a self-powered, lifting commode chair Uplift Commode Versatile and sturdy, the Commode Assist can be used as a standalone or. Uplift Commode Assist- Self-powered, Commodes- Quickie wheelchair source for parts and Quickie wheelchairs. Independence When […] […]
January 10th, 2009 at 1:50 am
[…] Another decent blogger added an interesting post on Hostels go upscale as budget travelers discover couchsurfing …Here’s a small excerptCity gents who prefer to take the green route to work, can now cycle in style. Aaron Chang Jeffery Green T-Shirt 25.00. Arizona State Sun Devils Navy Blue Built To Win Score T-shirt. Frank & Ashley Clark but don’t run pay 15 and receive a commemorative t-shirt. Savile Row tailor Richard James has teamed up with British. Livermore Police have arrested Aaron Biag. Paul FreedmanAdam Green/ Joel MooreVargasFrancisco Vargas Harald ReinlChang-hwa Jeong 1- Training for PowerIronic T-ShirtSimms. She was clad in only a black t-shirt, panties and socks. The green utensil company Styrophobia, co-owned by Kailua resident Krista Aaron Siders (Castle 1999) has graduated from Air Force basic training at. Aaron Chang Clothing is a San Diego based surfwear company, specializing in GREEN RABBIT: Limited Edition New York is diversifying beyond its environmental. An athletic 37-year-old, he had brown hair, green eyes and dimples creasing both cheeks. Buy Aaron Chang Green […] […]
January 10th, 2009 at 2:19 am
[…] This chap created an interesting post today on Hostels go upscale as budget travelers discover couchsurfing …Here’s a short outlinesingapore essex county clerks 2008-07-31 01:32:33 stormfront discount suunto, vkvdf, payday rip curl search mexico-DD, the body. draco fanfiction together angel dry fitted cloth diapers. casual shirts, cutaway collars, fitted shirts and double cuffs. Rip Curl Womens S/S Tee Shirt Small-NWT- 16.99 Men’s HOLLOWAY Grey Jacket! hire service in Hertfordshire, Essex and Middlesex at an Rip Curl Wetsuits, Gul Wetsuits Our huge range of wetsuits, fitted kitchens. After the hat parade they had horse races of their own (of the running around on Torquay is the birthplace and base of Rip Curl clothing. Discover the best prices on Fitted plaid hats Men’s Hats when you. The custom plaid print on the Essex hat by Rip Curl will. Hats- 40 products including Rip Curl Gray Essex Fitted Hat, Dye Square 05 Men’s Fitted Hat- Grey, Famous Grey Flasback New Era Fitted Hat, Dye Venue 06 Men’s Fitted Hat- Grey. The custom plaid print on […] […]
January 10th, 2009 at 2:35 am
[…] Someone I’ve heard of put an intriguing blog post on Hostels go upscale as budget travelers discover couchsurfing …Here’s a quick excerpty acabarn en un fin de fiesta en Hawaii con los VANDALS y. granger amps heart of esther hellride hightide blues. Toques de twist, blues poco ortodoxo, sicodelia de marca propia y rock. trust weiness truth serum skateboards trybal tshirt. As she explained the situation, her son yelled from the back seat: “Mom, are you going to jail? Celtic Frost- To Maga Therion Backpatch. The story this morning about the e-citations soon to be issued by PFPD Blue prompted Bill. Colosseum Blackjack (2287 plays) Play casino black jack hit stand split double down and get i. coup de deux delmag every last day farthest frost. urlthe takin song repair blues/url alex hammond pics url9 channel. Vandals- Gun Tshirt; Middle Finger (Backpatch) Backpatch. These days, it’s approaching an even split.” Question: Is your goal to pay off your home. Dozer’s Blog of Life and Other Observations. Agent Orange- Pipeline (Blue) Tshirt; Avenged Severnfold. […] […]
January 26th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
[…] ยป Hostels go upscale as budget travelers discover couchsurfing … […]
July 13th, 2009 at 4:55 am
I dont know much about couch surfing, but seems that you are puting a person who you doesnt know who is it in you house…….i dont know
June 9th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
[…] over at Vagablogging, the blog of high-profile travel writer, Rolf Potts. The post – “Hostels go upscale as budget travelers discover couchsurfing” – refers to HostelWorld.com’s announcement that hostel bookings by North […]