Hotels and hostels are two popular types of accommodation among travelers. They offer different pricing and services, catering to various groups of people.
Each has its own set of pros and cons. If you're unsure about whether to choose a hotel or a hostel, in this article, I will share some key differences between hotel and hostel. Stay tuned!
The main difference between hotels and hostels is the type of room offered. In hotels, rooms usually have one, two, or more beds, especially in family rooms. However, each room is usually booked by only one guest or guest group.
In contrast, hostels often have dormitory-style rooms. These rooms contain several bunk beds and can accommodate many guests at once, from 4 to 12 or even more.
When booking at a hostel, you're essentially reserving a bed, not the whole room. You will share the room with other guests. The rooms might be for females only, males only, or mixed.
Nowadays, many hostels also offer private rooms. You can book these like a hotel room, but the amenities are still in line with what hostels typically offer.
Let's talk about the amenities or items you get in the room. In hotels, the standard items usually include soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, slippers, and drinking water.
If you stay in a higher-star hotel, you'll find even more amenities. Some hotels provide additional items like hair dryers, irons, and mini-bars in the room.
At a hostel, the basic items are often similar to what you'd find in a hotel. The main difference is that you usually have to collect these items yourself from the hostel lobby.
In some hostels, you might even need to pick up your own bed sheets and pillowcases and make your bed. When your stay is over, you're expected to take off these sheets and pillowcases and return them to the hostel lobby.
Other items, such as hair dryers and irons, are generally not available in individual rooms but are provided in a common area. You can use these shared amenities along with other guests at the hostel.
In hotels, each room comes with its own bathroom, including a toilet and sink. These bathrooms are private, meaning only the guests staying in the room can use them. This offers more flexibility in terms of usage.
Hostels, on the other hand, handle bathrooms differently. Sometimes the bathroom is inside the room, similar to what you'd find in a hotel. However, there are also bathrooms outside the room.
These external bathrooms are usually located in a common area with several bathrooms available. Often, the toilet, shower, and sink are separate, allowing multiple guests to use the facilities at the same time.
A drawback of hostel bathrooms is their availability. At peak times, you may find them occupied by other guests, which means you might have to wait in line to use them.
Both hotels and hostels usually offer breakfast for their guests. In hotels, breakfast is often served as a buffet or a la carte in the restaurant, or it can be delivered to your room.
In hostels, breakfast is provided in a communal dining room and kitchen. Here, guests are given basic food items like bread, jam, eggs, milk, and cereal. You need to prepare these ingredients yourself using the provided kitchen equipment.
After eating, you are responsible for cleaning up. This includes washing any dishes, glasses, spoons, and pots and pans you used. It's important to leave everything clean and put it back where it belongs.
Public facilities in hotels vary and depend on the hotel's rating. Some hotels offer swimming pools, restaurants, gyms, spas, and laundry services. Generally, the higher the hotel's class, the more facilities it has.
Hostels usually don't have as many facilities as hotels, but they still offer essential amenities. One example is the shared kitchen I mentioned earlier. This kitchen isn't just for breakfast; it can be used all day to cook different meals.
Many hostels now also include washing machine and tumble dryer facilities for guests. These are usually coin-operated and reasonably priced.
These facilities in hostels are great for saving money. You can buy ingredients and cook your own meals, which costs less than eating out. Plus, being able to do your laundry on-site is convenient and affordable.
Hostels often have lots of common areas too. These spaces are designed for guests to interact with each other. This is a contrast to hotels, which usually focus more on providing privacy to their guests.
The final major difference between hotels and hostels is the price. Hotels, with their greater range of facilities and services, typically cost more than hostels.
This difference in pricing leads to different types of customers for each. Hotels are often the choice for business people, families, or travelers with more to spend. Meanwhile, hostels are popular among backpackers or solo travelers who just need a place to sleep.
These are the key differences you'll find between staying in a hotel or a hostel. Which one do you prefer, hotels or hostels?
