Traveling the world is an exciting adventure, but it can be a costly enterprise. To get the most out of your budget, you should opt to stay at hostels whenever possible. No matter where you travel, there will be numerous options, but some stand above the rest.
From Soul Kitchen in Russia’s St Petersburg to Lub d in Thailand’s Phuket and passing through India’s Draper Startup House in Bangalore and the Haka Lodge in Auckland, there are top-rated hostels all around the world. Other additions to this select list can be discovered during world trips.
If you’re interested in seeing as much of the world as possible on your travels, here’s a list of the best hostels that can assist you in having a great experience no matter where you go.
Table of Contents
What Makes a Hostel Great?
There are so many hostel options worldwide that it can be hard to choose the best option. These are some of the most critical criteria cited by fellow travelers when asked to consider what makes a hostel great for them.
If you are confuse between choosing hotel or hostel, we have information on Hostel vs Hotel Pros and Cons to help you make better choice accordingly.
Location
This is usually the most important criterion when deciding the right hostel to book when traveling. Being in proximity to as many of the attractions on your list will mean that you won’t have to spend as much on transport and that you’ll get to enjoy the convenience of the location.
Travelers usually prefer booking central locations to make sure they can get to everything they need to without wasting time getting there. If you do this, you’ll also be able to get more of a feel for the city you’re visiting than if you’d opt for a hostel that’s further toward the periphery.
Activities
One of the best parts of the hostel experience is the way it incorporates group activities. Even if you’re traveling by yourself, hostels will facilitate getting to meet and hang out with new people while discovering the location you’re visiting too. From Scottish pub crawls to Spanish flamenco lessons, you’ll get to have a fantastic time.
The group activities that hostels are so well-known for also make for a more personal experience of lodgings than most hotels offer.
Social Spaces
Now that you’ve had a group activity with new people, it’s great to have communal areas in the hostel to keep chatting and getting to know them. The greatest hostels offer plenty of those, from bars to outdoor terraces and gardens to poolside interactive areas.
You’ll also usually be able to hang out in the reception lobby, where you’ll get to socialize with people as they arrive. You can also play board games, share a drink, and even exchange books with others.
Comfort
For most hostel guests, saving money is important, but when an affordable hostel also offers comfort, that’s what makes it stand out from its competitors. Comfortable beds, warm lighting, and ensuring that there are enough bathrooms available for the number of guests are all factors that will make your experience an all-around success.
Even if you party beforehand, it’s imperative to get a good night’s sleep, so hostels that opt for layouts that separate the sleeping areas from the social areas as much as possible will also win points in this aspect. Waking up well-rested in a comfortable bed will go a long way to make the experience memorable for all the right reasons.
If comfort is your prime concern you can go for hotels, we have merge a list of most luxurious hotels in the world.
Amenities
The most popular hostels offer plenty of amenities. Lockers are an excellent asset for safety, and you’ll usually find them at most hostels of good standing. They will also provide you with enough outlets to charge your devices, as well as sufficient blankets and pillows.
Some hostels offer whole entertainment areas with books, board games, and even video game consoles, computers, and TVs. And, of course, there is an important amenity that all travelers seek: a good WiFi connection.
Connecting to family and friends while traveling is a great asset, and while most hostel guests expect to deal with spotty connections, it’s always an excellent surprise to be treated to a stable one.
Other features prized by travelers include a well-stocked communal kitchen, thorough cleanliness, and friendly and competent staff.
What Is the Best Hostel in the World?
There have been many candidates for the accolade of best hostel in the world, and the options can be subjective and vary by continent. Still, a few names have been consistently leading the votes from users who participate in Hostelworld polls.
The hostel with the best social experience is the Mayan Monkey chain that extends across Mexico. The best sustainable hostel is the Cohort in Cornwall, while the best for inclusivity is the Modal in Greenville. The current best new hostel is The Green Elephant in Maastricht.
The 10 Best Hostels in the World
The 10 best hostels in the world stand out for the quality of experiences they offer. These are the most popular choices as determined by travelers from all around the world. No matter where you go or which option you choose, you will be guaranteed a great time.
Soul Kitchen, St Petersburg
If you’d like to visit Russia’s gorgeous St Petersburg, the Soul Kitchen should be the hostel you choose for your stay. It has been previously voted as the best hostel in Europe (and even the best small hostel worldwide), and when you stay there, you’ll be able to see why it has such an excellent reputation.
It is located in one of the best areas of St Petersburg, has an amazing English-speaking staff, excellent amenities, including a fully-equipped kitchen, and is known for its standards of cleanliness. The Soul Kitchen is within walking distance of most attractions in the city, like St Isaac’s Cathedral.
