hostel

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers inexpensive supervised lodging (especially for youths on bicycling trips)

For the 2005 horror film, see Hostel (film). .]]Hostels (or youth hostels) provide short-term lodgingaccommodation to travelers, particularly encouraging outdoor activities and cultural exchange for the young. In certain parts of the world, hostels are commonly called Backpacking (travel)backpackers, particularly in Australia and New Zealand.In a hostel guests rent a bed (furniture)bed (sometimes a bunk bed) in a dormitory and share common bathroom, kitchen, and lounge rooms. Private rooms are often available. The main benefit of a hostel is that one gets to meet other travelers from all over the world. Hostels are usually less formal and less expensive than hotels. They are most frequently used by young travelers. In the past many hostels had imposed age limits, but today it's more common for hostels to accept guests of all ages. , Mexico.]]Hostels provide opportunity for multicultural enlightenment. There is more interaction between guests than in traditional hotels, and many hostels provide activities to their guests for free or at low cost. There are some potential drawbacks to using hostels, although most are the same as drawbacks that you could find at many hotels. Theft can be a problem since guests share a common living space, but this can be prevented by locking belongings up. Most hostels offer some sort of system for safely storing your valuables, and many offer private lockers. One potential drawback to staying in hostels is difficulty sleeping because of noise, whether from snoring or someone returning to the room late in the evening. For this reason, some hostels associations fix reasonable times for last admission and lights out, and people who find it necessary use earplugs.Traditionally hostels kept costs down by getting guests to help with chores, though this has become less common. Many hostels employ their long-term residents as desk clerks in exchange for free housing.Many hostels belong to Hostelling International (HI), a nonprofit organization composed of more than 90 associations representing about 4000 hostels in over 80 countries. Hostelling International was formerly called the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF). There are also several other smaller hostel associations and chains. Nowadays, there are as many if not more private hostels than HI ones. These often have bars and many of them have very high standards offering twin and double rooms as well as dorms. Private hostels don't tend to have as many rules as the HI ones.

History - In 1912 in Altena, Germany, Richard Schirrmann created the first permanent youth hostel. It was inside Altena castle which was then recently reconstructed. The old rooms are on display now, as the youth hostel is in new rooms now, but still inside the castle grounds.

See also -

Hostelling International

Youth Hostels Association

Scottish Youth Hostels Association

List of types of lodging

Hospitality service, alternative to hostels

External links -

flickr.com - Flickr: Photos tagged with hostel, photos likely of hostelsCategory:Hotel !typesda:Vandrerhjemde:Jugendhe rbergefr:Auberge? de !jeunessehe:אכסנייהnl:Je ugdherbergja:ユースホス� �ルno:Vandrerhjemnn:Vandrarhe impl:Hostelru:Хостелzh:� ��年旅舍

hotel de Stoppelberg
hotel beautiful situatied in the middle of the woods just outside the little village Beekbergen in the heart of the Veluwe.
http://www.de-stoppelberg.nl/

B&B U Oty
OTA'S HOUSE Nonsmoking B&B in Prague offering a family atmosphere Owner Mr.Ota Janák The house is situated in Prague 5 near Metro (subway) station Radlická - (approximately 400 metres to West). Double room costs 26 Euro per night including breakfast. Free secure parking available in the garden behind the house. Free Internet access in all rooms! The house is entirely nonsmoking, but smokers may smoke in the garden.
http://www.bbuoty.cz/

Petersburg Hostel
Cheap hostel in the center of St. Petersburg, Russia
http://www.petersburg-hostel.com/

Pension Villa Basileia
Accommodation in centrum of Karlovy Vary
http://www.villabasileia.cz/

Hostel Internacional Malargüe. ECOHOSTEL
In front of an exceptional panoramic view of the Andes mountains.Hostel in North of Patagonia, south of Mendoza Province, Argentina, Southamerica. 75km from Las Leñas ski center. Four beds dorms with private bathrooms. Homemade breakfast. Kitchen facilities for guests. TV, video, DVD and many ecotourism activities like hiking, trekking, mountain biking, flyfishing, birdwatching, and much more! 5km outside the small city of Malargüe, situated in a rural environment. Organic farm. Friendly atmosphere. Offers a lot of activities to enjoy nature, to practice adventure sports or it is simply your place to relax. We meet the regulations of International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) to do with customer reception and service, safety, hygiene and privacy which are guaranteed by this organization. There is no age limit to be our guest!
http://www.hostelmalargue.net/

Faronhof B&B - Venice
Family run Bed and breakfast close to the center of Venice, Italy. Services offered are Sat TV, FREE internet access, free bike hire and of course great service.
http://www.faronhof.com/

Premier Hostel Singapore
The largest bed and breakfast in Singapore. cheap beds and rooms
http://www.summertavern.com/

Work in Australia, Travel Australia, Study in Australia
Work in Australia, Travel Australia, Study in Australia
http://www.study-travel-work-australia.com/

Tallinn Hotels
Tallinn lodging guide from cheap to luxury, online reservation, photos, descriptions and city map.
http://www,tallinntravel.com/

