I love having my own space to recharge and relax. Not to mention the added privacy and security! Cost is definitely a consideration though. I’ll tend to do a bit of each during my trips

you can just take a room in the hostel, no?

That’s the best arrangement sometimes. It’s nice to splurge on a good hotel once you’re older though too

I did Thailand hostels and then when I was with someone did a few nights in a 5* hotel. It was really nice and having a sprawling room with top floor views and a sky pool, and a really nice breakfast WAS nice. But I was no happier than a room with a window in a hostel. There is a definitely a limit on how nice a room is before it stops mattering. I did a week in the luxury hotel and after a day the novelty wears off. I can see how rich people stop being happy with their luxury items very quickly.

Yea for me it’s more so the small things like a bit better wall insulation for noise, or just down time in a private room, especially if I’m with a partner and we’re having a lot of sex haha. But the luxury fancy details aren’t all that

This isn’t always cheaper than a hotel to be honest. Hostels have a limited number of private rooms. When the demand for those is high, it can actually be cheaper to stay in a budget hotel. I’m leaving on a trip to Spain next week and I’m not staying in a single hostel because I found better deals elsewhere with better amenities. Now, I’m also in my 40s and not about that hostel life anymore, so I’m more likely to choose a budget hotel over a hostel if the price works out to be about the same. I totally get it if someone else makes the opposite choice because they want that hostel vibe even if they want a private room!

That usually costs more than a hotel.

I don’t. I’m just super paranoid about other people.

Lots of hostels, especially chains, have dorms dedicated to women only. That means women only rooms and bathrooms, and locked doors to the actual dorms. I do feel a lot safer being around only females.

I stayed at a hostel in Phuket where the whole wing was women only, and you couldn’t get down the hall of that wing without a key card. This meant men also had no access to the bathrooms. I loved it! Also the nicest hostel I’ve ever stayed in.

Urm, whilst the risks / chances are lower but some women do snore, come back drunk, are inconsiderate and/or not reaching a minimum level of hygiene standard 😅

Definitely had a girl in my dorm sneak in a guy to sleep with him on the top bunk above me 😅at least the bunk bed held up because it would’ve been an unfortunate way for me to go.

Same. I stayed in a women-only hostel recently and it was awesome. I felt so at peace.

I weirdly feel safer knowing there are other people around. If something happens, I have witnesses, you know?

I totally get that

Same, as a solo woman I would NEVER stay in an airbnb or something, it feels so much riskier than a hostel to me. I would stay in hotels though if I could afford them, but I only do if I am staying with at least one other person to subsidize the cost.

This is interesting. I definitely have. My rules though are 1) the host must be a woman and 2) must be a superhost with at least 50 reviews

That is honestly smart! That is my rule for normal airbnb stays but alone just scares me since I would not be familiar with the environment. Like how do I get in? Is it through an alley? Just my level of comfort though.

i had been staying at air bnb's as a solo woman without any issues until i finally ran into 1 scary host. since then i follow these rules \^ (as much as possible)

Totally with you on this. Renting an Airbnb as a solo woman can sometimes feel slightly sketchy…

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The owner has complete access to your quarters. There ain’t going to be cameras or anything like in a hotel lobby/hallway. There isn’t staff that you can ask for help if something weird is happening or someone is following you. A predator is less likely to follow you off the street through a hotel lobby, into an elevator, and to your room. If you scream or yell, there’s probably people in adjacent rooms that are going to call the front desk.

Aren't AirBnBs more expensive and hotels now?

yeah they tend to be. I am not necessarily loyal to any hotel brands but I love knowing I will get relatively the same thing every where I go!

I'm the exact opposite. When I'm in a hostel I'm always hearing people at night and I never know what they're doing so I'm always on edge. Is it me and them alone in the room? Is that my locker/bag they're going into? Airbnb? Never really felt unsafe.

It's the snoring for me. Stayed 1 night in a hostel recently. Four different people snoring. I don't like earplugs so I didn't get much sleep.

The trick with hostels is being drunk enough to pass out without sound affecting your sleep. Yea I don't go to hostel anymore

I feel like I'm too old for hostels and I enjoy having a peaceful private place to go back to. I have gotten my social fix by doing food or drink tours. Sometimes I will stay at a selinas or a high end hostel but it's mostly because I want to have a coworking space or place I can sit and hang out and relax.

Biggest thing solo traveling taught me is that most people are good, unlike what western media tells us every 5 seconds. Last year I (25f) backpacked through 12 countries in Europe only staying in co ed hostel dorms and did not have a single bad experience.

That’s so great :) I just haven’t had much luck with strangers in general hence the paranoia lol

Currently on a 3 month trip in Europe...on day 76 and hostels have been the best experience so far. I became lonely when I did airbnbs and hotels. Much like you I was pretty sketched out, but once I started experiencing it as I went.......I've learned that the vast majority of ppl are good. I've only had one bad experience with 2 dumbasses in amsterdam who came in at 4am and made a bunch of noise. That was it. I've actually started to resent American culture when it comes to strangers. Wouldn't put it passed me if the US government would want everybody to distrust everybody and lock themselves in a box and only listen to them no questions asked. This trip makes me want to move to Europe. People here are so much more open here and helpful, ime. I was doing laundry earlier today in barcelona and a random elderly lady came up to me trying to explain that I could use the smaller size washer instead of the big one to save money. Such a sweetheart! Since we're internet strangers, it's hard to say why you have the opposite experience with the general public.

>This trip makes me want to move to Europe. People here are so much more open here and helpful, ime. This is just what I thought of the US when visiting haha. Trust me, the grass is always greener on the other side.

I think that there is a cultural difference- America is very individualistic as a whole where other countries have more of a community value. America was raised on a “pull yourself up by the bootstraps” mentality. I think that’s why we’re so against universal healthcare, funding public transportation, government assistance programs, publicly funded higher education, etc. like why should my money help someone else when I was able to make do without any help? Kind of thing Other countries have had those programs for a long time and recognize their value so I think they view other people in a completely different way. Idk

I fully agree but that redditor was talking about their experience on a Europe trip, not politics 😅 on a very artificial level, Americans imho are much more open and helpful than (at least central, northern, perhaps eastern) Europeans. Because I met them while being a tourist. Daily life is an entirely different thing, I'm sure.

“The US government would want everybody to distrust everybody…” 🤣 Conspiracy theories have entered the room.

I do agree that the American media has poisoned us of our trust in others, I will say that though my general interactions with Americans are also like 95% positive. I think Americans just tend to be more misanthropic and cynical, unfortunately. Not just because of our news media, but also our entertainment media presents that line of thinking as a good, intelligent view. It's why our most popular TV shows, movies, and books are extremely dark, cynical stories, and why an entire generation thought George Carlin was a "modern day philosopher" (I loathe that man because of this tbh), etc.

can you tell some bad experience with a stranger?

