12 videos to prove how hostels have changed

From spartan accommodation for 1 night's sleep to unique social hubs: 12 hostels in Europe where relax, design and social sharing are the king.

When checking Wikipedia's definition of hostel, we discovered that the idea of hostels we have today, still dates back to 1909 when their main social purpose was "to also allow young people with less money to practice tourism".

More than a century has gone by, however far too many people still believe that hostels are simply accommodation with poor facilities and spartan rooms, stuffed with noisy and unconfortable bunk beds (our #LoveHostels campaign proves exactly the contrary).

Things have actually changed. Hostels do not only provide a place to sleep but are "social" spaces, where to meet other travelers from all over the world, in a lively, pleasant, and no frills atmosphere. Hold on, we didn't say that they have become overcrowded places! Recently, hostels have heavily invested in comfort, design and service for their guests, and have now become extremely cool places, where locals often hang out.

To make a long story short, the stereotype of the crumbling and shabby hostel is over, get over it! ;)

Some hostels have nothing less than hotels for the care and uniqueness of furniture and decorations, and the wide range of services offered (most hostels provide now private rooms with private bathrooms). But the main difference with hotels lies in the philosophy behind staying in a hostel: young people (and mature travelers too) go for a hostel not only to save money but rather because they know very well that they will get to know many new people, go party and enjoy a sharing atmosphere that makes the trip a social experience.

Cut the chatter, here are 12 videos introducing some of the coolest hostels in Europe!

DENMARK, COPENAGHEN: @GENERATOR COPENHAGEN

GERMANY, MUNICH: @WOMBAT'S CITY HOSTEL MUNICH

ITALY, BOLOGNA: @OSTELLO WE_BOLOGNA

HUNGARY, BUDAPEST: @CASA DE LA MUSICA

BELGIUM, BRUSSELS: @2GO4 QUALITY HOSTEL

SWEDEN, STOCKHOLM: @ACCO HOSTEL

ENGLAND, LONDON: @REST UP LONDON

IRELAND, DUBLIN: @JACOBS INN

PORTUGUAL, PORTO: @TATTVA DESIGN

POLAND, WARSAW: @DREAM HOSTEL

FRANCE, PARIS: @THE LOFT BOUTIQUE

HOLLAND, AMSTERDAM: @WOW AMSTERDAM

If you found this article useful, follow our YouTube channel where many more videos of hostels all around the world are available. If instead you'd like to take a look at hostels for your next travel destination... well, you can start right now by searching through the below form!