The Soul Kitchen has free apple pie and coffee served every morning for breakfast, and it is surrounded by fabulous restaurants.
Lub d, Phuket
If you’re visiting Thailand, you shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to stay on the gorgeous Phuket Island. There, next to the photogenic Patong Beach and the entertainment district of Bangla, you’ll find the Lub d Hostel.
This fantastic destination is perfect for fun-loving guests and offers numerous activities. It also includes a pool, a boxing ring, a bar/restaurant, and plenty of social space. You will be within walking distance of the most impressive sights on the island, and you’ll get to enjoy every aspect of visiting a Thai beach destination.
The Draper Startup House, Bangalore
In the high-tech environment found in Bangalore, India, the Draper Startup House emerged as an exciting prospect for guests and entrepreneurs. An excellent choice to stay while networking in this Indian equivalent of Silicon Valley while attending the numerous corporate events held at the location.
With the advantages of its plentiful co-working spaces and central location, the Draper highlights the importance of bringing diverse ideas and people together. It aims to enable one million entrepreneurs by 2030, and it has since evolved from its flagship hostel into several locations across Europe and Asia.
The Green Elephant, Maastricht
When visiting the picturesque town of Maastricht in the Netherlands, treat yourself to a stay at The Green Elephant. Its focus on wellness can be seen in the spa and hammam facilities on the premises. If you keep an eye out for their offers, you’ll be able to book yourself an excellent treatment that will make you feel refreshed.
If you’re only interested in staying the night, enjoy the comfort of the sleeping pods and the minimalistic Scandinavian design.
Bedbox, Athens
For visitors looking to explore the many wonders of Athens, the Bedbox is an amazing choice in the heart of the city. You’ll get to enjoy the trendy bars and restaurants in the Psyri district with the benefit of being only three kilometers away from the Acropolis.
The hostel is known for its comfort, its excellent on-site bar, and the convenient free WiFi. It is also within walking distance of sights like Monastiraki Square.
Cohort, Cornwall
You’ll find Cohort on the gorgeous Cornish coast, in St. Ives. The hostel prides itself on its drive for sustainability and green tourism, but it is also a genuinely amazing location within a converted chapel. The Cohort has supremely comfortable rooms and some of the fastest WiFi available. It’s also located at the heart of St Ives and near its stunning beaches.
Haka Lodge, Auckland
The Haka Lodge is located in the middle of Auckland’s cosmopolitan business district. This industrial-style reconverted building offers impressive comfort in one of the most exciting parts of the city and within walking distance of most attractions.
The staff is known for its friendliness, and the cleanliness, WiFi, and shared social spaces also shine at this location.
Mama's Home, Tulum
When you visit Tulum, in Mexico, you’ll have the opportunity to stay at one of the best hostels in the country. Mama’s Home truly makes you feel at home in a beautiful central area. Another primary draw is the delicious complimentary breakfast served every day to hungry backpackers.
You will also have access to a shared fully-equipped kitchen, but only after breakfast service is over.
Modal, Greenville
Visiting South Carolina won’t be a complete experience unless you enjoy the hospitality offered by the Modal in historic downtown Greenville. The Modal offers a luxurious hostel experience and prides itself on its inclusivity. While here, you’ll have access to waterfall showers and memory foam mattresses, as well as to the on-site art gallery.
Envoy, Yerevan
If you find yourself in vibrant Armenia, you should book a stay at the Envoy in Yerevan. This unassuming hostel that’s only a short walk away from the Opera House prides itself on the lovely conditions it offers, but it also makes a significant impact in different ways.
Voted as the best hostel with a community and social impact, Yerevan has become famous for how it houses refugees from neighboring Azerbaijan. It hosts numerous fundraising events and creates connections between refugees and the global community. Its impact is indispensable, and you can make a difference by staying there.
Which Is the Biggest Hostel in the World?
If you’re looking for the largest hostel in the world, you will have to add Berlin to your itinerary. When you get there, you should head to the Mitte district, a central borough in the city, home to the Brandenburg Gate. There you’ll also find the A&O Berlin Mitte Hostel, with over 1,000 beds spread across eight levels.
This hostel isn’t just impressive due to its size, but it’s also in an ideal location to see as much of the city’s sights as conveniently as possible. The district is also full of the trendiest cafés and eateries and close to the Hauptbahnhof, Berlin’s most centrally-located train station.
Outro
The 10 best hostels in the world offer unforgettable experiences in different locations that you can get to explore in full when traveling to them. When you have big bachlor group hostels works the best, here are Family Vacation Ideas with Teenagers you can consider for your next trip.