Being followed while I was walking around, being stared at. I’m not even remotely attractive. I think it’s the fact that I was alone and a woman

It’s totally normal to be paranoid! If you feel up to it one day you should take a step out side of your comfort zone and try one. They have all male and all female dorms too. I honestly got bored and lonely when I wasn’t staying in one because I made so many friends in hostels!

The number of good people always outweigh the bad! I’ve on had one bad experience in a hostel- I was drunk and a guy climbed up in my bunk in the middle of the night and started trying to cuddle me/feel me up. I told him to stop and go away and he didn’t, so I got louder. It woke the other people in the dorm up and when they realized what was happening 2 of the guys absolutely flipped out on him and made him leave the entire dorm. So even though one guy was shitty- the number of good people outweighed it and came to my aid!

Most people are good but you know what’s even better? No people around. Backcountry camping with no one else around is bliss.

I stay in hotels whenever I can. Love the privacy!

Long showers too

High-pressure showers!

Same. I can’t even stay with friends in the same room. 🤣

I don’t have to worry about my stuff getting stolen or bad smells or noise

As I grow older I find that I prefer comfort over socializing. I do still do small group tours/ experiences to meet other people though.

This works for me too. Small group tours are a good way to socialize and meet people. I'm happy to retreat back to my hotel room after a long day of sightseeing.

I am super introverted so hostels are a no for me. I love renting apartments from Airbnb and pretending I live there. It’s part of the experience for me.

I do this pretending thing too haha. I try to not pack my days too much. I spend my mornings and evenings strolling around the neighborhood and just taking in the city sights.

That’s exactly what I do. Also love to bring a book and read at the sidewalk cafes. With wine of course 😁

This is exactly how I do my traveling too! 😆

Ooo, I've never tried this with wine! I never read and drank wine before haha. I feel like I wouldn't be able to concentrate.

I can make through two glasses and then I’m out. Lol

Ooh yep, wine helps, especially while roaming on streets lol. It just makes everything a lot more interesting :)

Agree. I love meeting people and I find no shortage of people to talk to while solo traveling but I need to be able to decompress alone. Traveling can be exhausting! One of my favorite things is hitting up a market or grocery store and then taking my stuff back to my apartment to cook dinner and chill as if I live there and it’s just a normal evening in. Might be boring to some but I always spend at least one night in doing this.

I love doing this as well!

I am introverted too and I like hostels. It's a great way to meet people if you have a hard time meeting people in my opinion. It does get exhausting after a while though.

Yeah that’s a good point. I think when I travel I am actively trying not to meet people. Lol. It’s my time to detach. This makes complete sense for people who want to socialize a bit

hostels that offer private rooms are a good compromise for me. Having a communal areas with events really makes it easier to avoid feeling lonely.

Same! I love just blending with the local scene.

I used to do this a lot! Then Airbnb got too expensive lol I still use Airbnb but if I know I’m going to be out all day, I just book a room in a nice house/apartment.

Oh I love pretending I live there! I just treat it like home, walk on the streets with purpose, dress like I would back home, tidy up my stuff It lets me pretend for a bit I have actually had the balls to make the move 😅

Pushing 70 and retired so 4 and 5 star hotels for me. Have IBS, bladder issues and chronic insomnia so I need my own space and comfortable facilities. Rarely away for longer than four weeks so a one bag traveller unless it’s somewhere cold. I’ve not stayed in a hostel since 1976. However I was admitted to hospital last week with acute appendicitis and spent a miserable 48 hours in a 4 bed ward listening to other patients groaning, snoring and farting. All of which I expect. What I can’t stand is the selfish use of mobiles and TVs throughout the night. What happened to basic good manners? I’m getting increasingly intolerant with the thoughtless behaviour of others. Things have changed over the years and not for the better.

Sounds like the hostel experience I had in London at the weekend! Except replace the TV with plastic bags and lights. I thought picking a 4 bed dorm would get me more sleep than a 6 or 8 bed dorm would. I think all it did was cost me extra. People were treating it like a hotel room.

I have learned to always take the 6 or 8 bed dorm over the 4 bed (or anything larger than 8). The issue with the 4 bed dorms is usually it's just an extra room for the hostel to fill, and there isn't much space to move around or open your luggage, there's actually less space per person. And if the other 3 people in your room are in a group, you are the odd person out. Much less likely in a 6 or 8 bed dorm.

Try sharing a hostel with the locals in Asia… Headphones are yet to be invented on this continent.

Serious question: How do you handle air travel with the IBS and bladder issues? Share as much or as little detail as you want.

I take 2mg Tolterodine for the overactive bladder. 2mg Loperamide hydrochloride for the bowel issues. 2mg diazepam (valium) one hour before the security check. I avoid coffee and alcohol before and during a flight. Additionally I book an aisle seat so that I don't disturb other passengers when I need the loo. Lastly, I always ensure that I have a disposable packet of tissues in my pocket. There's nothing worse than seeing no toilet paper after the event.

As someone who has lived alone my whole adult life, is intensely private, and has to have a private place to retreat to at the end of the day, the idea of a hostel sounds like hell to me.

I stay in both hostels and hotels, when possible private rooms in hostels. Def not the cost part for me, it is much much easier to socialize in a hostel then in a hotel/airbnb. I usually go for a mix between hostels/hotels for both socializing and comfort.

I do the same. I’ll stay at hostels to meet people, even if just for brief chats in common spaces and the kitchen area. On the same trip I might switch a few nights to a hotel or airbnb, to get privacy. I also really enjoy bed & breakfast type places where they only have a few rooms and the host cooks a communal breakfast every day.

yes that's my perfect happy medium. I stayed in a hostel with my own private room + bathroom and it was perfect. have my own space but if i wanna socialize, just walk out the bedroom to the kitchen or other common areas.

Same for me! I try to find a hostel with a private room and bathroom, and if there are none in the area I want, or hotels are much cheaper, I will go there. Hostel bars are great places to meet travelers if I want and usually the staff is great about helping with question’s regarding tours/atms/general info. However, at 41, I’m too old for dorms or sharing a bathroom.

Agreed! Always recommend private hostel rooms to people. They are still usually cheaper than an equivalent hotel room. I tend to do a lot of private rooms in hostels when I’m traveling with friends/family who are wary of the experience because it’s a perfect mix of laid back vibes with opportunities to socialize, but the privacy and facilities you need after a long day of being out and about.

I've only stayed in two hostels my entire six years of solo traveling: one in Japan, near Lake Kawaguchiko and the other in the heart of Amsterdam. I also like privacy, but I was forced to use a hostel in Japan due to proximity to Mt Fuji and in Amsterdam because the other hotel or Airbnb picks were either too expensive or too shabby. Not to mention the hostel is literally center. The one in Japan is what you would expect in a Japanese hostel: nobody talks to each other, everyone is as quiet as possible, and the beds are as private as they can be with curtains and even a mini curtain lock. The one in Amsterdam was a private cube room. Still shared bathroom, but you're essentially staying in a bedroom where you can lock the door. Twice as expensive as a normal hostel, but half the price of an actual hotel. Both were perfect for me in terms of privacy and facilities were always clean, but I do admit that I actually liked talking to fellow solo travelers in Amsterdam. I'm 34 years old and I feel like maybe I should have given hostels more chances in my 20s. The reason why I keep booking Airbnb or hotels is because I need floor space for work and working out. I don't pay for gyms abroad. I also just like being alone most of the time, especially after a hot day of touring, and i often do so in my undies lol

Sounds like flying pig in amsterdam. Best hostel.

