“Oh, maybe I am too old to stay in a hostel. I am 35!”
“Hostels are too messy and not so clean.”
“Where do I leave my valuables in the hostel, when I am out on the beach all day?”

These and so many other fascinating things we hear when someone mentions about putting up in a hostel while traveling. Hostels as a concept may be European, and to us, in India, may have been restricted to boarding schools or colleges but globally hostels have gained popularity as an economical and interesting place to stay while traveling. Yes, we said interesting!

While staying in a hostel, you not only get to meet new people from all walks of life, but you also get to understand the city better, get valuable travel tips from fellow travelers and above all, you get to know your mettle too.

Here are a few ideas around hostels which are wrongly perceived, and these myths need to be debunked before you lose out on another wonderful opportunity to experience it.

1. Myth: Hostels are only for solo travelers or backpackers

Image Source: Flickr @baranclesdublingalway

Fact: False. This is one of the most common myths among people. It may be a popular accommodation amongst solo travelers and backpackers, but go to a hostel and you will be pleasantly surprised to meet a number of couples sharing a bunk bed and a group of friends sharing an eight-bed dorm.

Increasingly people are realizing that staying in a hostel not just sits easy on the wallet but it also is a great way to meet new people. And when travel is a lifestyle to you, you won’t always want to put up in a boutique hotel or a homestay.

2. Myth: Hostels are not that safe

Image Source: Flickr @Hostel_Lockers

Fact: That’s not true. Hostels are as safe as staying in a hotel or anywhere else. Outsiders are not allowed in the rooms, and some hostels also have CCTV cameras in the common areas and entrances to keep a watch.

If you fear for your belongings, worry not. The people you meet in your dorm are just simple travelers like you. You will see most people treat it like their own room; things like a moisturizer or a fleece jacket or daypack can be seen lying all around. Plus, almost all hostels provide lockers or small cupboards with locks for you to store your precious essentials.

3. Myth: Hostels are not the option if you are a solo female traveler

Fact: Most of the hostels have ‘women-only’ dorms too. And even when they don’t have, the mixed dorms are just as safe too. These are buzzing with activities, and have an interesting mix of travelers from different places with different stories. In fact, they are safer than the lonely alleys of a hotel room.

4. Myth: Hostels are disorganized and unkempt

Image Source: Flickr @nest_hostels_valencia

Fact: Hostels usually have a dedicated cleaning staff - they change the linen pretty regularly and common areas and washrooms etc. are cleaned every day. They have well-equipped kitchens too. Remember, this is their work, their bread and butter. Like big hotel chains, they too take it very seriously. So, hostels, the poor cousins of hotels are far from filthy. You will be surprised by the art, design and care gone in to making some hostels.

5. Myth: Hostels are for the ‘young at heart’, like literally!

Image Source: Flickr @baranclesdublingalway

Fact: Of course not. Sure there are ‘gap year’ students out traveling to see the world, but you will also find the ones who are ‘on a career break’ or the ones in the ‘figuring out my life’ phase or even the ones who will forever be 40! Nowhere but here will you understand the true meaning of the phrase ‘age is just a number after all’.

6. Myth: Hostels is a very ‘international’ concept

Fact: Of course it’s false. Many Indians, who know what traveling is all about, are building hostels and settling down in a city they have grown close to. From relaxing beach state of Goa to gorgeous hill state of Himachal Pradesh, you will find more and more people coming up with the idea of opening hostels. There are young entrepreneurs starting chain of hostels across cities like a hotel chain. Know why? Because increasingly, we Indians are opening up to the idea of traveling and nothing defines the travel experience more than staying in a hostel.

7. Myth: Hostels are only for those who love to be on their own

Image Source: Flickr @Aaron_Ray

Fact: Yes, hostels have kitchens where you prepare your own meals, you have to lug your own stuff to your room and you may have to do your laundry too. In a lot of ways, hostels do teach you to be more independent, but most hostels also provide facilities for a little charge to the ones who want to delegate these tasks.

8. Myth: Hostels lack the ‘required staff’ to take care of you

Fact: Of course, you won’t find a room service, a valet parking, a concierge service or prim and proper front desk team. Instead, you will walk in to a really cool, chilled-out owner or manager who will make sure you are comfortable during your stay, will dole out helpful suggestions on what to see and where to go. He will share a beer with you in the evening bon-fire and will also share amazing stories over breakfast. Now what can be more amiable?

9. Myth: Hostels are isolated places in the isolated corners of the city

Image Source: Flickr @baranclesdublingalway

Fact: Unlike many hotels that are on the outskirts of a city, you will find most of the hostels bang in the city, close to supermarkets, eating joints, a bus stop and of course, city attractions too. When you are in a hostel, you are not far from the activities happening in and around the city, believe us!

10. Myth: Hostels are only about booze, drugs, weird crowd, parties, the works

Image Source: Flickr @Chris_Ford

Fact: Now, there will surely be hostels that will have alcohol, may be drugs, loud music, parties happening almost every day. If you like all that, well, go ahead and book a bunk there. And if not, look around and research a little, not every hostel is a party central. And even in a party central place, you will always find quiet zones. Make your choice.

11. Myth: Hostels are only about ‘bunk beds’ and those are uncomfortable

Fact: That used to be. Now, many hostels also provide private rooms with attached bathrooms just as good as a hotel room. So, you have the privacy of a room, along with little pleasures like TV, board games and other common room activities to indulge in, we bet you won’t even realize you are in a hostel!

Now, that some myths have shattered, go ahead and book your next stay in a hostel. That is where you meet new friends, make new stories and that is how you really travel.

Naina Madan

From CA to advertising to writing, life has been a true roller-coaster ride. Not that I mind it. When not figuring out how to earn money to finance the travel, coffee and books, I am day-dreaming the travel, the coffee smell and virtually sniffing through new released books.

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