The hostel is not similar to the hotel. There is a vast discrepancy in how you stay and the environment. Hostels are dormitory lifestyle and student living oriented.

Hostels are a great alternative to a hotel in terms of cost if travelers are looking for a good deal. Fortunately, hostels are also comprehensive security add-ons features such as lockers where travelers can store personal belongings. However, they also have multiple travelers living in the same room, add extra protection, and feel safer, and it is not guaranteed to stay at a hostel for some people. Opt for single-gender rooms rather than mixed rooms for additional security unless you are traveling romantically. This article will inform travelers how to stay safe at hostels when planning a night there.

For instance, my previous hostel experience was Canal Loft Hostel in NYC Chinatown, which I tried and took risks of staying for one night. So I would like to magnify you to have a pleasant hostel experience for some travelers. Or some travelers decided not to stay at hostels.

How to Stay at Hostels (My experience)?

Step by Step:

Booking

1st, research hostel arrangements

• Compare the quality of the room, not the price.
• It is best to look at the ratings, including the traveler’s overall hostel stay experience.
• Look for extras included such as free breakfast, laundry, add-ons, kitchen, dining, etc.

2nd, budget your money

• Figure out how many days you are staying.
• Estimate how much per night.
• Calculate the budget you will spend in total.
• Stick your budget.

3rd, schedule the best time to book a stay

• Know the location before you book. It is better to familiarize the place, so you know how to get back to the hostel.
• For safety, book with a single-gender room and 2-6 other roommates. The fewer roommates, the better, and better off time management and organization (you don’t have to confuse someone’s soaps or worse).

4th, ask if you have questions or concerns

• Email or inquire questions about what’s included and what is not included during the stay at a hostel.
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the policies, safety, overall hostel, etc.

5th, list of things you should bring

• Keep in mind that items are not available once you get in the assigned room. There are no free soaps, lotions, shampoo, toothbrush, etc. You must bring your soaps, lotions, toothpaste/toothbrush, etc., on your own.
• Make a list of items you need for your stay.
• Bring your own towel. Not only the towel rental is expensive, but you may also think, “You are using your bath towel from someone, even washed.”

6th, research activities (hostel) that suit you and your travel schedule

• You don’t have to get lonely to stay at hostels. You can freely join with other travelers who stayed at the same hostels.
• Within doubt, ask about upcoming hostel events.
• Visiting the common area/dining/kitchen is highly recommended to familiarize the hostel location.

Check-in

1st, check-in

• You are required to present either a government-issued photo ID or a passport upon check-in.
• A credit card is required when checking a room for the payment in total.
• You are required to sign in both “Check-in log” and contrast that says “House rules or room rules.”
• The receptionist will give you a key or a key card to go to an assigned room.

2nd, familiarize the room

• Check the sinks, showers, bed, lockers before putting your bags in the locker or safe.
• If you are unhappy with your room assignment, don’t worry. You can let the receptionist know and help you to rearrange to a different room.
• If you are happy, you can settle down with your personal belongings.
• Use your lockers to stow your belongings.

3rd, learn how to respect their roommates and boundaries

• Your roommates will sleep in the same room, so do not distract them.
• Within doubt, do not answer phone calls inside the room where roommates are sleeping. Answer the phone in the living room or a common area.
• Don’t be shy. Learn how to negotiate roommates’ boundaries, such as bathroom sharing for brushing their teeth, showering, changing clothes, etc.

Tips:

• Some hostels do have a curfew, so it is essential to know the time of the day you will expect to return to the hostel room. Some hostels have locked you out in the middle of the day, so you must be out of the hostel during that time. Know your time limit and policies. Within doubt, ask.
• Same as hotels, hostels have a comprehensive check-out and check-in times. For instance, at Canal Loft hostel, the check-out time is 11 am, and check-in time is 3 pm.

Warnings:

• Never assume that the hostel is like a hotel room. Privacy is much different than a hotel, so there is more noise. Always respect/negotiate fellow roommates, sleeping in the same room.

-Update on January 1, 2019