Are you wondering what is a hostel? A hostel is an inexpensive lodging which is shared between the backpackers. When a backpacker books to lodge in a hostel, they are literally only paying for the bed for the night and not the room. The backpackers bed may be in a dorm with more than one backpacker, the backpackers can even reach up to twenty backpackers.
The toilets and bathrooms at a hostel are dorm-style; large, with several shower stands and also have a row of sinks. In most cases hostels have only one if not two bathrooms in each floor. Usually hostels tend to lend to more interaction, cost much less than a hotel, but do not provide the privacy or personal service found at a hotel.
According to Wikipedia “Hostels provide budget, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, and private rooms may also be available.
Hostels are often cheaper for both the operator and occupants; many hostels have long-term residents who they employ as desk agents or housekeeping staff in exchange for experience or discounted accommodation”
A hostel is not only a friendly place, but you can also enjoy the company other backpackers who you can chat with in the kitchen. Hostels are the only form of self-catering accommodation where you can book by the night for stays as short as one night. A hostel provides self-catering accommodation with shared living areas. The sleeping arrangements at hostels is usually in bunks and private dorms are also available or friends who will share a dorm.
Hostels have shared dorms and spaces and are hospitality businesses. So, you practically as a backpacker, you pay for the bed and share the dorm with other backpackers you don’t know.
At hostels, the prices to lodge there are affordable because of the co living and the nature of the hostel being self-catering.
The facilities which most hostels offer is the following: a fully equipped shared kitchen, laundry room, social area, etc. In addition, because it’s a more laid-back and cooperative environment, the hostel itself often hosts parties and organizes tours around the area with the backpackers. Most of the time, these tours are not just to well-known tourist attractions, but they also take you to more reserved places only known to the locals.