An experienced traveler told what to look for when choosing a hostel. What nuances can help determine comfortable living conditions?
Traveler Alexei Golubkov has visited about 30 hostels over the past seven years and in a blog for Tinkoff-Magazine listed several defining factors for a good and bad budget hotel. So, according to the traveler, this can be done from photographs on online services. As a rule, the owners post pictures of locations and rooms from the most advantageous angles.
“The photos that the hostel uploads are usually real: it’s a matter of reputation. But even they can deceive: from the right angle, the room will seem more spacious, and with processing – even more beautiful. Sometimes the photo simply does not have what the client needs.
You may be shown a stylishly decorated reception, but not the 27-bed room you want to check in. They can focus on individual details of the interior, but not on the general appearance of the room. Therefore, when choosing a hostel, look at the photo of the room you need, “says Alexey.
Also, the traveler advises to always pay attention to which room the price is indicated for.
“For example, on the website they write a price of 300 rubles (1,776 tenge). But then it turns out that this is how much space is on the third shelf in a 20-bed dormitory room. Usually a simple rule works: the fewer beds in a room, the more expensive they are.” – he noted.
Plus, the price for one night is far from everything a guest might have to pay for. Some additional services are paid separately: laundry, food, storage space, shower, bed linen, various household appliances and gadgets. It is also worth paying attention to the living conditions. According to Aleksey, hostel rules are often strict: you cannot drink alcohol, make noise and disturb your neighbors. However, administrators do not always evict these tenants. Therefore, it is better to clarify this point in advance, at least based on reviews.
Among other things, the traveler urged not to stay in the cheapest hostels, as the level of service there may be too low. For example, you may come across creaky three-story beds, narrow aisles and boorish staff. The location of the hotel is also worth considering.
“It is better to choose a hostel in the center or closer to the main attractions, so as not to spend a lot of time and money on the road. Hostels in the city center are not necessarily more expensive. On the contrary, there are usually more hostels, competition is high, so the owners are trying to attract customers with a price or pleasant options. like a free breakfast. It is important that there are supermarkets with ready-to-eat meals or inexpensive cafes next to the hostel, “notes Aleksey.
The mode of operation is also important. According to the traveler, not all hostels are open to guests around the clock.
“It’s worth seeing how the hostel works at night. On the one hand, if it closes, it can be inconvenient. On the other hand, a hostel that is open around the clock is not entirely safe, because the administrator is not always there and strangers can enter the hostel. The best option is when guests are given keys, but this rarely happens, “he writes.
Summing up, the traveler named the main characteristics of a good hostel.
“Spacious dorms, sleeping places – with curtains or partitions, there is a lamp, an outlet, a shelf and hangers near the bed. The kitchen should have everything for simple cooking: dishes, stove, pots, kettle, refrigerator, sponges and detergents. Location is important. zones: the bedroom and shower should not be too close to the reception and the common area. There should be several showers and toilets, “Alexey shared.