28 photos that will convince you to choose a hostel over a hotel

It's time to dispel any myths you may have heard about hostels in 28 incredibile photos!

We get it. When many people think of hostels they call to mind tiny dorms crammed with bunk beds, shared bathrooms that are dirty at best, and breakfasts that are not even worth getting up for. And why would anyone want to sleep with strangers, even if it is cheaper?!

Well, here at HostelsClub we are on a mission to show you that Hostels are not just as good as Hotels, but better. Recently incredible luxury hostels with incredible design have been opening all around the world. The quality of hostels has increased dramatically, but the price of a nights stay has stayed the same!

Think of swimming pools, rooftop bars, saunas, games rooms, golf courses, private clubs and even rooms within in castles, trains and boats. Consider 5-star restaurants, roofs open to the starry sky and bars that are open 24/7. Our Hostels have it all. And the best thing? Staying Hostels will never break the bank as hotels do, and you're sure to meet some new friends along the way

1. London hostel: Via Limehouse

This super stylish hostel is located in the fashionable East End of London, and with lounge rooms and TV area, you can be sure you have places to relax after exploring the city. With all-female and mixed dorms and a 24/7 reception, Via Limehouse is a perfect hostel for any backpacker visiting London!

2 Berlin hostel: One 80 Hostel Berlin

This awesome design hostel in Berlin has a private dance club and resident DJ, so if you're looking for somewhere where you can party in Berlin then this is the place for you! The hostel offers light and spacious bunk rooms with four, six or eight beds. Most rooms have en-suite bathrooms and the few that don’t have bathrooms close by.

3 Amsterdam Hostel: Train Lodge Amsterdam

A hostel in a train. That’s all you really need to know about Train Lodge Amsterdam, probably the strangest and most unique hostel in Europe. Sleeping in a carriage taken from the old Rome- Zurich train line has never been so comfy (and fun!).

4. Hostel in Lithuania: Fabrika Hostel and Bar

Light wood, a rainbow of colours and rough materials meet in this young and modern hostel, creating a cocktail of styles and decorations recalling Pop Art’s most eccentric works. Fabrika was designed as a hostel but appears to be an Art Gallery too… you’re not going to forget your stay here anytime soon!

5. Croatia Hostel: Design Hostel Goli + Bosi

We have flown to Croatia to find ourselves in an incredible design hostel: a refurbished and restored space that has been furnished with a very refined style, along with a heightened attention to functionality and comfort. At the Goli + Boli design hostel, every object has a story, and you can’t miss out on the open terrace on the top floor.

6. Miami Hostel: Freehand Miami

Freehand Miami really sets a high bar when it comes to what you would expect in a hostel. With interior design by Roman & Williams and local Miami beach artists, you will only be amazed at what you find. Just look at how stylish the dorms are! Oh, and did we mentioned there is an outdoor pool and lush tropical courtyard? We’re packing our bags already!

7. Iceland Hostel: Oddsson Ho(s)tel

This Hostel has that edgy Icelandic design that we just love, and if you're into fitness you can make use of the free gym and yoga room! Om! With a rooftop terrace and views of the sea, you can enjoy spending time with other backpackers and making new friends!

8. London hostel: Dictionary Hostel Shoreditch

This trendy hostel close to Liverpool Street station in London offers awesome staff, free wifi, 24-hour reception, a free breakfast, roof terrace, self-catering kitchen, laundrette, table football, coffee shop and even a funky bar called ‘Translate’. Honestly, what else can you want?!

9. Hostel in Portugal: Tattva Design Hostel

As the name suggests, the Tattva Design Hostel has been designed to perfection. With a spacious outdoor BBQ area, laundry service, reading lounge and bar and restaurant, you might never want to leave! Oh, and there is an aquarium lounge too, with an aquarium full of exotic fish. Breakfast is also included (let’s just hope it’s not the exotic fish!).

10. Hostel Berlin: Wallyard Concept Hostel Berlin

This hostel has such a cool, clean and sleek design, you won’t believe it! With comfy mattress, a sunny backyard and cafe, you can be sure that you won’t want to leave! With a 24/7 reception and no lockout or curfew, you don’t have to worry about getting home late, either.

11. Thailand Hostel: The Cocoon Hostel

The Cocoon hostel in Thailand really brings the idea of sharing and meeting other travellers to a whole new level. With a games room, movie theatre and use of a pantry, we really have to ask ourselves… what hotel offers this kind of service? Free toiletries are provided for all the rooms and there is also all-female bathrooms. Perfect.

12. Hostel in Spain: Samay Hostel

The first and original hostel in Seville, Samay Hostel provides free luggage storage, 24/7 reception and a rooftop terrace with bar. It’s located right next to many Tapas bars where you can experience the true taste of Spain, as well as many Flamenco bars (where you can burn off all that Tapas!). Paella dinners are served on the rooftop every Saturday night too, so it looks like you might be coming home from here weighing a little bit more!

13. Sydney Hostel: Mad Monkey Coogee Beach

This hostel is located right on Coogee beach in Sydney, so you can stumble out of bed right onto the sand! We love the bright and airy rooms, super comfy modern sofas, and terraces with sweeping views over the sea. The true Aussie experience is waiting for you!

14. London hostel: Rest Up London

Just 10 mins tube ride from the centre of London, Rest Up is an amazing hostel with the on-site restaurant to enjoy a typical English breakfast, along with a games room and TV room. The whole hostel is decorated in a British - retro style, so you’re Instagram account will gain a few more followers too!

