Hostel vs Hotel : The Big Debate
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What do you imagine to be the biggest contrast between a hostel vs hotel? The first thing we’d imagine that’d come to your mind would, of course, be the price gap in the two.
There are major differences between hostel vs hotel that you should consider when planning your trip...especially when considering the differences across each continent! The word “hostel” in the United States definitely does not correlate the same as it would in Asia. The word “hotel” in Asia does not necessarily have the same standards as it would in Europe! We are here to walk you through the many major and minor differences in each of the terms.
Price
Price difference between hostel vs hotel
Generally you’ll find the price to be the main difference between hostel and hotel with hostels being cheaper than hotels when traveling in the United States or when you’re traveling in Europe. But when traveling in Asia that just may not be the case, especially when you’re traveling with another person. Sometimes it’s cheaper to stay in a hotel and split a room as they’ll most likely have two double beds in it.
Privacy
When staying in a hotel you know 99% of the time you’ll have your privacy unless the room has to share a bathroom/shower. Back in the day Hostels would most likely only have dorm rooms, but since the 2000’s more than 70% of hostels offer at least one private room so even the most private of travelers can have a chance to mingle with backpackers while sleeping in the comfort of their own room.
Location
This is a crucial step for most people when determining where it is they’re going to sleep for the night. Location on quick trips can make or break a trip, and with that being said you can almost guarantee that 9/10 times if you’re to search a hostel site that the swarm of hostels you see in one area will most likely be the cheap central area of that city! If money is not an issue, do a little research for accommodation ahead of time that way you know your areas that are good. From there find something with a good price-to-star rating that way you can find something that’s perfectly suitable for you and your company. And if you want a great location, then a hotel is always the better option; the views from the Halekulani Honolulu, for example, can’t be beaten.
Design
In this day and age, it’s almost impossible to not tell which one is which. Most hostels try to capture the eyes of young travelers with its use of bright colors and flashy text. Whereas most hotels will most likely use pastels or dull colors that’ll soothe its guests with the warming text and decor it provides. You’ll also notice the quality of the furniture is a bit different, a hotel is genuinely gonna have a more expensive setup if you’re in the western world. In Asia, we wouldn’t be surprised if a hostel was nicer!
Security
Can usually be the easiest step in determining the difference between hostel and hotel as a deciding factor on where to stay. But each and every year that goes by, the standards of hostels is raised and the competition grows stronger. I remember my first trip backpacking and realizing things were being stolen. We vowed to never stay in a hostel again! It wasn’t until we went to stay at Ostello Bello Inle lake that really restored our hopes in hostels again. They offer secure lockers in each dorm room, and if you’ve anything of high value and want to make sure it’s safe, you can leave locked up with management. Most hotels in the states and Europe will most likely have video cameras in the lobby and elevator to secure your safety, while you may not be able to find that at all hotels in Asia. It really depends on the location, star rating, and price for the hotel.
Service and Amenities
Hotels are usually the one leading this game by a long shot. But for the money hostels aren’t missing anymore and if they are it’s not by much. For example, at the moment we’re staying at a hotel that cost $25 and comes with no breakfast or anything free, but we stayed at a coffee hostel in Ninh Binh, Vietnam two nights ago for $4 each and it came with a free omelette or banh mi for breakfast! A huge plus that all hotels usually come equipped with is a good television set up.
Facilities
This is also one generally leaning towards the hotel as they usually have a workout facility, dining area, bar, comfortable bed, private bathroom, kitchenette, flatscreen TV. But as we like to say, it really depends on the region of the world you’re in as each and every day the standards of hostels keep raising the bar!
Quality
As long as you’re not staying in a cheap hotel, you’ll most likely always have a win for comfort. But if you’re a budget traveler you really can find some out-of-this-world comfort for your money when it comes to hostels. Hostels over the next 5 years will continue to blow minds with what they offer for such a reasonable price!
Staff
You can have a wonderful experience at both a hostel or hotel in this circumstance, or let’s be even more honest...You can have a totally shitty experience as well. You’d imagine that staff has a difference between hostel and hotel in favor of the latter, but 9/10 you’ll find that the people working at a hostel are a lot more genuine and outgoing than you’d find at a hotel. This is simply because they’re given more freedom as they’re not following a corporate “structure”.
Atmosphere
One of the most looked at reasons for us when we are looking at the difference between Hostel vs Hotel is the guests. Do we just want to have our privacy and be locked in our room? Or be at a lounge in a hotel where we are surrounded by other English speakers who don’t want to converse with strangers? … or maybe you want to have a drink and spark up some conversation with other travelers who are out there for the same reason as you are!
