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Having champagne taste on a beer budget doesn't work in every situation, but in the case of travel accommodations, you don't have to act your wage when staying in a new city. Hostels have always been a must for backpackers throughout the world because if you can scrape up a few dollars, you'll have a place to lay your head at night and a priceless opportunity to meet an insane amount of amazing people. The problem is that most hostels are crowded, hectic, and some don't score very high on the cleanliness scale. At the opposite end of the spectrum, plenty of amazing hotels and resorts will gladly take your money to enjoy their luxe accommodations, but after you've spent that dough on your flight, there isn't much change to put towards a three-digit per night hotel room.
Luckily for the budget traveler, boutique hostels exists all over the world, so you can still collect those passport stamps as often as you'd like. These luxury hostels provide guests with all of the amazing amenities of more expensive hotels at costs much more friendly to the young traveler who still has to pay back college loans during his gap year continent hopping. From treehouse resorts in Fiji, to centuries old mansions in Israel, we present to you with The 15 Most Awesome Hostels Around the World.
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15. Blue Hostel
Location: Rome, Italy
Cost: from $66/night
Website: bluehostel.it
Yes, being a former 17th century convent located so close to the Colosseum is impressive. Having a minibar in each room is convenient and greatly appreciated. Very quiet and peaceful, this is the perfect place to stay to escape the throngs of daily tourists to Rome, as every room faces the private courtyard. With all of these amazing features, what makes Blue Hostel stand out among others in Rome? You receive four pillows per bed. Yes, that's right. While most other places expect you to get by with one or two flat pillows, Blue Hostel knows that you deserve to be comfortable. Afterall, you can't walk to Termini Square and the Colosseum from the hostel if you wake up with a stiff neck. Blue Hostel is classified as a hostel because of the affordable prices, however, in this case, you don't get what you pay for—you get so much more.
14. Daddy Long Legs
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Cost: from $58/night
Website: daddylonglegs.co.za
Coined as an "alternative hotel experience," Daddy Long Legs provides its guests with a quirky and artsy experience. Each of the 13 rooms have a completely different vibe as they were designed by a different local artist. The "Photo Booth" room, designed by Antony Smyth, features 3,240 portraits of people around Cape Town. Artist Kim Stern transformed Room Number 13 of the hostel into the "Please Do Not Disturb" room—a studio/stage/bedroom equipped with 5 microphones for you to use. One of those mics is located in the shower, so all you shower crooners, be prepared to hear how you really sound. Whenever you've managed to tear yourself away from the art exhibit that is your room, entertain yourself with some diving, hiking, or horseback riding nearby.
13. Uprising Beach Resort
Location: Pacific Harbour, Fiji
Cost: from $22/night
Website: uprisingbeachresort.com
As soon as you arrive at Uprising Beach Resort, put down your bags, pull out your phone, connect to the WiFi, film a 15-second clip of your surroundings and upload the video to all of your social networking platforms. Your friends and followers will be jealous. They'll be extra mad when you inform them that you're spending some time in Fiji, right on a 2-mile stretch of sandy beach, in a treehouse, and your stay at this resort was less than $30 a night. Yeah, some folks will be vexed that they weren't hip to the Uprising Beach Resort's authentically Fijian experience before you, but eventually they'll be grateful that you put them on game. Try not to throw the jet ski safari and shark diving adventures in their face, though.
12. Budget Backpackers
Location: Edingburgh, Scotland
Cost: from $13/night
Website: budgetbackpackers.com
The Budget Backpackers Hostel, ranked #1 hostel in Scotland last year, is the only place to stay in Edinburgh if you want to get the most out of your trip. Historical sites, entertainment spots, and public transportation are all just a hop away from the hostel. Inside of Budget Backpackers, you'll find a fully-equipped kitchen that you're free to use to prepare your own grub. If you're a solo traveler, you won't have any difficulty making connections here. There are weekly game nights, free city tours, and free pub crawls, so there will always be a group of people to hang out with once you're done roaming the city by yourself.