Ring Hostel a crazy cozy hostel on Isle of Ischia
The Ring Hostel is a perfect gateway. Ten minute walk to beautiful beaches. The Hostel offers private rooms for 1 to 4 people with or without an ensuite bathroom as well as dorm rooms for 4, 6, and 8 or 12 people with or without ensuite bathrooms as well. Huge common area with with a fully equiped kitchen, Satellite TV, Free Internet access, X-Box, dvd player with english movies and a bar. Bar crawls and hotspring night parties are available too. As this is an indipendent youth hostel there is no age limit, no curfew and a YHA is not required. Bed linen, towels, FREE breakfast, delph, cutlery, washing machine, FREE internet, FREE lockers, FREE kitchen, Big common terrace and roof garden, tv room with english DVD and librery. Discount for disco and meal tickets from 3 euro and bonus discount for thermal garden and spa. There are day trips to Capri, Pompei and the Amalfi Coast. Moped or car rental available at discount price.
http://www.ringhostel.com/

Astoria Hotel Belgium
With its 18 rooms, ranging from standard room to luxurious rooms, Hotel Astoria offers you the perfect choice for a most pleasant stay.Soon after your arrival, you will experience the kindness and family-feeling of our fully refurbished hotel. We guarantee the best service with eye for detail - e.g. lots of information about our city in all its aspects - in order to give you the feeling of Welcome Home.You can stay connected to your other Home Sweet Home as our hotel offers Wireless Broadband Internet Access in the lobby and all guest rooms.You may like to enjoy a drink in our cosy bar or choose to relax in our salon. In the morning we invite you to try our extensive breakfast buffet in the breakfast room or in the winter garden.For residential seminars or workshops our meeting-room is at your disposal.(max. 20 persons) We also offer our guest cosy garden with free and private parking facilities. There is also the possibility to use a garage. (4,00 EUR/night)
http://www.astoria.be

Turismo Aonikenk - Adventures made in Patagonia
Turismo Aonikenk is an incoming tour operator specializing in adventure and discovery travel in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego (Chile and Argentina).
http://www.aonikenk.com/

North Cornwall Accommodation
Quality Accommodation Providers in North Cornwall
http://www.north-cornwall-accommodation.com/

Giorgio's House
The Only Bed and Breakfast with Free Entertainment in Palermo and Sicily .Discover Palermo and Sicily with us
http://www.giorgioshouse.com/

Inn the Tropics Backpacker Hostel
Welcome to Inn the Tropics in Cairns where we provide first class budget accommodation in Tropical North Queensland. If you are looking for reasonably priced Cairns Backpacker or Cairns Hostel style accommodation located just five minutes from the heart of the Cairns City Centre and the departure point for The Great Barrier Reef, look no further! Inn the Tropics Cairns Backpacker Hostel has all that you need and more for your Cairns, Tropical North Queensland Experience!!!
http://www.innthetropics.com/

Backpackers24 - Hostel reservation service
One of the premier sites for hostelling and lodging in all mayor cities. More than 10,000 youth hostels, guesthouses and apartments around the planet. Also we offer hotels with lowest rates.
http://www.backpackers24.com/

Christian youth hostels worldwide
Christian ministries to travelers and Chrisitan hostels.
http://www.christianyouthhostels.com/

The Lef-Eriksson hostel in Qassiarsuk, Greenland
The Leif-Eriksson hostel is right on the centre of Qassiarsuk, besides the harbour and the supermarket, and just below the statue of Leif Eriksson, a charming place, right in front of the fiord, with stunning views of mountains, icebergs and glaciers.
http://www.qassiarsuk.com/

Youth Hostel Ministry Amsterdam
Missions in Amsterdam: reaching Europe and the world. 30,000 travelers - 30,000 chances for the Gospel
http://www.youthhostelministry.org

Wild in Scotland Tours
Fun, friendly and active tours for young independent travellers. Visiting the Highlands and Islands of Scotland in small groups.
http://www.wild-in-scotland.com/

Malta Accommodation
Malta Accommodation: We have carefully compiled a directory of accommodation in Malta, including Malta Self-Catering Accommodation, Malta Hotels, Malta Hostels, Malta Student Accommodation, Malta Guest Houses & Malta Aparthotels. Book your Malta accommodation in Malta & Gozo direct.
http://www.maltaholidaysdirect.com/

Hostels.com - The Internet Guide to Hostelling
Still a premier site for hostelling and budget travel information. NOW part of the HostelWorld.com Group (Web Reservations International)and undergoing changes.
http://www.hostels.com

Elderhostel
Provides adventures for older adults through educational travel programs throughout the world.
http://www.elderhostel.org/

International Youth Hostel Federation
Information on hostels worldwide, bookings, and travel news.
http://www.iyhf.org/

Jugendherbergen auf Island
Englische/Isländische Website des Jugendherbergswerks, es gibt aber auch deutschprachige Informationshefte zum Download. Sehr guter Startpunkt für Reiseinformationen aller Art, über Unterkünfte und Tipps zur Ausrüstung bis hin zu Busfahrplänen.
http://www.hostel.is/

Hostel World
Information and on-line bookings at well over 2500 hostels, budget hotels and backpacker accommodation and adventure establishments in Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South America, South Africa, Asia and Canada
http://www.hostelworld.com