No thanks to filmmaker Eli Roth, Hostels have become a popular choice of accommodation for backpackers in the past several years – largely due to word of mouth from seasoned travelers, who have sworn about its homey ambiance. I remember my first ‘hostel’ experience during my first trip abroad in 2007 wasn’t nowhere near any good. Bed bugs, dirty linens and snoring dorm-mates had me and my brother awake most of the night. That however, didn’t discouraged me from staying at other hostels as I amass miles on the road. Doing so, also helped stretched my travel budget and I’ve come to experience the best of what a lot of these establishments has to offer aside from economical accommodation. Hip and trendy interior, a lively common area where I get to hang out with other travelers and most of all; travel advice I get from the staff – who in some cases are experienced backpackers too. Wanting to learn if I share the same love for everything ‘hostels’, I asked fellow travel bloggers about their most memorable hostel stays.
Backpackers' Home Away from Home
My Top Picks
Where 2 Next Hostel – Nacpan Beach El Nido, Palawan
“Set in a property lavished by a spacious lawn covered lot, this hostel offers a choice of tent and the usual hostel dorm room accommodation. We opted for the roomy tent pitched under the ceiling of nighttime skies. Set aback a couple of hundred meters from the long fine white sand beaches of Nacpan and Calitang, walking to and from the beach gives you the chance to pass by and interact with the local community.”
Second Wind Bed Bunk & Breakfast – Boracay, Aklan
“Situated in the quiet part of the island, Second Wind BBB gives the escape you need from the wild euphoric atmosphere of Boracay’s beachfront area. This could have been like any other hostels I stayed before, but the ‘courtyard’ setting of its common area sets it apart. The open air venue gives you more reason to just hang out and engage fellow travelers in a quiet conversation or a moment to plot your next route.”
Aileen Siroy of Travel. Food. Finds
Stops Hostel – Varanasi, India
“Stops Hostel in Varanasi is one of my favorites. It is homey and incredibly charming. I love that this hostel is splashed in bright colors because it gives the place such a happy vibe... My favorite part though would be the service. Everyone at STOPS was all so nice and wonderful!”
Doi Domasian of the Traveling Feet
Piece Hostel – Kyoto, Japan
“What’s great about Piece Hostel, aside from its proximity to the Kyoto Station, is its comfortable futon bunk beds, which are wide enough to let your backpack sleep with you. Their bathrooms are stocked with huge bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and liquid body soap all free to use.”
Aleah Taboclaon of Solitary Wanderer
Caveland Hostel – Santorini, Greece
“I have stayed in hostels in over 25 countries, and my favorite thus far is Caveland Hostel in Santorini. It used to be a winery back in the 1700s, and its cave-like structures proved to fit its new identity quite well... The small touches, from the wall mosaic made of discarded red tiles to the chandelier made of grape vines, give Caveland a unique, very personal touch.”
Kara Santos of Traveling-Up
Junction Hostel – Makati City
“Junction Hostel offers a fun, modern hangout for urban adventures in Makati... But at the end of the day (or early morning in our case), we had a place to go back to and sleep peacefully without worrying about our safety. The hostel also has a co-working space, so tech-savvy travelers can work and play at the same time.”
Renz Bulseco of the Traveling Nomad
Sensi Backpackers Hostel – Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
“We were really surprised by how clean and organized the hostel was. Interestingly, the caretakers of the hostel were all Filipinos! We also have free breakfast, free towel, free water, everything’s free! Thus our 30 ringgit per night at Sensi was worth it.”
Karla Ramos of Karla Around the World
Coffee Shack Backpackers Lodge – Coffee Bay, South Africa
“Breathtaking views and an unbelievably homey atmosphere—that’s what I got from the Coffee Shack in Coffee Bay, South Africa... It’s a running tab logged on to your room. You simply pay for your entire bill at the end of your trip... Personally, my favorite tour was when we were taken to the local village and the villagers sang for us and fed us local cuisine.”
Joey and Krissy Latayada of Bound for Two
Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostels – Georgetown Penang, Malaysia
“One of the chic hostels within UNESCO Heritage City of Georgetown Penang. It has the charm of boutique accommodation but is a budget backpackers’ hub where comfort isn’t compromised. I enjoyed staying here because of the dedicated living space for bibliophiles.”
Kaiz Belga of Miss Backpacker
Snowland Inn – Gorakshep Village, Nepal
“I will forever remember Snowland Inn in Gorakshep Village, the last village before the famous Everest Base Camp. After reaching the base camp of Mount Everest, I had to retire early and get some shut-eye. I was sick, cold, throwing up, and feeling all of the discomforts one gets at a high altitude. With renewed energy, I woke up the next day to something that surprised me: a spectacular view of Mount Everest from the window of our room.”
Micaela Rodriguez of Senyorita
Frendz Hostel – Boracay Island, Aklan
“Boracay is known as the party island of the Philippines. I first discovered Frendz Resort through foreign bloggers who were raving about it. Just two minutes on foot from the white beach in Station 1, Frendz Resort offers reasonable rates for backpackers. They offer a standard bed instead of the usual double-deck bunk beds. Usually, guests get together at the common area and solo travelers often end up leaving the place with good memories of new “frendz.””
Sarah Osio of Travelosio
Shophouse: The Social Hostel – Arab Street, Singapore
“For $16 a night, Shophouse The Social Hostel has exactly what I needed. They have “No Man’s Land,” dedicating the entire third level exclusive for females. It requires a special key card to enter the room, private bathroom facilities, and powder room. The room itself is spacious, fully air-conditioned, and painted in pink.”
Shugah Pauline Gonzales of Wander Shugah
Gabby’s Bed & Breakfast – Dumaguete City
“What I like about this hostel is its simple but quirky look and its location. It’s in a subdivision, about 10 minutes away from the town proper. You’ll love the pop of colors everywhere. The hostel is very tidy, a comfortable home-style accommodation. Free Wi-Fi, free breakfast. Everything fits my budget.”
Gelo Santos of Beyond Toxicity
Wombats City Hostel – Naschmarkt, Vienna
“Upon alighting from the taxi cab and dragging my sprained right foot, I honestly thought I entered a wrong place and asked the people at the reception, “Is this a hostel or hotel? Is this Wombats City Hostel? Sure?” The lobby, the lounge, and the reception all looked so inviting, new, and lively. The presence of a few vendo machines provided me assurance that I would never go hungry.”
Samantha Coronado of Follow You on the Road
The Circle Hostel – La Union, Zambales, Baler
“If you’re surfing in La Union, Zambales or Baler, head on over to The Circle Hostel. It’s the go-to place to get stoked, with good vibes painted over its walls. This carefree beach feels that live up to their slogan of “There are no strangers here.””
This article appeared in the Lifestyle pages of the May 8, 2016 issue of Manila Bulletin.