11. Freehand Miami
Location: Miami, FL
Cost: from $16/night
Website: thefreehand.com
Miami is often known for its blatant, but entertaining, showcasing of debauchery, so for a guest to refer to this Miami hostel as "heaven" speaks volumes. For those of you who loved summer camp as a kid and want to go back to the good ol' days of making best friends with strangers you met less than 24 hours ago, Freehand Miami will recreate that vibe for you in a more grown-up way. You won't have a counselor dictating your daily activity schedule to you, but in case you failed to do any research prior to touching down in Miami, the staff at Freehand have carefully curated a bunch of itineries to fulfill your recreational desires. The beach is only a block away, there are more than enough on-site activities to keep you occupied, and the sense of community the owners and staff maintain will create a "home away from home" experience.
10. Palmers Lodge - Swiss Cottage
Location: London, England
Cost: from $27/night
Website: palmerslodges.com
Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage is a recently renovated Victorian Grade II listed building located in Central London that provides its guests with exceptional service. From laundry facilites and a self-service kitchen to conservatory rooms and lounge areas, there aren't too many amenities that the Swiss Cottage doesn't provide. The staff has been recognized on numerous occassions for the outstanding job that they do and it can only be attributed to one thing—they keep you fed. There is a free full breakfast available daily as well as an on-site restaurant. If you have specific dietary needs, tell the chefs and they'll hook you up. Traveled with a group and need some munchies during the day while you're exploring the city? Packed lunches are available. You're sure to get the royal treatment at Swiss Cottage, but after a 31-day stay, they'll cut you off and send you on your way. All good things must come to an end.
9. Fauzi Azar Inn
Location: Nazareth, Israel
Cost: from $25/night
Website: fauziazarinn.com
You don't have to be making Arab money to spend the night in this 200 year old Arab mansion near some of the most important sites in religious history. Wake up and enjoy a traditional Arab breakfast that you don't have to pay extra for and munch on free cakes and fresh fruits throughout the day. With multiple common areas designed to create a warm, peaceful atmosphere for guests, this may not be the place for you to stay if your primary objective is to party until dawn. However, for the history buff travelers who want to walk where Jesus walked, the "Jesus Trail" tour begins at Fazui Azar. After winning several awards for best guesthouse in the area, the Fauzi Azar Inn is the go-to spot for accommodations in the Galilee.
8. Plus Berlin
Location: Berlin, Germany
Cost: from $15/night
Website: plushostels.com
Plus Berlin is for the posh backpacker who wants to journey through the city one step at a time. From this hostel, you can walk to the city's most famous party spots, see the longest stretch of the former Berlin wall, and learn about the city's rich history at the various nearby attractions. Once you've had enough of the self-guided walking tours you planned for yourself, take a dip in Plus Berlin's indoor swimming pool, sit in the sauna, or just hang out in the garden. You can keep busy playing foosball and Wii in the common area, as well. The staff are available 24 hours a day to answer questions, make suggestions, or just chat. Dorm room style accomodations are not for everyone, but at Plus Berlin you have options. Stay in one of their hotel rooms or apartments if you need a bit more space.
7. Adler Hostel
Location: Chinatown, Singapore
Cost: from $44/night
Website: adlerhostel.com
Singapore isn't the cheapest country in Asia to visit, but with an excellent option like Adler Hostel, you can definitely accomplish a budget-friendly trip. Adler Hostel isn't even a year old and it's already considered one of the best luxury hostels in the world. Anyone who needs some time to unwind and relax will love staying at this Chinatown gem. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with a welcome drink, and if you need them, a free set of ear plugs. Though the rooms are shared dorms, your privacy is important here, so just pull the "black out" curtain and close the space to your personal cabin as you recover from the inevitable jetlag. When you're up for it, get the special Adler Hostel discount and experience some of the local attractions and clubs with a few extra dollars in your pocket.
6. Equity Point Marrakech
Location: Marrakech, Morrocco
Cost: from $13/night
Website: equity-point.com
Turn your dream trip to Northern Africa into a reality with a stay at Equity Point in Marrakech. The impeccably designed interior creates an atmosphere of elegance and opulence that will convince you that you managed to book a stay at a resort for less than $20 a night. View the city of Marrakech at amazing heights on the rooftop terrace and as long as the season permits, cool off in the swimming pool during the day. This spa hostel offers massage services and beautiful, sanctuary-like common areas where you can sit and converse or do absolutely nothing and relish the silence.
