My hostel preferences have evolved.
Sept 2025.
I have always been a hostel advocate. Here's why.
Acting as gateways to new experiences I summarise my love for these communities, I believe they provide so much more than somewhere to sleep.
My preferred genre of hostel is changing.
Party hostels, homestays or something else entirely? The idea of a perfect hostel has drastically changed shape in my mind.
My top three list of epic adventure hostels.
Here is some travel inspiration if you’re looking for a hostel with great access to the untamed outdoors.
I have always been a hostel advocate.
As a budget traveller it probably comes as no surprise that I have stayed in my fair share of hostels, over 50 in fact. I stand by my opinion that they are one of the best ways to see the world, with their affordability making travel more accessible for all. There are bountiful reasons why I believe hostels are so marvellous, in which I will elaborate on now.
People are often surprised when I say I feel safer in a hostel than in a hotel when travelling alone, but as a solo woman exploring a new city, it wouldn’t be hard for someone to follow me and notice I’m alone. In hostels, there’s a constant presence of travellers who look out for one another, which feels endlessly safer than being by myself in a hotel. If a stranger were to break into a hostel room, there would likely be a dozen people to witness and respond, and even if it is someone in the room who seems off, they’re unlikely to cause harm with so many others coming and going. I actually feel at my most comfortable in shared spaces, and these thoughts around safety aren’t things I tend to battle with.
Beyond safety, hostels are a gateway to new locations, cities, and experiences. I believe they’re more than just a place to sleep; they’re a tool you can use to explore the world. It’s up to you whether you utilise them. Perhaps most beautifully, they are a space where kind strangers can become lifelong friends. Everyone is there for a similar reason, which makes starting conversations easy and natural, being tied to this unique circumstance together, it’s almost inevitable to bond. I’ve met some of my favourite people in hostels, those who started out as strangers and, within days, became cherished friends whom I shared stories and secrets with that have never previously seen the light of day. What’s not to love about meeting likeminded people and sharing a single adventure, or even a whole chapter of your life as a result? I have lived in hostels for months at a time, and they have been some of the most formative phases I have ever experienced, they will be the chapters I remember most vividly when I am old. In my opinion, nothing beats life on the road and I believe it prepares you for the inevitable non-permanency of people and places that come hand in hand with life. Constant movement forces you to embrace change, let go of attachments, and find comfort in the unfamiliar.
My favourite genre of hostel is changing.
When I first started travelling, I was drawn to party hostels – and I still (somewhat) stand by this decision. They are a melting pot of culture and curiosity, where meeting people and making friends is as easy as exchanging a smile. Not many things are as uniquely bonding as swapping travel stories over a beer, followed by a chaotic night out in a foreign city. If you are travelling for the first time, I would recommend party hostels again and again, solely for the social aspect. They are designed with connection in mind, often organising social events and activities so you don’t have to. Thus, making them a great option if you’re feeling anxious about solo travel, at the very least you’ll walk away with a story to tell.
While I still hold space for these social-type hostels, I have found myself gravitating towards more laid-back vibes. Don’t get me wrong, still social, but I like a more homely, community feel. Think family-run hostels, almost bordering on homestays, where you can immerse yourself more deeply in the local culture. This also offers a change from the ease of being surrounded by fellow backpackers wherever you go, I actually enjoy the challenge of travel not being so easy.
Part of this shift could be down to my endlessly growing love for the outdoors and staying in refuges- I’d rather a hostel function like a mountain hut, built on community, mutual respect, and a shared appreciation for the environment over much else.
My top three list of adventure hostels.
Creating a top 10 hostel list would be virtually impossible. Of course, I remember the standout ones (for reasons both good and bad), but not with enough detail to do them justice in a ranked list. What I can share with passion, though, is my top 3 outdoorsy hostels- these are all places I’ve stayed in over the last 18 months, each leaving a lasting impression on me. These are all actual hostels you can book hassel free, rather than refuges and huts despite how they may appear. As I mentioned earlier, my idea of the perfect hostel has shifted, and these three hit the mark for what I now look for when booking accommodation. So, in no particular order…
1. Black Sail Hut
I truly never thought a hostel located in England would make my top 3 list, but here we are. Black Sail Hut is England’s most remote hostel located in the Ennerdale region of the Lake District, it is only accessible on foot or bike making for an epic multi-day stopover. The hostels’ remote location is nestled beneath cairns, hills and valleys and there are endless rambling trails you could take from here, including Scarth Gap, Haystacks, Pillar and Pillar rock, Great Gable and Black Sail Pass. This is my favourite region of the Lake District simply because there is so much wilderness to explore.
I stayed here on a particularly gloomy day, but the weather only added to the charm. We were immersed in classic English countryside, thick grey clouds hung overhead, followed shortly by downpours, damp grass and grazing sheep. The building is an old Shepards hut that was converted into an accommodation back in 1933, before that it served as a bothy offering shelter to shepherds working in the valleys. It certainly has a rich history which can be felt through its cobbled stone exterior, chunky wooden doorframes and slate tiled roof.
