Comments on: Hosteling for Baby Boomers

By: juan

juan — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:10:48 +0000

I subscribe all the article. Hostels give you one of the most important things to feel happiness in life: the possibility to meet with interesting people from all over the world.

By: Carol Jean

Carol Jean — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 17:54:32 +0000

I used hostels when going SOLO by train from Oregon to SAN diego CAL. I am a retired teacher and I find it easy to meet people. I appreciated a common kitchen and lunge area and enjoyed the travel tales and camaraderie not found in a typical budget hotel in the USA. Give it a go seniors! You just might get “hooked”.

By: Bob Merrick

Bob Merrick — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 18:23:44 +0000

I have always avoided hostels because I had the same false beliefs about them that was described in this article. I also thought that they were for young adults only. You have enlightened me. I would have asked where I can check on them further, but that was answered in the reply section. Thanks for such an eye opener. It will change the way I travel in the future.

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 19:51:15 +0000

Yes, they have hostels. Check out hostelworld.com for a listing.

By: Lis

Lis — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:41:59 +0000

In reply to Gray.

I’ve found the same thing in Europe – been researching a trip and basically I can get a double room in a discounted Ibis or similar – with a private bath compared to a private room in a hostel. However you are unlikely to get a kitchen and free films if that’s important to you

By: Sharon M

Sharon M — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 11:47:39 +0000

There are many hostels available that welcome children, but you need to do your research beforehand. Sometimes they’re listed as “family rooms” or something along those lines. It’s more expensive than staying in the dorm rooms, but usually much cheaper than a hotel! My kids love traveling and meeting new people, so staying in a hostel is always a fun experience for them. And if you expose them early and teach them the “rules of the road,” others will be very impressed with your child’s good behavior 🙂

By: Mark Tisdale

Mark Tisdale — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 10:04:36 +0000

My first experience with hostels was New Years in Edinburgh several years ago and I’ve rarely done hotels abroad since. I’ve encountered a wide range of ages and more than a few families staying at various hostels along the way. A friend recommended the first one to me, but since then I’ve tended to read the reviews on hostel booking sites and you can get a pretty good idea of what to expect and whether what someone else saw as a shortcoming is an issue for you. Reports of grotty showers and baths are the main thing that will send me back to the list! There’s a limit to being cheap sometime! LOL

Seriously, though, in my eyes the hostel serves one main purpose, a place to put my head at night. People spend out the nose for nice hotel rooms and then spend their days seeing the city. Seriously don’t understand it! I do like the common areas, though, as a solo traveler, nice way to meet other travelers and exchange notes on where you’ve been and where you’re going.

That said, I have never been so happy as I was arriving in Edinburgh after a rumble tumble week of hostels in the highlands and having a nice hotel room that I’d gotten super cheap (middle of January!). I had a yucky cold coming on and there was nothing so pampering as a huge soft bed and a bath all to myself! I guess it is nice to treat oneself every so often. 😉

Will have to try the two bed dorm trick the next time I see one. I’ve been alone in a dorm before – mid-week in a four person in London. Was quite odd having all that space!

By: Benjamin Spall

Benjamin Spall — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 23:37:29 +0000

Really enjoyable post Barbara. I was talking to an old friend about hostels only yesterday. Everybody I have asked (including him) echoed everything you said re: the clean, safe and social nature of hostels. I haven’t stayed in once since school, but I’ll be sure to make it them my accommodation of choice in the future!

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:17:33 +0000

In reply to Deej. What was the name of the hostel?

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:04:53 +0000

In reply to Chris. I think she meant hostels aren't just for young people :)