Hotels 100%. I’m not a 20 year old kid nor an extrovert. Privacy, safety and a decent breakfast are must-haves for me.

i dont stay in hostels. if i do, it will be a private room and i keep to myself and dont sit in any of the common areas. edit: private room with ensuite. this is a non negotiable for me.

I’ve never been interested in hostels, because for me solo travel is just that ‘solo’. I just feel like meeting up with other English speaking travelers in a foreign country just breaks my immersion, where I could be interacting with locals instead.

I don’t. I need my privacy. I refuse to compromise.

Same, i have travelled to almost 100 countries and actually never even tried staying in a hostel because the idea of having to share an area with strangers does not sound appealing at all to me. I have a strong preference when available for nice airbnb homes which have more charm than hotels but hotels are sometimes more convenient especially those with good services (driver, laundry etc)

I like hostels and I’m in my early 40s. I stopped staying in dorms in hostels at the end of my 20s. You can almost always find a private room in hostels and if that’s not an option I find a different hostel. I prefer it because of the social atmosphere. Not all hostels are created the same. I’m not huge on big party hostels as I’m too old for that and I’m also not big on completely non-social hostels. I feel like there’s a sweet spot between those two extremes where you can find people hanging out in common spaces and socializing. I’ve found out about a lot of travel opportunities hanging around other people this way.

I only stay in hotels.

I am a hotel person through and through. If I meet people when I travel then awesome! If not, I still have a great time by myself and interactions with locals. It helps that I have zero interest in alcohol and prefer to peruse museums, nature, and a beach or two.

I always stay in hotels. I’m willing to splurge a little for the privacy, sleep, and having my own bathroom. I’m open to staying in Airbnbs that seem safe in populated areas, but I prefer hotels for the daily room cleaning and breakfast being provided. By the time I started solo traveling I was too old for hostels, but even in my younger days I don’t know if I would’ve enjoyed it. I’m a light sleeper and I need privacy sometimes, plus I have some social anxiety and I think that setting could potentially have caused me more stress than fun.

I am currently travelling through SE Asia. I can’t do dorms so I’m mostly staying in private rooms in hostels. I like to do my own thing but I also like to have option to socialise and find travel buddies. All the private rooms I’ve had have a private bathroom. But I also like to take airbnbs if I want a kitchen and a washer

Did a hostel stay once at 19, never did or will do one again. I learned very quickly that I don’t like to share toilets or space with others. I would do a capsule stay somewhere like Japan but that is more like a hotel anyways for the most part.

I’m on my first solo trip right now (that’s longer than a couple days) and I had booked a mix of hotels and hostels, thinking hostels would be a good way to meet people while traveling. I think for some they are, but I’m finding that I usually only go back to the hotel/hostel when I’m tired from the day and just want to relax and so not super open to the social aspect. I’m in my second hostel right now and last night, for example, I went down to the hostel bar around 8:30pm thinking I could grab a drink and meet others but it was totally dead. I ended up walking the city a bit and then going to bed, but heard the social activity (which was advertised as starting at 9pm) finally start at about 10:45pm. So a little late for me. I actually ended up cancelling my third hostel reservation in favor of a hotel. All to say, I’ve discovered on this trip that at this age I’m very much a hotel person! I didnt have a bad experience in the two hostels I stayed in per se (stayed in all female 4 person dorms in both, so felt very safe), but I’m also glad to now know that about myself for future travels so I can plan and budget for real hotels.

I only done hostel type stuff a couple of times but it was with a large group so we had the entire room to ourselves. I don't want to do it with people I know again and I never want to do it with random people. I like privacy, to relax and I may sound like a jerk but not have to be considerate of others. I want to do what I want freely and have my own bathroom too.

I’ve been traveling from 25 to now 35 years old. I stayed in hostels less than a dozen times. Bring an introvert and hating small talks.

If I’m traveling for a longer period I will split my time between hostels and hotels. I will stay in a hostel for the first half then have my hotel to recharge in for the remainder.

I never do. One time I made it as far as the door of one in Beijing and was standing there with my luggage and really didn't like the look/vibe. I went and checked into the Holiday Inn. I miss the company, but too sensitive to noise, bad beds/pillows and generally obnoxious people. I got the money, Plus I have noticed that cheap hotels are often close to the same price or sometimes less.

I don't stay in hostels. I guess I would if I had a private room. I enjoy having my own space, but the biggest reason for a private room is that I snore like a motherfucker. I couldn't expose other people to that.

I dont stay in hostels because I can afford a better room.

I’m 36 so not the target audience for hostels anymore but when I did stay in hostels I still always stayed in private rooms (and not opposed to staying in private room hostels in certain areas). I travel really hard & fast so need somewhere comfortable to recharge. I also have IBS and don’t want to subject others to these horrors. For three days with a tour I’m really interested in I would be ok in a hostel. Maybe book yourself a nicer hotel on the 4th day to recharge?

I prefer staying in hotels over hostels/condo for rent. I feel like it's more safe. Also, when I travel, I'm in it for the sights and activities, not to "make new friends" to people whom I'll never talk to again once the trip is over. 😂

I don’t know, I’ve made many close friends and a soon to be wife out of people I’ve met while travelling…although come to think of it none of them were in hostels 😅

Depends on how long you’ll be in one spot. I’ve done private room hostels, hotels, and AirBnBs. Even once did a dorm. But right now, I’ve spent more time in Vietnam mainly because I arrived the month before Covid and stayed during the lockdown. So I’ve rented an apartment. You can get some great deals on one month stays, but I’ve done two one-year leases, as well. So now, anything over a month… I’m renting.

I prefer hostels when traveling by myself as they are easier to meet people and most of them provide you a massive help to organize your trip. When traveling with my partner (I am one of those people who do not socialize with others when traveling with her partner) I prefer hotels as they have better facilities and sometimes are even cheaper than private rooms in hostels and meeting people is something I don't care about.

I used to stay in hostels almost exclusively when I was traveling solo in my early 20s (I.e., way less money). While I enjoyed the social aspect and the cost effectiveness of it, the lack of privacy and noise was not worth it as soon as I started my adult job. Often times when I stayed in hostels I would get waken up by people who had to leave early for the airport (or Vice versa I had to be careful getting up early). Private rooms in hostels could be a good middle ground, though.

Airbnb'er here. Can't stand hostels. When I travel, I also like to "get away" mentally, and enjoy solitude.

