There are thousands of youth hostels for you to choose from when you’re traveling, but they all boil down to two main types – the ‘corporate’ hostel chain, a well-known brand with different branches in different cities (the St Christopher’s, YHA and Wombats of the world), and the independent hostel, normally family-run or set up by a bunch of ex-travelers and with a smaller, more intimate vibe.

But which one to choose? Do you go for the big or the little guys? Many backpackers recoil in horror at the idea of a hostel ‘chain’ – surely that’s against the very spirit of their travel ethos?! Others, meanwhile, like the security and reassurance of a familiar name on a non-stop tour.

With the corporate hostel, you know what you’re getting. It’s like going to Starbucks – you know what that latte tastes like and that’s reassuring. But sometimes an independent hostel can offer the thrill of discovering a new spot, and going off the beaten track is the raison d’etre for some travelers…

Whether you’re for or against a particular style, though, it all comes down to one thing – finding (and staying) somewhere that’s right for you.

Corporate Hostels

The Pros

• There are no surprises – the hostel chains are well-established businesses that have been running for years, so they know what they’re doing. The best hostel chains maintain a good reputation because they all conform to a certain standard of quality and facilities.
• Corporate hostels are often more ‘international’ than smaller hostels, with multilingual professional staff and a 24-hour reception, which is great if you don’t speak the language and bowl up in the middle of the night off a late train. It’s also more likely that you’ll be able to pay on card or with a more convenient currency.
• As the chains are larger and have been running for years, they know what travelers need and what works, so there’s often a wide range of extras and better facilities, from hairdryers and free towels to well-stocked kitchens and guided tours.
• Safety is one of the most important things when all you’ve got is a backpack on your shoulders, and the hostel chains usually make good provisions for security, with lockers in every dorm, safety deposit boxes behind the desk and good padlocks and keys for the rooms.
• Hostel chains are usually larger, busier and geared to young people out for a good time. So you can expect mass-organized events, and a large social space, bar or café, which are great for meeting other backpackers.

The Cons

• Sometimes not every ‘branch’ of hostel is the same in a chain, so you may turn up expecting excellent facilities and huge dorms – and end up with a poky little bed and one hob between sixty people. Basically, just don’t make assumptions that all hostels are equal.
• Big, busy hostels are not for everyone – some backpackers find them too faceless and intimidating, where you feel like one of thousands to the staff. It can also be noisy and hectic if you aren’t up for staying out ‘till 1am every night.
• You might get a better choice of room type at a chain, but very large dorms can lack atmosphere.
• Because hostel chains are well-known, they often have a high turnover at peak times, with guests constantly coming and going like a revolving door.
• Hostel chains can also hike up the rates if they are an established name, especially in high season, so may be more expensive than independent hostels
• If you want to stay somewhere slightly edgy or unique, or away from the city centers of the biggest destinations, standard issue dorms may not fit the bill.

Independent Hostels

The Pros

• Independent hostels are generally smaller, more intimate and have bags of character. Whether they are decorated in quirky style or housed in weird buildings, they make a fun place to stay!
• Smaller hostels, especially if they are family-run, have a more homely atmosphere, which is great for making friends, and when you’re in need of some home comforts on the road.
• Social activities can be on a smaller scale, but are typically more original than the mass pub crawls with corporate hostels specialize in – much easier to make a few firm friends, than a hundred drunken mates you’ll never remember.
• Independent hostels are normally run by a small group of people who experience backpacking and are passionate about travel, so they really care about making your stay memorable. You can get to know the hostel staff well as they tend to get involved, look after you and offer invaluable travel advice.
• Generally speaking, independent hostels are cheaper and it can be easier to get the kind of room you want.
• If the hostel is away from the main tourist district, then you’ll also have the opportunity to get to know a unique part of a destination you wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Pair this with insider knowledge and tips from the friendly staff and you’ll get to sample the ‘real’ flavor of a place…

The Cons

• When it comes to quality, it’s more of a gamble with an independent hostel. You might not know what you’re getting – especially if you’re somewhere where ‘hot water’ doesn’t come as standard!
• If a hostel is small and family run, it might have less money to spend on maintenance, so may not be up-to-date when it comes to technology and facilities.
• The staff may be a little less professional or knowledgeable, making checking in problematic if you don’t have the right money, or know the same language.
• Independent hostels may not have the same standards or guidelines for security, so there may not be anywhere to store your belongings safely.
• They’re also more likely to retain the traditional lock-out and curfew roles and be less youth-oriented.
• The ‘family’ atmosphere can feel a bit claustrophobic if you’re just after a quick nap.
• If the hostel is in the middle of nowhere and there are no activities going on, you can feel a bit isolated.

The main thing to remember, though, is that every hostel is different… The best thing to do is check out ratings and reviews from other travelers before you go to get a real flavor of the place!

Lauren Smith

When she’s not road-tripping around the USA, Lauren Smith contributes to new blog Hostelbloggers.com, the insiders’ guide to hostels and budget travel. Here she gives us the lowdown on corporate and independent hostels – what are the pros and cons of each

View Image Gallery | Subscribe to RSS Feed |Nomads in Your Email

© nomadbackpackers.com -  All rights reserved 2009

Tags | Hostel Tips