15. Frankfurt Hostel: Five Elements Hostel

Spoiler Alert: The Five elements is a hostel only for the most passionate of travellers! In the middle of the red light district, this hostel expresses its individual style though dark wooden floors and cream coloured furniture, giving it a highly sophisticated feel. The cherry on the cake? Every day you can expect an eventful evening: films, cooking courses, group games … so even if the red light district is not for you, you are sure to have fun!

16. Hostel in Amsterdam: Ecomama Amsterdam

Ecomama Amsterdam … now here’s a Hostel that adapts to your needs! Are you a young woman travelling alone? (Well done by the way, but be careful of any dangers!). Ecomama offers all female dorms for you. Are you on holiday with your other half? Pamper yourself with a luxury private room (with an en-suite bathroom) and enjoy the comfortable room and an unmissable price!

17. Hostel in Serbia: Green Studio

Featured on Vice news, English newspaper The Guardian, and Lonely Planet, you can rest assured that this the Green Studio hostel is worth visiting. Run by volunteers, the property works as a hostel and studio, where daily workshop sessions with art and music are mixed with travellers and stories. When you arrive you will be presented with a welcome drink - coffee, tea or beer and shots.

18. Vienna Hostel: Palace Hostel

The best-located hostel in Vienna, the Palace hostel offers breathtaking views of the city of Vienna. Immersed in a 12ha green park, you will have plenty of exploring to do on foot or by bike. A super family friendly hostel, the property has a children’s corner, two (yes, two!) terraces, a volleyball playground and a mini-golf course. You can also hire nordic walking sticks or mountains bikes. You see... Even better than a hotel! :)

19. Hostels in Cape Town: Observatory Backpackers

Observatory backpackers provides luxury dorms and private rooms to any wearied traveller making their way through South Africa. With free wifi, a fantastic garden and a clean and polished style, this hostel is the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring.

20. Queenstown Hostel: Nomads Queenstown

Yes, it’s true - this hostel has a sauna. And that's not all - with rooms with mountain and lake views, fireplaces and common areas, you’ll just want to curl up here and never leave! With a cinema and kitchen, along with a free breakfast and ski storage, it’s not surprising that Queenstown hostel won the Golden Backpacker award for two years running!

21. Hostel Berlin: Generator Prenzlauer Berg

With express check-in and check-out, multiple loungers for travellers and group teachers, and multiple room types (from Dorms to Quads, to Private en-suites with innovative mod cons) there is something here for everyone. You can also make use of the on-site bar, with happy ‘hour’ running from 5 pm- 2 am every day (you’re welcome)! Not to mention the awesome hostel design, that can be found in all our Generator Hostels!

22. Prague Hostels: Sir Toby’s Hostel

This luxury boutique hostel just oozes with design style. With almost two entire floors dedicated to common areas, you will find a shared kitchen to use, along with a cosy reading room, garden with BBQ, and an underground pub to have a drink and play board games. As with many hostels nowadays, you can book a shared or private room to meet your needs.

23. Azerbaijan Hostel: LOFT Hostel Baku

The LOFT hostel Baku describes itself as a hostel that combines thing of seemingly incompatible style to create, end the end, a cosy at tasteful atmosphere. And we agree! And with a large games room, living room and kitchen, this hostel is the perfect choice if you are travelling to Azerbaijan.

24. Hostels in Belgrade, Serbia: Hostel Fair

Hostel Fair is one of those amazing hostels that offer free everything - free wifi, tea and coffee, maps, lockers, air-con, toiletries, parking, use of kitchen and a multi-functional room. It also boasts a 24-hour reception and a super comfy, cosy and homely atmosphere, where we are sure you will feel right at home. We just want to curl up there with a book and never leave!

25. Madrid Hostel: Cats Chill Out Hostel

There are no real cats in this hostel, but it gets its name from the world “Madrileños” (Meaning people from Madrid) who are often nicknamed “cats” because they are always out and about during the day and especially during the night. So that’s where the Hostel gets its name from! But best of all, this hostel is located in a 17th Century Spanish Palace! You are sure to have a royal time staying in this hostel

26. Hostel in Mexico City: Downtown Beds

You don’t need to know much about this hostel except that it has an awesome terrace with a bar and pool located on the roof of the 17th Century palace that this hostel is in. There is also a screening room and a Mexican street food ‘Fonda’, and the rooms have an ultra-cool trendy design. Take a look at the link to see some more awesome pictures of this hostel in Mexico City!

27. Hostel Berlin: 2A Hostel

The 2A Hostel seems to have been made for measure for any type of Backpacker. A games room, bike rental service, computers with internet connection, private lockers … nothing has been left to chance. And the design? Incredible!

28. Amsterdam Hostel: Hotelboat Amsterdam

If Amsterdam is famous for its network of canals and colourful reflections of the houses on the water, what would be the best way to experience the most genuine side of the city, if not by staying on a real hostel-boat? The Hotelboat Amsterdam will let you see the city in a different light (and have a relaxing sleep whilst gently rocking on the water…)

So there you have it, there are so many fun, cool, crazy, cheap and interesting hostels in the world, you can always consider hostels to be a great choice! Spoilt for choice? Then let us guide you with how to choose the perfect hostel in 10 steps!