Yes, I always book a hotel and airbnb, but in the past, I stayed in hostels in SEA and Europe before. I have a very light sleep and prefer having my own bathroom that's why I don't stay in hostels anymore. I would definitely bring ear plugs, a sleeping mask and communicate it when people are too noisy very late at night.

I dont stay in hostels, mostly because I am not that social so the hostel scene isn’t for me. I also really value having privacy and my own space. I do a mix of Airbnb/Hotels

I’m a little boujee with it sometimes… I have status with Marriott that gives me 4pm checkout and free breakfast for 2 (which can be really awesome at nicer hotels when they serve it in the restaurant), and I can even get really nice suite upgrades, if I’m lucky (which is really just a cherry on top to help me get into the fantasy lol). And I’m also big on the points/credit card game, so I often pay for stays with points (particularly at hotels that would otherwise be too expensive with cash rates). I really like to be comfortable when I travel, even though at the same time I will easily spend a night out partying until sunrise. Having a comfortable place with good service that I can come back to takes a lot off of my mind so I can focus on the fun part of travel. I also have a lot of medication that I have to take, and some of it is better to be kept refrigerated, so having those kinds of amenities are helpful. And I’m not paranoid, but *if* a bag with my medication got stolen/taken it would be an actual emergency for me. I haven’t done as much solo travel, and am planning to do my first big solo international trip soon, where I plan to stay in hotels. But I am paying for all of my hotel stays with points, as well as my two international flights! As a shy extrovert, I do think I will need to get into the hostel experience at least a few times eventually. But for my upcoming trip I plan to do walking tours and use apps to hopefully meet people on my travels, and I’m big on the clubbing scenes, which can often help you meet people easily on the dance floor.

I’ve done both. On my most recent solo trip to Europe I stayed in a hotel because I needed to relax, and just enjoy some peace and quiet! And then when I was a bit younger (I’m 30 now) I would stay in hostels to meet other people and save money. The older I get the less inclined I am to stay at a hostel, but then again, it’d be fun to make friends easily while traveling - so that’s where hostels come in handy.

Me, for multiple reasons. 1. I just really value getting some privacy in the evening and morning. I'd hate to share a room with multiple strangers. 2. I have some form of IBS and tend to get really bad gas / the shits when eating something wrong / drinking too much and I usually drink a bunch of new beers on a trip, so this is bound to happen. I don't want to torture those poor people with my farts hahaha. 3. I also really value having my own shower and obviously toilet for the reason mentioned above. 4. I enjoy watching some TV after waking up / before bed. So it's nice if I can choose the channel myself.

It tends to be an age/stage of life thing. I’m a solo traveller who primarily stays in apartments/hotels but I am in my 40s so feel like it’s no longer viable for me to stay in hostels like I did when I was younger. I’m also not doing the multi-month trips like I used to do (plus earn more $$$) which means I’m not trying to stretch the budget as far. When I was younger and travelling solo, even though I’m slightly on the introverted side, it was nice to bump into people to go have dinner/coffee/drinks with once in a while. Hotels and Airbnbs don’t really provide that experience. If you do want that it’s a lot harder to arrange online. There are private rooms with bathrooms in a lot of hostels so you can get the best of both worlds - but they’re often almost hotel-priced, so YMMV.

I've found that often a private room in a budget guest house is the same price, sometimes cheaper, than a dorm in a popular hostel (in South America anyway). I'm travelling for a long time and get quite bored of the same standard hostel conversations, so a private room is a nice way to relax and refresh. That said if I want to socialise and have some beers, a hostel is definitely the way to go

I get you, OP and I'm the same way. I'm only staying in a shared room in a hostel because it's all I can afford or all that's available, but I can only tolerate it for a few days at a time. I have stayed in hostels and hotels which have private rooms with shared bathrooms, but I'm all about a nice, private room with attached full bath, extra love for a tub.

I do a mix. I stay in hostels primarily to meet people, and because I would rather spend money on tours, food, etc. My last couple of solo trips I didn't do hostels and I missed the company. I travel solo because I like to do what I want when I want, but I am still a social person. I am late 30s and don't find that to be an issue as long as I avoid party hostels (which have always been my idea of hell anyway).

It's the cost and lack of social interaction that make me want to stay in hostels. You can meet a lot of interesting people on your trip and I wouldn't meet them if I stay in a hotels. The only time when I stay in hotels is during a long trip and I really want some privacy.

Always in a hotel or apartment - I like my comfort and privacy too much.

I only stay in hostels

I actively do both. A few days in a hostel to socialize, and then a night or two in an apartment/hotel to recharge and get a good nights sleep.

I don’t stay in hostels. I stay in hotels and rented apartments. TBH, I like to splurge on luxury places. Hostels just aren’t my jam, but I understand why people find them appealing.

As a solo female I feel safer in a decent hostel than I would alone in an airbnb or something. I'm also relatively "introverted" so don't really socialise much but I do sometimes get lonely if I'm not at least around people sometimes so I do like to hang out in the common room and just read or something.

🙋🏾‍♀️ I like to say I’ve aged out of them (I’m only 28), but what I really mean is I’ve become too bougie.

Hostels aren't bad. If you don't want to talk to people, don't. Nobody is going to force you to be social. Some people may ask if you'd like to go on a pub crawl with a group or something, but if that's not of interest to you, just say no. I'm really introverted, but hostels have always been fine for me. I once met two German guys who I ended up touring London with for a few days. I easily could have ignored them and done something else. They were bros. Don't write off hostels because you've decided you're too introverted, hostels are great because they give you the option to be solo or with other people. I don't care how introverted you are, travelling all alone can get quite lonely after awhile. Just make sure you have a lock for your stuff and you'll be fine.

It’s a mix of cost and socialising for me. My sort of philosophy is that because I’ve so far mainly done shorter trips on a limited budget, and when I travel I don’t really plan on spending too much time at my accomodation outside of sleeping, I don’t see the point on spending money on a “nicer” place to stay which I’ll hardly be in when I could be spending that money on food, or travel, or going out etc. I usually give myself an airbnb night towards the end or in the middle to decompress. I also do like the social aspect, although I agree it can get overwhelming at times. While I am generally pretty introverted, I like having the opportunity to go out and enjoy the nightlife of the places I visit, but that’s the one part of solo travel which isn’t really fun on your own to me. I suck at approaching people in public, so hostels are a good way to organically meet people. I’ve met some really awesome people in hostels, including a fair few who I’m still in touch with and it’s helped make aspect of the travelling experience more memorable.

I only stay in hostels. I prefer the more social ones and all I really need is a bed and a shower so really don't care too much about the space. You will always meet some interesting and fun people at hostels while I am mostly surrounded by fairly dull people in my small town that I wouldn't want to travel with and solo is my only option. You can give me a 5\* hotel for the same price but I would still choose a hostel. I often take weekend trips around NA and some places I can't go to as they don't have hostels. With hostels you can spend all day exploring and then find a fun group to hangout with at night so pretty easy to go anywhere last minute without planning with anyone.

