Before becoming hostels

Amazing hostel buildings with an interesting past

How about staying in hostels housed in buildings with an interesting past? We've put together a top 10 hostels housed in interesting building, from London to Zadar, check it out!

Safestay at Elephant and Castle, London
This luxury boutique hostel is housed in a fully restored 19th century monumental building and former headquarter of the Labour Party. The rooms where politicians used to plan their next campaign strategy have been replaced by amazing private rooms and dorms with reading light. A fantastic common room with pool table and a back garden with seating area. Safestay is located in London Borough of Southwark, close to Elephant and Castle.


Cocomama, Amsterdam
Are you wondering why right at the doorsteps of Cocomama, you are actually welcomed by some pics of the former owner surrounded by some girls and underwear? Yes, you are just about to stay in one of Amsterdam's most popular former brothels which has been now turned into Amsterdam's first boutique hostel. Dutch themed rooms, kitchen and a back garden. Social events like the "Tight Ass night" when you can have dinner for as little as 3 euro. Cocomama is located on Amsterdam's Southern Canal Ring, a 5-minute walk to Albert Cuijp Market.


The Independent Hostel & Suites, Lisbon
From official residence of the Swiss Ambassador to a boutique hostel in the trend-setter district of Barrio Alto! The Independent Hostel & Suites is housed in a classic Portuguese style palace with a wide choice of spacious rooms/dorms with a private lounge for each of them. Have a drink or grab some food at their on site restaurant/bar "The Independent" and enjoy the external patio. Are you a flash backpacker? Don't miss out their suite rooms then.


King Kong Hostel, Rotterdam
King Kong Hostel has a long and interesting story: it went from being a tattoo shop and illegal casino to a brothel. It's now a fantastic newly opened Rotterdam hostel plenty of character - it mixes industrial design pieces to vintage ones - and of interesting rooms like the "business dorm" ideal for the 21st century business traveler or the "lovers loft". Bright and welcoming coffee bar with seating area, external back patio with wooden deck. You find it in the cool district ‘Witte de Withstraat"


Boutique Hostel Forum, Zadar
Hostel Forum is a design and boutique hostel in Zadar; it is partially housed in the former office of Bruno Milic (if you are not into architecture, he was a very important architect) and in a 1960s existing residential block. Today, it's one of Croatia's top new generation hostels: interior design with stripes as main deco pattern, modern furniture in all 37 air conditioned rooms (privates and dorms) which also come with bed linen and towels at no additional costs. Hostel Forum's innovative design matches perfectly with the nearby Archeological Museum and the Roman Forum nextdoor. It's ideal for backpackers looking for a spotless and trendy hostel in Zadar.


Freehand Miami, Miami
Freehand Miami offers exactly everything new generation flackbackpackers are looking for in a hostel. Premises are unique: the former Indian Creek Hotel, perhaps one of Miami's best examples of 1930s Art Deco building. If you add to this that it has been fully restyled and designed by Roman&William.... It's only few blocks from Ocean Drive and South Beach. If you feel to lazy to head down to the beach, you can always try their private swimming pool.


Generator Venice, Venice
How does it sound to sleep in a former old granary? You can, if you book at Generator Hostel when visiting Venice. The building has been fully refurbished but both the façade and the interior space retain that old touch with original bricks, wooden beams and marble columns; the location, on the Giudecca island, makes it possibly the best hostel where to stay at for the Redentore: you can infact fully enjoy the Redentore fireworks as nowhere else from the fondamenta right in front of the hostel.


Alma Porto Hostel, Porto
You might want to check if under your bed there is a diamond when staying at Alma Porto Hostel; what is now one of Porto's most popular hostels, used to be a jewellery shop. This 19th-century building still comes with the typical Porto style tiles, has a spacious kitchen, a lounge area a garden for guest and a wide choice of rooms, from privates to dorms.


Isaacs Hostel, Dublin
Isaacs Hostel is located in a former 19th-century wine shop: the original bricked vaults have been fully preserved and really create a special atmosphere. You find it on Frenchmans's Lane, literally few minutes walking from Busaras and Connolly Station. Guests can use the communal kitchen, relax in the reading room and common area and even use the hostel sauna and you know what, it's free of charge!


BackStay Hostel Ghent, Ghent
The Art-Deco building that houses Backstage Hostel has been the editorial office of the local newspaper “Vooruit” until the 1980s; journalists have now been replaced by backpackers keen on discovering the beauties Ghent has to offer. With 108 beds and 15 rooms, Backstage is Ghent's largest hostel hence suits groups. Guests can relax in the common area and have a drink at the on-site bar. Their motto is: "Every traveler is a friend"


Do you know any other hostel hostel with an interesting story? Let us know!