Are you planning a budget trip and looking for an affordable stay? It is the right time to delve into Hotel vs. Hostel. Discussing the key difference between two major stays help you choose the best option under your budget.
When planning a trip, finding the right accommodation is the most challenging and time-consuming job. While several options are available depending on the location, hotels are the most overrated. Most people prefer hotels over guest houses and resorts because they are renowned for luxury & comfort and are easily available. Hostels are an underrated accommodation option but worth considering. However, the best accommodations completely depend on different factors, such as the budget, requirements, and the place you are travelling to.
It might be difficult for the travellers to choose the one until they do not know the key difference between them. Therefore, we bring hotel vs. hostel to understand them better and help you choose the best accommodation. Read the blog till the end to make the better choice.
What is a hotel?
Hotels are considered luxurious stays, often preferred by travellers looking for luxurious, comfortable, and personalised services. It offers short stays mainly for business trips, families, and couples. In hotels, a visitor gets a private bedroom with an attached bathroom along with luxury amenities, such as a TV, coffee maker, hair dryer, ironing board, chair, table and sofa. All these amenities basically depend on the hotel type you choose; however, most budget hotels offer good facilities. Slightly high-end rooms have a mini fridge, microwave and several other electronic appliances.
Apart from this, most premium hotels also offer additional facilities such as pools, hot tubs, and spas. Some hotels have gyms and fitness centres for customers to relax and exercise. Many hotels also have bars and restaurant services to enjoy a party with friends or family. There are also tennis courts, basketball courts, a golf course, a conference room, and several other facilities to make it comfortable for visitors.
While discussing hotel vs. hostel, let’s talk about hostels.
What is a hostel?
A hostel is a type of shared accommodation suitable for low-budget travellers. It is popular among backpackers, gap year travellers, budget travellers, students, solo travellers, bicycle tourists, long-term tourists and many more. Hostel rooms often come with bunk or multiple single beds in one room. A typical hostel dorm has 4-10 beds, and large rooms may contain 12-20 beds. Generally, the more beds in one room, the lower the price per bed.
Apart from this, hostels may be of different types; Boys Hostels, Girls Hostels and Coliving Hostels. There is one bathroom in one dorm room, which all members of the room use. Or there is a shared bathroom in a hostel for all hostel members. Sometimes there are large bathrooms with multiple shower stalls and private toilets for individual use or one bathroom with an attached toilet.
If we talk about one major hostel and hotel difference, it is their facilities. The hostel services can not be personalised like a hotel. This is one major point in a hotel vs. hostel that separates hotels from hostels. However you can get a private room if you need it and there is availability, but at extra charges, still less than hotel prices. There is a mess where one-food-for-all is prepared. Many hostels have shared kitchens where you can bring your food and can also cook your own meal.
There are also shared refrigerators, washing machines, microwaves, TV and other items that all can use without extra charges (which might include in the cost itself).
If you are looking for a hotel vs. hostel to choose the best accommodation for the next trip, read the key difference mentioned below to make a better decision.
Which is better, the hotel or hostel?
Let’s keep it simple and clear; your choice depends on your budget and requirements. Look at the factors you need to consider for choosing the best accommodation.
- Privacy
Well, hotels are often known for offering private rooms, but some hostels can also provide private rooms on special demand. However, hotel rooms can be more expensive than hostel rooms and may offer fewer facilities, so the choice depends on your budget and requirements.
2. Budget
When it comes to hotel vs. hostel, we can not miss the budget to discuss. Hotel rooms come with privacy, luxury amenities, personalised services and other additional facilities, but hostel rooms are ordinary with sharing items, so they are more affordable than hotel rooms.
3. Amenities & Facilities
One major hostel and hotel difference is the amenities and facilities. Hotel rooms are all well-furnished with high-end furniture, electronic items and extra facilities like saunas that make your stay comfortable and more luxurious. On the other hand, the hostel has sharing items.
4. Freedom
The next point on hotel vs. hostel is freedom. Hostel rooms have restrictions like no midnight parties, entry and exit after a certain time, and sometimes alcohol is also banned. But there is nothing like this with the hotel rooms. So your choice will depend on your requirement.
5. Number of choices
The options for hotels are more than hostels. Further, it depends on the destination you are travelling to. So search for the hotels and hostels for the place and choose the best after comparing their facilities and prices.
So, Hotel vs. hostel, which is the best?
Being a traveller, you need to think about several things; your budget, requirements and personality. However, a great thing about travel is you don’t have to restrict yourself. You can stay in a hotel for some time and then shift to a hostel according to your choice. If you need some privacy along with luxury, choose a hotel, and if you easily jell up with new people and want to meet new people, stay in a hostel.
Regarding hotel vs. hostel, the points mentioned above help you choose the best accommodation for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the hotel and hostel the same?
The only similarity between hotels and hostels is they are accommodations. Otherwise, from the facilities to the services, hotels and hostels are different.
Is it better to stay in a hostel?
Hostels are more budget-friendly than hotels. So if you are on a low-budget travel and looking for affordable accommodation, hostels are good and safe to stay.
Is there any disadvantage to staying in a hostel on vacation?
Hostels can not offer privacy like hotels. There are common washrooms, shared spaces to eat and cook, noisy corridors and fewer amenities.
Are hotels expensive?
The price typically depends on the facilities and the location, but hostels are generally less expensive than hotel rooms.
Why choose hotels?
Hostels are affordable accommodations for travellers. Since they are sharing, you can meet new people from different people. You also get the opportunity to learn new things from new people.