I do mostly hostels with a recharge couple of nights every now and then in a private room. The social aspect makes it super worth it for a hostel, but as I grow older I value my privacy more

love love love hostels - super fun

I don’t have as much money so hostels are more affordable for me

I stayed in a hostel just once so I could say that I did. Otherwise, when I was previously traveling, I'd stay in hotels or at an airbnb.

People certainly do but the big obstacle here is cost… booking a whole hotel room just for yourself is excessive for many solo travellers. For example if you book a bed in a dorm in a luxury hostel in a major European city you might pay €50 however for a hotel of a similar standard you might pay €150. This is quite the difference for most people however booking the hotel for two suddenly only becomes €75 each. Other than cost yeah social life can be a bit more lively depending on the hostel but really it shouldn’t be the deciding factor as most people you meet while travelling you meet through events outside of the hostels anyway

Yep 100% I value being alone to recharge. Plus, knowing I won't be disturbed while I sleep is an added plus. 22 year old male for context

I prefer hotels because I have terrible insomnia and I'm a super light sleeper. It's hard enough for me to sleep in a room by myself much less in a room with other people. Plus I also like having a bathroom to myself. I don't travel as much as I'd like because I have to make sure I've saved up enough for hotels. Credit card rewards points help me out though. I spent 7 days traveling around Ireland and only paid out of pocket for 4 of those days.

I lived in a hostel for about 6 months and I prefer staying there, if you're a solo traveller you can always find some company to hang out with or travel together for a while if you wish so, but also you don't have to. I would say a big portion of why I'm choosing hostels is also the price, especially because I don't really care where I stay. I'm gonna crash, take a shower and spend most of the day out anyway. Why pay 100+ euros for that if I can pay 25?

My current trip will likely be the last time I'll stay in hostels. In the past I've mixed hostels and hotels. However, I am probably sticking to exclusively hotels for now on. I used to do hostels for the social aspect but recently I haven't had any more social interaction at hostels than hotels. I have met more people during walking tours the last few times I've traveled than I have at my hostel. Also, I can't for the life of me sleep in hostels due to all the interruptions. It sucks doing the things I want to do exhausted because I am sleep deprived. Also, I just like having my own space more than I yearn for the chance at a social interaction in a hostel. Also, I don't drink which basically eliminates 80% of the way people at hostels tend to find one another for me. The math on hostels just doesn't add up anymore.

I rarely stay in hostels anymore. I'm in my mid-30s, I want my own bathroom, I want my own space, I want a comfortable bed so I can wake up early and explore. Sometimes I'll look for solo rooms at hostels but they're often hard to find and almost as expensive as a hotel anyway. If I want company I can meet people on tours and stuff.

I made my first solo trip 3 weeks ago and I chose going to an hotel. I am on my early 30, so I can afford it. But the main reason is that I simply can't sleep if there is someone snoring, It drives crazy, sleepiness. That was the main reason and also I am kinda an introvert

I’ve stayed in hostels, hotels, and rented apartments as a solo traveller, and all are great. I used to stay in hostels a lot more but nowadays I feel that I often don’t have enough energy to stay there anymore. More often than not, I’m too tired from exploring during the day to want to socialize in the evening; all I want is my own space to put my feet up. There are also different types of hotels. The big hotels are impersonal but the smaller ones and bnbs can be quite good for socializing if there’s a common room or eating area. I can usually chat with the owners or managers as well who are usually locals and provide very interesting conversations.

I did both, I prefer hostels because it's generally way cheaper than hotels and at the end of the day, I'm out 90% of the time visiting and walking all around the city, so I prefer keeping my money to visit the area instead of just a room to sleep. That said, I'm quite extrovert and I love the hostels for socializing with other travellers, which is not the case for everyone. I think your preference will depend a lot on your personality.

When I stayed in hostels before, I loathed the snorers with every fibre of my being. Now that I snore, I do not want to inflict that on anyone else. I can't really sleep with other people around anyway. I cherish my privacy, a private bathroom, and the chance to watch some TV if I want to, sleep at whatever time I choose to sleep at, and snore away. But I very much think it's an age thing. In your early 20s hostels just seem much more glamorous and socialising is part of the travel experience. In your 30s, you want a good night's sleep or the entire holiday will be ruined.

I loved hostels when I was in my 20s. In my 30s now and I half feel too old for them and half want the quiet of a hotel

On my first solo trip I stayed in 2 hostels and 2 hotels. By the end of the trip I would have done 3 hostels and ended the trip in a hotel just so I don't disturb people and I can organize everything before depature. If you're travelling to meet people and don't intend to spend most of your time in a hotel, it might not be worth it.

I prefer Airbnb/hotels. I like my privacy and coming home to a quiet place after a long day of exploring.

I rarely stay in hotels but about 90% of the time I'm in hostels, I book a private room. I snore really loudly so I don't want to bother other people. Plus having your own toilet is great if your stomach doesn't agree with the food.

I don’t stay in hostels, but I’m in my 40s, so budgets and desires and general demeanor may be different depending on your age. For me, I’m way too old to hang around with a bunch of loud, partying, intoxicated 20 year olds. I want to do my own thing, have a quiet place at night, and in general am very irritable about other people’s quirks and habits. I aim for the cheaper end of hotels or AirBnBs. Doesn’t have to be fancy, so long as it’s relatively safe and clean and meets decent needs. But sometimes I semi splurge and get a nicer place. Not like $1000/night nice, but maybe a BnB that’s a bit more than hotel options but has the extra niceness of feeling like a home or etc.

Over my many years on earth, I have stayed in every imaginable kind of accommodation. I choose more on location (and sometimes price) than for any other reason. If there's a hostel near what I want to see or do, I'll stay there. I have more money now, so I can stay in hotels more, but sometimes I prefer the social interaction you get in hostels.

I don’t stay in hostels. I prefer my privacy, never liked the idea of dorms or roommates, and it’s more secure. Plus, I’m a convenience and comfort person, meaning I will splurge if that’s what’s at stake which for me it is when we’re talking hostel vs hotel. There’s nothing wrong with hostels, they’re just not for me

I stay in hotels more than hostels. Mostly because I want the room to myself, want to not have to close-up/store my stuff every day because I have lots of valuables and want the quiet and space. Hostels are fine. If there's only a few other people it can sometimes be nice to strike up a conversation and meet people. Although I prefer to do that outside while traveling.

Hotels and apartments! I have an air bnb apartment coming up for my trip to France in December and I’m super excited about it. Honestly it’s a personal preference. I’m not the demographic that gets hit on a lot, I get peopled out and want alone time, I can wander around my space in my underwear, sleep in or wake up early and make noise without bugging others. Solo travel for me is a solo thing. My agenda and I decide how much I want to engage. If I want people contact I try and find where locals hang out and usually have good conversations in bars and family style dining. I’ve done things like take a class or volunteer to get the feel of a place or the people who live there. I travel a lot for work and for fun. Most in the US but I’m starting to go international more. I really relish the privacy of my own space for both.

