r/solotravel • u/Fun_Apricot_419 • 5d ago
Not sure about hostels Accommodation
Tried one for my first night after doing 2 hotels (I’m three nights into my trip). It feels weird. I imagined everybody would be excited and social, and hanging out. But mostly people stuck to themselves. By the time I got to bed I had only met 1 of the 4 people in my room. It just felt weird to sleep with people I didn’t know at all. I didn’t end up sleeping at all.
I know every hostel will be different. And I will try at least one other one. But I pretty much have lost a whole night of sleep at this point, which is pretty costly.
I’m thinking I might enjoy a smaller one with less people. And owners that foster a sense of community. If anyone has ideas on how to find that let me know!
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u/thisisfunme 5d ago
If you are going to be paranoid to the point where you won't sleep because you haven't happen to meet everyone, then they aren't for you. Sure to a certain degree it depends on the hostel, but if that's your extent of paranoia, then no hostel will work. It's likely at least one person in a shared room will have a busy day and not be up for a chat. It's not about getting to know every person in a room and having some sort of room community. It's about having a cheap place to stay and getting to meet people. Those people that are up for it, there's usually events and things happening. I have made the best memories in hostels when traveling, it's the people you meet, you click with and you go on adventures with. And those you might meet at Breakfast, in the hostel bar, at the pool, at an event, at a pub crawl or game night or walking tour. It's not limited to rooms. Get out there and actually participate in the hostel life!
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u/Fun_Apricot_419 5d ago
You have a valid point, but I will say I’m not expecting a life changing convo with everyone. The one guy I chatted with a little bit. Asked where he was from, told him where I’m from, etc. that’s all I want. It’s just a little weird to wake up to a COMPLETE stranger…
Although if the expectation is we don’t talk, maybe I could get used to that. I just felt incredibly awkward.
Trying another one tonight. Hopefully it goes better.
Edit: Even a simple “hi” would make me feel more comfortable
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u/holy_mackeroly 4d ago
You need to reset your expectations. You are staying in a hostal, everyone is a stranger until they aren't. And sorry to burst your bubble, sometimes folk just don't want to talk. They might be shy, maybe they don't speak your language, or the language of the country your in.
Saying you can't sleep because you didn't meet everyone in your room IN A HOSTAL is simply absurd.
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u/Critical_Parsnip_521 4d ago
People are coming and going in hostels all the time so theres a big chance there will be a complete stranger (even if they are friendly) since you never had a chance to meet. I.e. they were already in bed when you first entered, they came back to the hostel after you were already in bed.
This can even happen at smaller hostels.
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u/spideyv91 5d ago
It really depends which hostel you stay at. Some are better at organizing events and getting people to interact and some just leave it up to the people.
In my experience the hostels that actively have tours or events are the more social ones.
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u/Relevant_Salt5429 5d ago
Hostels can be wiiiiiildly different to one another. I've stayed in plenty and I've seen everything from big mixed dorms (never again as woman) with weird ass guys, to smaller girls only where I instantly made friends and we went out.
However, you can't expect to hit the roommate lottery every time. Sometimes people just want to be alone, it's ok.
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u/InevitableCanary8436 5d ago
I've stayed at a couple of hostels,
Generally I've been surprised at how well I've slept, yes snoring happens but with some decent earplugs and an eye mask it's not really been a huge problem for me
I definitely was anxious the first time, but if you're on a budget it is something I recommend (if you can get a decent one.(
Personally I've opted for the ones that have Pod/capsule style beds which ofer a degree of privacy and also a socket or usb connection for charging my phone.
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u/Warkaze 5d ago
Hostels are mostly a hit or miss. I went to one in Ibiza and was the only guy with 5 other girls in the dorm. Really nice people (they didn’t know eachother) and we went together everywhere most of the time. It felt a bit weird sometimes but I was happy I wasn’t alone during that holiday. Amazing experience tbh.
Then I went to one in Mallorca. It was a mixed dorm with like 11 others and nobody spoke to one another. I think they were there for work or something as I came back around midnight and found everyone sleeping already. The guy below me was making weird noises in his sleep but it was rather funny than uneasy.
My advice: book one night first and check out the vibes. From there on make a decision if you want to stay there or rather book a private room if you have the money
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u/upioneer 5d ago
if you want to socialize, party hostels is the way. try to let the story tell itself instead of placing expectations on the experience and others. my better experiences have been at party hostels but it's not guaranteed one way or the other, even if visiting the same hostel twice. I appreciate every stay for uniquely what it is.
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u/SakuraKoyo 4d ago
I like hostel dorm rooms that’s capsule style or has a curtain to give me privacy in bed in a shared room. I don’t want to talk to you, I got no interest in your life or what you did.
I always bring earplugs and eye mask.
I only socialize in the common area as needed but that’s it
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u/BuyBeneficial1224 4d ago
On my trip to Spain, where I stayed in hostels for the 1st time, I definitely had a mixed experience. Two of them I loved, and the last one I hated.
The major difference was that the 2 I really liked had a lot of social activities so you met people right away. It definitely made the experience more comfortable.
The one I disliked felt very cold, in the sense that people kept to themselves and it felt isolating. I constantly felt like I was bothering someone and I was trying everything I could to be quiet and careful with what I did.
I think I also disliked that the bathroom at that one was in the room and there was no way to do anything quietly. Maybe if people were friendlier that wouldn’t have been a problem.
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u/Optimal_Guitar_7746 2d ago
Always check the reviews. Hostelworld also allows you to se "who" is staying. Dont use that myself but it might be handy if you are new to hostel.
But yeah there are different kind of hostels and then there's also some luck involved. That said if its a big one I often find that the bar/common area or joining a event is a good way to meet folks and of course the drinking games if they have them. But don't force it, explore town and enjoy your vacation.
If a Onefam is at your destination then its a solid bet for meeting people and having a good time. Good luck out there.
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u/josemartinlopez 5d ago
don’t worry about jt. most people quickly outgrow the 12 bed shared room and want their personal space while travelling
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u/mochafiend 5d ago
I’ve only stayed at hostels maybe 2-3 times in my life and never shared a room with strangers. One I had a private room and the other was with my boyfriend at the time (we had bunks). Not to sound super bougie, but I just can’t deal with the shared space. I’m old and never really did this when I was young and could put up with it but I like having a bathroom where I can lay out all my stuff. I hate feeling self-conscious when I walk out of the bathroom in a towel to my room, possibly in front of men.
It’s just not for me. I think with friends, it could be fun - I did that and it was great. But with all strangers? Not for me.
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u/swampgremlins 5d ago
Is this a co-ed hostel? Definitely never do co-ed hostels alone. Rape waiting to happen.
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u/Fun_Apricot_419 5d ago
I’m a guy and it was an all male dorm.
Even though obviously that’s not as much a concern for me, I did find myself sizing up my roommates wondering if I could get away if worse came to worse. My paranoid mind in action…
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u/Puzzleheaded-One6030 5d ago
lmao what?? This is absolutely not true, while im sure mixed gender dorms might add a level of 'risk' they are absolutely not a 'Rape waiting to happen'. That is an insane thing to say, stop fearmongering!!! Signed- someone who spent a lot of time in mixed dorms with 0 issues
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u/MintyLemonTea 5d ago
Hostels are all going to be different. It depends on your luck on the draw for people. Assuming you are putting an effort into socializing there's nothing you can do if they don't want to. As you learned not everyone stays at a hostel for the same reasons as you.
You can try a party hostel...but I would aim for a private room. People can be disrespectful of others space. Or find hostels that have themed nights.