Varieties of accommodation
Resort:
You’ll find these commercial establishments in most popular beach destinations or retreat areas of the world where they try to provide most of the travelers wants, such as food, drink, lodging, pool, sports, entertainment, and shopping, all on site or close by. The term resort may be used for a hotel property that provides an array of amenities, typically including entertainment and recreational activities. We stayed at a 5 star resort in bagan for our engagement last year, and couldn’t have asked for a better place!
Motel:
When visiting the western world you’ll also find accommodation such as motels and inns. Motels, are a much more recent—and pretty much exclusively American—lodging option. This word dates back to the 1920s and combines the words “hotel” and “motor.” As America’s major highway system developed, so did motels, filling the need for roadside stops for motorists traveling cross-country.
There are also some more nuanced differences that can help you figure out which type of place you’re in. Hotels tend to be built for longer stays, while motels are geared more for one- or two-night stops along a journey. Because of this, hotels are much more likely to have offerings like lounges, gyms, and entertainment.
While hotels usually have lobbies, you’re more likely to access your motel room door straight from the parking lot. Hotels are also more commonly right in the middle of the action at an already-popular tourist destination. Motels, meanwhile, might have nothing around them but a stretch of the open road. As for cost, motels tend to be on the cheaper side, but other things such as demand, occupancy, and location can have a bigger effect on cost than motel vs hotel decision.
Inn:
What dates back to Roman times is the term Inn. It was meant to serve as a term for travelers back before automobiles, so they knew that the place offered food, drinks, and a place to sleep. In the modern-day and age, it’d be considered awfully close to a BnB as they have the same amenities and structure, plus you get to interact with the innkeeper on a more personal level than any other kind of accommodation.
Inn or hotel: tips for finding affordable accommodation.
Whether it's a guesthouse or a hotel, the price of a night's stay is important to some people. The best way to access a multitude of hostels offering various accommodations in your destination is through search engines like cozycozy. Once you are on the comparator, you just have to select among the available destinations. To facilitate your search, it is recommended to filter it as much as possible.
In this case you can indicate your preferences such as a classic hotel room, a youth hostel, a luxury residence or a guesthouse. Don't forget to mention the date of your stay to see the available accommodations.
The next step will be to start your search and choose among the hosts on the result list. To do this, refer to its star rating, its price, its geographical location, etc. However, it is also possible to insert a price index on the search engine. In this way, the comparator will limit the results according to your request.
Besides lodging, you can also add activities to your search to find the best deals on places during your stay. Hotels and other types of accommodations offer activities or the best restaurants near their geographical location. So, this additional information will be very useful when the time comes to plan your stay in complete serenity.
Overview:
So, in the end, it comes down to what you want from your trip and from your lodging. Want the place you stay at to be just as much a part of your travel experience as anything else? Opt for a hotel. Just need a place to pop in and out of to shower and sleep? A motel might be the better choice. Looking to make new friends and get to know other cultures and languages while traveling, choose a hostel! The options are endless and an option for every type of traveler is available!
Questions and Answers when it comes to Hostel vs Hotel
If the prices are the same for both, which one do you think we should choose?
Easy, take into account what it is you’re looking to get out of your upcoming trip! If your goal is to get out there and meet people...choose a hostel. If you’re on a limited amount of time and need to be centrally located, it could be either of them. If your goal is to just relax and have your own peace of mind, we’d say to choose a hotel!
Do hostels accept all forms of payment?
This is a great question actually! While the answer is most likely yes, you must also take into consideration that some remote hostels in the middle of nowhere and some that’re budget hostels may not accept credit cards. However, if you find anything on HostelWorld.com it’ll take credit card as you have to pay before you arrive…if you find it on booking.com it may be a different story.
Can we negotiate prices for a hostel?
Yes! Especially when visiting hostels in Asia and South America! They’re willing to negotiate a price if you’re willing to stay long-term, they’re willing to accommodate you as well. Don’t try to bargain if your plan is to stay for only one night, it’s seen as rude and an unfair way of doing business.
How do we know what hotels are good before visiting?
Easy, all you have to do on a site like booking.com or expedia.com is to click the tab beside pricing that says sort by rating/price find one with good reviews that’s best suitable for your price. Always ALways ALWAYS read reviews before you book at a place that’s not refundable!