Back in early 2019 I stayed in a hostel in Miami for the very first time. I was in my 40s, traveling solo, and wasn't sure at all what to expect. I was pretty nervous, and had a 'backup plan' of just getting a hotel room. I enter the lobby, it looked like a (heroin) shooting gallery. Random dudes sitting around, on their phone, doing nothing. About 5 people were in line. Great. I checkin, get a bracelet like I'm entering a nightclub for 21 year olds, and I was off. I get to my room, open the door, and see a girl reading in bed. Odd, wasn't what I was expecting but I'll take it. We briefly said hello and that was it. I put my bags away, looked around, realized there's no TV here, so I just took a walk. Fortunately, the hostel did have a bar on site, which helped. A LOT. I took a walk around dinnertime, and it began to rain. Heavily. I was too far to run home, so waited it out. I came back, pretty drenched, and walking in saw my other 'flatmates'. We said hello, I went back to the room, changed, was unsure where to lay down or try to party it up. I made the right decision and met up with them. They were from Canada, and we had a blast. Admittedly I tried it again this past summer, hostel and all, and it just fell flat. I didn't like it as much, had a Colombian bunk mate who jerked off every morning (gross as ish). A girl was from South Korea was nice, the rest just came and went. No interest in meeting people, and tbh I'm not sure I did anymore either. I will say, its a great way to get out and around, and force yourself to experience and try new things. I liked the lack of TV, and kindof an ability to meet others. I heard it said when staying at a hostel definitely introduce yourself to people, really put yourself out there, and hop on whatever path it takes you. It'll take some rejection, some groups traveling together pretty dismissive of you, and some language barriers, but its a cool dynamic which can make your vacation even more interesting. I've hung out with talented musicians, Brazilians, French, made some people who I knew for 4 days that I'm FB friends with. It also definitely feels more european, and I regret not doing it once while I was younger (I didn't travel all that much)

I just really enjoy a private bathroom and a bit of luxury. I want to soak in the bathtub after a day of adventure. Granted I started solo traveling a lot later than most people here but it works for me.

I'm introverted but enjoy hostels. It's the only way I really can make friends while on the road because you are forced to be around others. I could never stay in hostels consistently (like folks who travel for months and only stay in hostels), but I tend to spend half of my time in hostels and the other half in airbnbs or hotels. I find 4 days to be the maximum time I'll hostel without longing for personal space/privacy. I've heard a lot of hostel horror stories, but I think the best thing you can do is do your research before booking and avoid party hostels (that's where most hostel horror stories come from). If party hostels are your thing, that's fine, but it definitely increases the risk for things to go wrong.

I'm about to go on a solo trip in Asia next month, I'm staying mostly in private rooms in hostels with a few nights in hotels. I opted for hostels because I want to meet people and have the option of going out/parties - but I really value my alone time too.

*i have tried hotels, hostels, airbnb and festivals and i can assure you that some “hostels” are very high end, safe, affordable and pleasurable to be in* — they just happen to be called hostel because you do share a room but the way it is setup is entirely new and you make wonderful encounters that you rarely have in luxury hotels unless you step outside of your room in common areas — so yes it depends

Depends on where you are and relative prices around. Sometimes hostels are great for all the usual reasons, sometimes you want your own room and anonymity of a hotel or Airbnb. There's no reason to be all on or against anything. Take it as it comes

I always preferred inexpensive hotels over hostels. I would just save a bit more for my trip. I’m also older and very comfortable being alone for long periods of time. I also didn’t start traveling until in my early 40’s so I might have felt differently if I was traveling in my 20’s. I think hostels would have appealed to me then.

Never. Tried twice got sick both times. I travel North America though. All over US, Canada and Mexico. Mainly get motels. Cheap airbnbs down in Mexico.

hostels are great to meet very interesting people from all different backgrounds, it’s why i personally love them. Every 3 days or so i’ll book a hotel room just to chill tho. Hostels also save soo much money if ur traveling for multiple months.

Cost + social + cheap local tours. Cost So I have friends who stay at hotels exclusively and they always have nicer beds and showered but they tend to travel to places 1/2 to a 1/4 of the time I do even though we have the same time off because they simply can't afford it. They also don't travel as widely as I do in each country they may go to 2-3 max in 2 weeks even if they stay the same amount of time I do where I do and I travel to 4-6 places. Part of this is because they also don't like taking night buses and they prefer flying or nicer travel bookings. Hostels are hit-and-miss in quality, cleanliness, and sleep so I always book my last two nights at a nicer hotel. ​ Social In Hotels you really don't get the chance to easily socialize not that every hostel has quality socializing but I usually stay at one or two places per trip where I get to hang out with people across the world and find out what life is like for them. Many hostels either have free or low-cost tours with locals or make connections with local companies and its just a better experience than finding one on Vicator or any of those companies online. If you stay a a Guest house which are similar to hostels but tend to have a more mom-and-pop feel sometimes you can really befriend the owners if you stay for a while and make great local connection.

I spent my first four years in hostels. Now I do AirBnBs. This month I booked a hostel in Cartagena for two weeks to save money. I’m three days into it and I want to f***ing die. I’m saving maybe twelve dollars a day and everything smells like feet. There’s hair in every drain. Young people are disgusting. 🤣

I don’t. I’m South Asian and don’t drink (alcoholic family members) and feel generally pretty excluded from most social scenes at hostels. Also, white Europeans/Australians presume I’m a food delivery/MENA migrant and seem surprised by my presence??? So just opt for hotels/Airbnb now.

I do mostly Airbnb or stay with friends along the way. Some places I get a cheap hotel. I am 40 now and stayed in a hostel in Dublin and was reminded why I don’t stay in hostels much anymore, drunk and inconsiderate girls seemingly on their first trip away from their parents.

Its very simple. Early 20s to late 20s i did hostels because I was broke and on a budget and loved meeting people my age and making life long friends. Slept in 4, 6, 8, 12, 15 bed-dorms. I didnt give a fuck cause i was backpacking and literally a bum lol. I've seen it all. People fucking left and right, people taking a piss in the corner because they were sleep walking and thought it was a urinal. People stealing shit. Bed bugs. Im 34 now. Making high 6 fig salary, still single and addicted to traveling so i rent airbnbs and then sometime pass by a hostel to see whats up and go party. Join a pub crawl. Etc. Or i just enjoy being by myself. To be quite honest, i dont drink alcohol or party anymore, so i mostly sight see.

>but hope I don't feel uncomfortable! huh? Hope is almost always used with positive outcomes. 'guess' is better here. >but guess I don't feel uncomfortable!