Despite its rustic shell, the facilities were exceptional: a communal dining area, crisp linen, thick mattresses, warm radiators, shelves of board games and books, and hot meals prepared on-site. It does come at a cost, but I would argue its worth every penny. You get the perfect mix of the untamed outdoors regarding the location, and the classic British comforts within.
2. Gîte La Montagne
Sitting at the foot of Mont Blanc, this hostel served as the perfect gateway to the mighty French Alps. Anyone who’s visited Chamonix knows that traveling in this part of the world doesn’t come cheap, however, I stumbled across this accommodation for just £23 a night on Hostelworld. Finding somewhere at such a low cost felt almost too good to be true, and I couldn’t help but worry that this feeling might turn into a harsh, uncomfortable reality. The price was undeniably appealing, but paired with mixed reviews, I approached the booking with a level of scepticism. Some reviews stated…
‘Very bad, not hygienic, awful location’
‘Didn’t like it – small bathroom, no ventilation, overcrowded’
‘Save your money and stay somewhere else’
But to me, my experience couldn’t have been more perfect. I believe a seasoned traveller would really appreciate the unique charm and rustic qualities of this place. It’s an old wooden French gîte with a handful of dorms, each sleeping between 6 and 12 guests. The decoration feels retro and quaint, like how I imagine mountain huts might have looked in the early ’90s, faded prints on the walls, patterned bed sheets, and a lived-in charm. Though this doesn’t seem like a conscious design choice, more a reflection of its long-standing presence, dating back to the ’90s or earlier. The kitchen was impressively well-equipped, allowing guests to prepare meals from scratch. Small touches that made a big difference.
Upstairs in the dorms there was only one plug socket for 12 people, and if the room was full you would be on a mattress on the floor next to a stranger – but the payoff is being able to hear all sorts of stories from mountaineers, hikers and trail runners, and having the privilege of staying in an accommodation that valued community and experience over luxury. It felt like I was escorted back in time to how international travel was originally intended; simple, communal and a genuine space to recharge. Oh and of course you’re surrounded by some of the tallest and most breathtaking peaks in the world.
In addition to this, it felt to be an authentic experience of the French countryside; I was greeted by a woman through some sort of serving latch in the wall who spoke no word of English. We communicated only via gestures and writing my name on a piece of paper so she could check my booking. You could buy bread and cheese in the town but would have to cart it to the hostel as there weren’t any other options nearby, the hostel is located about a 20-minute walk from the town centre. Despite this, good bus links can take you to the gondola stations so you can access the tallest peaks with ease, or equally you can take the long route up the mountain on foot if you so desire. I think the photos will show you all you need to understand why I fell in love with this place.
3. Alice Secret Travellers Inn
You know when you stay somewhere so awful it negatively impacts your perception of the entire place? Staying here was the opposite experience of that. This hostel didn’t just complement my experience of Alice Springs, it elevated it, the tranquillity here transcended into the surrounding town.
While not as typically remote as the other two hostels due to its location being inside of a town, this one is rural in a different sense. Alice Springs marks the very centre of Australia and is surrounded by desert and uninhabited land, roughly 1,500km from Darwin or Adelaide, the next closest towns. In the middle of this isolation, the hostel felt like an oasis. Imagine warm sun, blue skies, cockatoos flying overhead, hammocks, fairy lights, wall art, not to mention the beautifully maintained garden and swimming pool. This was a fairy house in the Australian outback. Alongside the beautiful outdoor space you also had cosy corners and quiet hideaways to retreat into, they were equally magical.
Visiting in the winter is advisable if you want to hike as the temperatures are only manageable during this time. Here, there are so many opportunities to get outside and explore the vast wilderness that the Australia has to offer. At this hostel I met a few people preparing to start the Larapinta trail, which is a 200km long-distance hiking route, starting in Alice Springs. It’s supposed to be one of the top 20 treks in the world due to the dramatic landscapes of the red centre and its cultural significance. This hostel also serves as a hub to start tours to Uluru and Kings Canyon, which in my opinion are two of the best places in the whole of Australia. If you’re looking for an authentic experience or to witness a different side of Australia to the coastline and cities, this is where you need to go.
As a side note, I do remember the walls in my dorm room being painted neon green, possibly with matching sheets- and yes, I did have to evacuate a spider.
I think we’ve all realised by now that my idea of a ‘perfect’ hostel might look entirely different to someone else’s. Exercise caution when following my advice and I will leave you to make your own informed decision. But if you’re someone who values nature, community, and a bit of character over polish, then I think you’ll find something special in each of these recommendations.
Happy hostelling.
Peace and love, e xxx