5. #bunk
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Cost: from $20/night
Website: bunkhostels.com
You can't even type out the name of this hostel without it automatically trending. #bunk defines what it means to be a trendy and fun hostel for young travelers. With an extreme emphasis on style, all dorm rooms have an "all white everything" theme, but when you look up to the sky to thank the travel gods that they've brought you to such an amazing place, you'll see the intricately designed ceilings inspired by those you'd find in mosques. After you've made it out of your room, feel free to kick it in the hot tub on the terrace, be lazy on the sunbathing decks, or get loose at the on-site bar.
4. ONE80 Hostel - AlexanderPlatz
Location: Berlin, Germany
Cost: from $19/night
Website: one80hostels.com
Technically, it is classified as a hostel due to its dorm-style rooms, but those who've stay at ONE80 know that "hip hotel" is a more accurate description. The modern decor featuring local artists' work is nothing like your old college dorm and the in-house club with resident DJs spinning nightly certainly isn't commonplace for the not so hip hostels. For those of you who are masters at taking selfies, snap some headshots in the Fotobooth and share them with everyone back home after the images have been uploaded onto the ONE80 website. Performance artists, dancers, and musicians may be able to save a few Euros while in Berlin. The "Trade Bed 4 Gigs" programs allows you to stay at the hostel for 2-3 days if you play one gig. You and your band get to play your first international gig in Berlin and you didn't pay for a hotel? That's a pretty sweet deal.
3. The Independente
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Cost: from $18/night
Website: theindependente.pt
Near the trendy Bairro Alto district of Lisbon sits this 11-room, 90-bed luxury hostel where travellers and locals meet, mingle, and share their experiences over fine Portuguese cuisine. Many hostels cater mostly to travelers visiting the country for the first time, but The Independente stands out from the rest by encouraging interaction between newcomers to Portugal who still haven't mastered a simple "Bom dia!" to the native Lisboeta. The hostel restaurant, The Decandente, serves dishes made from locally sourced produce, so you know your food hasn't traveled the same distance as you. Every dorm room at The Independente features a private seating area where you can break away from the solitude of your top bunk bed and converse with your temporary roommates. However, if you go to Portugal for some alone time, stay in one of the four private suites which have balconies overlooking the Tagus River.
2. Cocomama
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cost: from $42/night
Website: cocmama.nl
Backpackers and young travelers love Amsterdam mainly because it seems as though nothing is off limits there. Folks touch down in the city and want to experience every last thing it has to offer, but when it's finally time to sit down and unwind, the smart visitors settle in at Cocomama. Voted the best hostel in the Netherlands at the Hoscars three years in a row, this boutique hostel was once home to the city's most popular brothel. If that isn't enough to get you to rest your head here, than consider the relaxation time you can spend in the large backyard or the friendly house cat, Joop, that chills in the common area or the "Red Light District" themed rooms. Above all, the Cocomama staff want to ensure that you love their city just as much as they do, so feel free to hit them up and ask for a local experience to escape the tourists who are just in the city to openly smoke blunts.
1. Reggae Mansion
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Cost: from $13/night
Website: reggaehostelsmalaysia.com
Don't want to spend your vacation in Malaysia partying the entire time? Well, we suggest you find a hostel other than Reggae Mansion. Located in party central Chinatown, Reggae Mansion caters to the crowd that wants to experience Kuala Lumpur's nightlife culture. If you're looking for a great time, head up to the rooftop skybar and see the city's skyscrapers while you two-step and drink some cocktails. Don't worry about bumping into older folks by the bar—people over the age of 50 aren't allowed to stay at Reggae Mansion. Once you've finally made it back to your dorm, rest up in the pod-style beds or for you fancy types who need more privacy, watch some shows on the LCD TV in a private room. When the sun comes up, enjoy some free breakfast and go hang out in the courtyard or watch a movie in the 40-seat cinema. Once the sun goes down, prepare to party all over again.