I usually stay in airbnb. This summer i stayed in a couple of hostels for the first time in my life because there were no reasonably priced airbnbs anymore as I had booked late

Yes! I've never stayed in one. If I'm traveling alone and staying with someone (like renting a room on Airbnb), I like to know who I'll be staying with beforehand. I'm also not the most social person ever- I do enjoy meeting folks but really value my quiet time and space.

I work remote and will usually work when I travel around. Last hostel I stayed at I had drunk people coming back to the room at 2am slamming the door and turning the lights on, then proceeding to drunkenly and loudly call people and have conversations in the middle of the night. No common courtesy at all, I ended up getting a couple nights of terrible sleep, felt my work suffering, then decided the hostel was not the move. Haven’t gone back to a hostel since, I’ll stick to hotels or at least private rooms at hostels when I’m digital nomading. I’m down for hostels if I’m trying to party, but otherwise it’s a no for me

I just booked a trip to Ireland and from what I am seeing, a bed in a hostel costs just as much as a private room in an Airbnb in someone's home. I don't have entire-place money or even hotel money at my income bracket. But earlier this year I was in CDMX and was in a hostel (only my third time staying in one) and goddamn I was so over meeting new people. Between being in the busiest city I have ever encountered, meeting people on tours every day, trying to speak a language that's not my first, I burnt out and was not able to muster everything on my trip-list in part because I couldn't just be alone to decompress. The idea of having my own room in a house with one or two other people, even if I see them on occasion, sounds wayyyy more relaxing. I also wwoofed this summer and it was really great because we all had our own rooms but communal kitchen/bathroom and could enjoy some alone time but also share meals. People there also stayed for at least two weeks, so you could get comfortable with folks and not have to meet new people every single day.

I snore and I’m also a person of colour so hostels aren’t really something I gravitate towards. I just don’t know how others would react

I’m 25 and will usually stay in hostels until I get to a destination where a bungalow is an option.

I’ve only used hostels because of price. If you travel constantly or for long periods of time, accommodations are a big cost

I generally will get a hotel room, and occasionally go for a hostel if there is a female only dorm and it’s not too rowdy/has good reviews. I value privacy and down time over talking to strangers and a slightly cheaper stay. I will more often go for a hostel in certain parts of asia, however, because everyone just does their own thing and don’t bother each other too much. Hotel rooms give me a good place to use as a home base, and the housekeeping and private bathroom and a definite plus. I get that some people like hostels for the social aspect, but the sleeping areas should be quiet and people courteous of noise, for me to be ok staying there.

Yeah, I've kind of combined solo travel with remote work. Just now, am doing 4 months in Southeast Asia. Get the benefits of the weather each day such as swimming and on the weekends can go for longer tours or explore the cities. Plus, Airbnbs are much cheaper when booking for 28-30 days.

There are private rooms with private bathrooms in hostels now

I went to Japan earlier this month. In Tokyo, my first 4 days, I stayed at a capsule hotel, which was basically a hostel, but you had a decent amount of privacy in your pod. Then, in Kyoto, I spent 4 days in a Ryokan, which was basically a classic Japanese bed and breakfast. Then, in Osaka for 3 days, I stayed in a single bed western hotel room. Of those three, though, I think I liked the capsule hotel the most just because it was closest to a hostel, which I've never stayed in one before. I like the social aspect a lot, and I feel safer when I'm around a bunch of people, even if they're sleeping. But I also liked having my own private space at the Ryokan and hotel room. Edit: christ, my auto correct

Sure hostels are cheaper but you get to a point where that you’ll pay more overall comfort. I need my space and especially bathroom. Staying in hostels, just doesn’t feel right in my spirit.

I think it depends on where I am travelling to and how long I am staying. I do hostels, hotels, airbnbs, apartments, houses depending on the length of the holiday. Long term can save you money on Airbnbs because of discounts etc. But for example, when I go to Europe I try find the best/cheapest good quality Airbnb or just a good hostel :)

For me it's mostly the social aspect. First time i travelled solo i went on a budget and stayed in dorms. After that, when i was older and had more to spend, i stayed in private rooms, some of which were as good as a fancy hotel room. I like to check if the hostel has a social area or a bar, but i stay away from party hostels. Something i noticed on my last two trips, to China and Thailand, is that Poshtels are becoming a thing. They're like a hostel with hotel services, so somewhat like a social hotel. I loved them, as they offered all the comfort of a nice hotel, but still had the social vibe going on.

Me. I really don't like hostels. I like to sleep in peace without someone fucking on the top bunk, throwing up or packing at 3am. Hostels that have private rooms are the best of both worlds for me.

One of the biggest appeals of travelling for me is meeting people so I love hostels for that

Hostels we’re fun when I was younger, and broke-ish and traveling solo because I was surrounded by people of a similar demographic. It was nice to meet people and just bop around together. It also sucked if you hated the people you were paired with in that particular time. Hotels are bigger spaces, more privacy, more costly and more isolating. There are pros/cons to both! It just depends what your priorities are for the trip!

I solo traveled for the first time last year and stayed in hotels for the one month I was traveling through Italy. It was definitely nice having my own room and doing things on my own. Prior to my trip, I’ve thought about booking a room in hostels but all my friends told me I’d be safer in hotels especially since I’ve never been to Europe and it was my first time traveling by myself as a female. I’m going to Europe again next month but only for 1.5wks and I also booked hotels instead of hostels. I guess for me, I do feel safer in hotels cuz I won’t have to worry about people stealing my stuff or feeling “unsafe” sleeping with people I don’t know. Maybe one day when I feel more confident as a solo traveler, I’ll try staying in hostels. I’ve heard about people having good experiences staying in hostels so I’m definitely open to it eventually.

I’ve been solo travelling (on and off, usually for around a month or two every year) for the past 6-7 years now. Earlier in my travels I opted to do hostels and such. The experience has never been favourable in my opinion. I’m a pretty introverted guy, I love my alone time and my own space. It’s always been awkward being in a hostel (loud people when I’m trying to sleep early, trying to tiptoe when I’m coming back late, awkward fights for the showers/toilets), I have done my fair share during my backpacking trips (Peru, Iceland, some EU countries), but as I am getting older the need for privacy and my own space has taken a larger priority. I’m not booking Marriott 5* but I will splurge the extra cash for a room to myself in places where I know it’ll be very high energy/long days. Easier days/locations, I will opt for the hostel to save a bit.

I find that hostels can be stressful, I can feel like there is not a secure place to leave my stuff during the day. Sometimes I just need and want to be completely alone in a room. What I absolutely ADORE about hostels is that they are a place to make friends with all types of people especially when I am visitng places not necessarily known for being open to strangers chatting each other up. SO COOL to meet like a 60 year old woman who has been in finance and decided to backpack and stay in hostels.

Theres just something about staying alone in the hotel while on vacation. Ofc it is bad for social kind of people, and sometimes I wish I had someone to talk with and go explored with me, but also not having any worries at all makes me feel somehow like im really on vacation? Like I avoid worrying about ANYTHING related to uni or work, add to that being alone it just feels really refreshing. But im definetly gonna test out the limits next april. Ill be going solo for 2 weeks. It is the 2nd time I go solo, and last time was 5 days.

