The hostel receptionist who told me to stop booking hotels

I was in Lisbon last spring, waiting to check into a hostel, and this guy at the front desk saw my booking confirmation for a hotel I had later that week. He just laughed and said I was throwing away at least 40 euros a night for no reason. He walked me through how hostels in Europe often have private rooms with shared bathrooms for half the cost, and that many of them include free breakfast and walking tours. It hit different because I always assumed hostels meant bunk beds and noise, but I tried his advice in Barcelona a few days later and saved around 90 euros over three nights. Has anyone else discovered a travel hack that completely changed how you book lodging?

2 comments

2 Comments

dakota_king8016d ago

Wait did he say private rooms are usually cheaper or just the ones with shared bathrooms? I've stayed in hostels before but always assumed private rooms would cost like hotel prices.

noah_rivera5716d agoTop Commenter

@dakota_king80 Nah man, it really depends on the place. Some hostels have private rooms with shared bathrooms that are way cheaper than hotels, but not always. I've seen some private rooms go for almost as much as a budget motel, so it's not like a guaranteed deal or anything. You gotta read the fine print (and the reviews) before booking, that's for sure. People act like hostels are always the budget option but honestly it can be hit or miss depending on the city.