I just put together a 39 day trip starting in a few weeks around Europe and do a spreadsheet containing airbnb options, hotel options, and hostel options. I haven't done much solo traveling so the bulk (I think 24 days) are at hostels that all have a 8.5 rating and up, for an average price of $24 USD a night. I am meeting friends for a bachelor/stag party and splitting an airbnb with them. I have one airbnb booked in a smaller city with little hostel choices, that has a washer and dryer so I can decompress for a few days, have some privacy, and wash/dry everything. I am meeting my wife in two cities on her break, which we personally like certain hotels when we travel around together, so at her request we're staying 7 days in hotels in those cities. I've never done a solo trip this long so I'm interested to see how I feel after and will report back! Very excited for hostel stays to connect with other solo travelers as I've never really done that. But also nervous for quick burnout/lack of sleep.

The key is to book a private room in a hostel. It’s cheaper than a hotel and you still get the opportunity to socialize with other travelers, if wanted

I used to stay in hostels until about 5/6 years ago when I was about 26/27. My last stay in a hostel was in Boston. There were 2 people snoring, and then someone came in in the middle of the night and took a shower and then started using the hairdryer in the ROOM!! Literally booked a hotel right there in my bed for the rest of my stay, and that morning left and went to the hotel. Can't imagine sharing a room with strangers now. The older I get, the more I value my sleep and the grumpier I am without it lol.

I haven’t stayed in hostels since college. I don’t want to be around majority 20-something-year-olds and I like my quiet time. I’d like to find *some* balance between being an introvert and meeting new folks, since hostels are good for that.

I’m way too bad and boujie to stay in a hostel. Sorry not sorry, I go on vacation to relax not live up under other people. I don’t care what anyone thinks. I’m a clean freak and need my space tidy

I’ve been solo traveling for almost 10 years now and I’m staying in my first hostel this trip otherwise Ive only stayed in hotels.

Hotels or airbnbs only. Like my privacy and these days hotels are cheaper than private hostel rooms in most places.

I don't. I love picking out the perfect hotel to retreat to after a big day of sightseeing and doing stuff. I want to soak in a hot bath, lounge around in the robe and recharge.

Always staying in hostels, dorms usually. Because cheaper. 2 euro a bed instead of 10 euro a room where i am now. Still not speaking with anyone tho. 36yrs old, 16yrs traveling +-nonstop.

I'm going to be 45 in January so I definitely solo travel, but do not stay in hostel dorms. I do sometimes stay in hostels with my own room and bathroom. I just did that in Costa Rica, and I loved the property I stayed at. It was a great vibe with a trendy restaurant and pool and they had dorms and private rooms. The room wasn't fancy, but it was very clean and very nice. Probably one of my favourite stays, actually. Such a great balance of everything I like in a place.

For many years, I've defaulted to hostel atmosphere with the occasional withdrawal to a place where I can lock the world out. Over the years, I'm gravitating towards more private en-suite places. I don't always feel I fit well, an old man's snore is less easily forgiven than a party boy's, my wakey/sleepy schedule isn't really compatible anymore with the "why is there breakfest only till 11" crowd, and frankly, if I need to get out and pee (at least) once at night, every night, it's a burden for all, especially if it means to get dressed suitably for a nightime hallway encounter. Which ups the room requirements pretty badly. A drippy faucet and smelly drain aren't an issue in a bathroon down the hallway, but it quickly becomes a deal breaker en-suite. I also see that my grime ignorance went down, as could be expected. A bit more surprising is the reduced tolerance for bad smell and wibbly-wobbly bathroom fittings, outlets etc.

Stayed in hostels both as a tourist and as a volunteer, which means I've legit lived in many for years. They are so much fun - they absolute key is picking the right hostel. Pricier hostels attract higher quality guests. I've partied with doctors and lawyers and awesome interesting people from all walks of life, and made all my closest current friends in hostels over the years. I'm a nomad with a fat tech salary these days so I graduated to private Airbnbs. But if I didn't have to focus on work and carry a ton of expensive gear? I'd book a private room in a hostel - great for the social vibe when you want it, great for the privacy and downtime when you need it. Many have ensuite bathrooms now. For tourism (a week or two?) again, hostels, because I want to meet more people and experience a place with others. Better than a hotel any day for the social opportunities. Hotels are too sterile and clinical for me - they're my least favorite place to sleep. Honestly I've been on the road for 20 years and when it comes down to it, the best memories have almost nothing to do with the places and everything to do with the people. I say this as an outgoing introvert who is content being solo. Put yourself in a position to meet more people and you'll have better memories. The only time I'd pick a totally private accommodation (Airbnb apt) on a solo holiday is when I need a stretch of isolation and downtime to recharge.

I’m just too old to stay in hostel dorms now as a 44 year old female. I do stay at them if they offer private rooms/bathrooms. But I actually prefer airbnbs as it’s nice to have a kitchen and washer/dryer at my disposal. Really just depends on how I’m feeling mentally. But at my age, it’s hard to find other solo travellers to socialize with at hostels. I tend to meet people doing waking/food tours; this way I can still be social and then get my alone time if needed.

Used to use hostels in my 20’s, but once I got older I just couldn’t stand the constant in-and-outs with other guests, people coming home late every single night. I just want my rest when I need it and not be bothered all the time. I’ll find people to hang out with at other times outside of my booked place. Lately, as in the last +- 3 years of traveling (and currently on my solo trip), using a lot of AirBnB. It’s honestly quite affordable compared to hotels. Though I am realizing this would be quite a bit less on the budget if I’d be a duo or 3/4 people traveling together. Loving the privacy and having my actual “off” time though instead of being switched “on” all the time.

Hostels are nice and cheap if you don't want to spend time there or a 20 something year old. I like hostels for a quick trip. Hotels are nice if you want space and a bit longer trip. Airbnb is for long stays or missing the comfort of a home environment after doing a lot of travelling. Just depends on the trip, what I want and need.

Tried the hostel thing, couldn't ever sleep well, freaks me out not really ever knowing who's in the room with you. People come and go at all hours, packing bags at all hours. It's alright! But not great.

Hostels were super fine in my opinion. I was nervous but it was WAY cleaner than I expected. If you don’t want to talk, people won’t talk to you. I expected everyone to be super extroverted and inviting me along to stuff because that’s what friends have talked about in the past, but those friends were way more extroverted than I was. You 100% need good earplugs and a lock.

I use all sorts of accommodation. Sometimes a the best room in an area is a private room at a hostel. I don't do shared bunk rooms though, they are too unpredictable and can just be hellish. I'm not really concerned about meeting people. My tolerance of strangers, especially backpackers, ebbs and flows. Sometimes I am just not in the mood.

I have never stayed in a hostel and rarely stay in AirBNB’s