Hostel vs. Hotel (It’s NOT Budget vs. Comfort)

Hotels promise privacy, refined amenities, and a formal atmosphere suitable for those seeking comfort and convenience.

Hostels welcome travelers with their social atmosphere and budget-friendly rates.

However, navigating the trade-offs involves balancing privacy and convenience against the appeal of social spaces and budget.

Here is everything you need to know about the differences between a Hotel and a hostel.

Kos One Hostel

9.5

"…It boasts an artificial sand beach, diving platform, swing, day beds, and a pool bar. At Kosonemore

from

$14.60

What is a Hotel?

A hotel is a paid accommodation offering private rooms with amenities like en-suite bathrooms, housekeeping, and various services such as restaurants, pools, and concierge assistance.

What is a Hostel?

A hostel is a budget-friendly accommodation that offers shared dormitory-style rooms and communal spaces designed for social interaction. While some hostels provide private rooms, their main appeal is affordability and a cool atmosphere that encourages meeting other travelers.

The worlds most important hostel websites are:

• Hostelz.com
• Hostelworld.com

Hostel vs Hotel Cost

Below, you’ll find approximate yearly average prices for hostels alongside typical hotel rates to give you a clear idea of what to expect. Actual costs can vary depending on season, location, and room type (dorm vs. private room for hostels; budget vs. luxury for hotels) and it's typical to find wild price variations during high season, specially in popular destinations.

However, the overall percentage difference between hostel and hotel costs tends to remain the same—hostels generally cost significantly less than hotels.

For more price comparison: How much do Hostels cost around the World? Hostel Price Index

Appearance: Hostel vs Hotel

Hotels:

• Polished and Professional: Think of a hotel as the person who always shows up in a suit and tie. Whether it's a budget-friendly hotel or a five-star luxury resort, hotels aim for a clean and professional look.
• Uniform Across Chains: Ever notice how a room in one hotel chain looks similar (or exactly the same) to another in a different city? That's because hotel chains like to keep things consistent.
• Range from Basic to Luxurious: From basic rooms with just the essentials to luxurious suites with chandeliers and marble bathrooms. The design often reflects their star rating and reviews, so you know what you’re getting into.

Hostels:

• Varied: Hostels are like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. Some are modern and minimalist, while others burst with color and character.
• Quirky, Artistic, or Minimalist: Ever wanted to stay in a place that feels like an art gallery or a funky café? Hostels can be quirky and full of surprises. You might find murals on the walls, creative furniture, or even themed rooms.
• Designed for Social Interaction: Common areas in hostels are designed for meeting fellow travelers, playing games, or just chilling out.

Sant Jordi Hostels Rock Palace

8.9

Eixample

"…If you want to discover Barcelona differently, you can rent a bike or a skateboard and ride your more

from

$15.13

Room Types in Hotels vs Hostels

Hotels:

• Standard Rooms: The most common type of hotel rooms, featuring a bed, bathroom, TV, and basic amenities.
• Deluxe Rooms: offering more space, better views, and extra amenities like a mini-fridge or a better TV.
• Suites: Larger rooms with separate living areas.
• Connecting Rooms: Two rooms with a door between them, perfect for families or groups who want to stay close together.
• Accessible Rooms: Designed for guests with disabilities, featuring wider doorways, grab bars in the bathroom, and other accessible features.

Hostels:

• Dormitory Rooms: Shared rooms with multiple beds (bunk beds are common, some even have privacy curtains). You’ll share the space with other travelers, including bathroom facilities, which can be in the same room or a separate space (with multiple showers).
• Private Rooms: Some hostels offer private rooms that can come with shared or private bathroom facilities. Usually caters to couples or travelers who want more privacy but access to the social atmosphere of a hostel.
• Family Rooms: Larger private rooms are designed for families or groups, usually with multiple beds and sometimes a private bathroom. (Hostelz has a filter you can use to look for family-friendly hostels)
• Pod/Capsule Rooms: Individual sleeping pods or capsules within a shared room.

The number of beds can vary from 4 to 16 (some even have 32 beds!). Hostels usually include these types of dorms:

• Mixed Dorms: Both men and women can stay.
• Female-Only Dorms: Reserved for women, offering a bit more privacy and comfort for some female travelers.
• Male-Only Dorms (rare, can be found in specific countries like Japan): Reserved for men, providing a more comfortable space for some male travelers.

Read: Female-only Hostels, From Search to Stay.

Hostel Private Room vs. Hotel: what's the difference?

The main difference is the Bathroom:

• Hotels almost always have an en-suite bathroom (a private bathroom inside the room).
• Some hostel private rooms have shared bathrooms, meaning you step outside your room to use communal facilities.

Read: Differences between Hotel and Hostel showers.

Room Size:

• Hostel private rooms can sometimes be smaller than hotel rooms.
• However, if a hostel private room includes an en-suite bathroom, it’s essentially the same as a hotel room.

Other main differences between a hostel and a hotel:

• Environment: Hostels are more social, with common areas and group activities.
• Services: Hotels offer more services like daily housekeeping and room service.
• Price: Hostels are generally cheaper than hotels, making them the budget-friendly choice.

Amenities in Hostels vs Hotels

Another difference between a hostel and a hotel lies in the type and range of amenities offered.

Hotels services:

• In-room Amenities: TV, Minibar, Room Service, Toiletries, Wi-Fi, Air Conditioning/Heating.
• General Amenities: Gym, Pool, Spa, Business Center, Restaurant, Bar, Concierge.

Hostels services:

Arya Wellness - female only

9.6

"Arya is a 5-star wellness hostel for young woman who's looking for a high quality and an unique more

from

$19.50

In-room Amenities:

• Limited Amenities: Typically, you’ll find the basics like a bed and possibly a reading light.
• Lockers: Secure storage for your belongings. Bring your own lock for secure storage in lockers.
• Wi-Fi: Usually free.
• Toiletries: Most hostels do not provide toiletries, so bring your own. Some may offer basic items for free or for purchase.
• Towels: Some hostels provide towels for free, others offer them for a small fee, and some do not provide them at all.
• Linen: In Europe, it’s common to rent linens for a fee or bring your own. While in other places, hostels often provide linens, and some may even make your bed daily.

General Amenities:

• Communal Kitchen: Fully equipped kitchens where you can cook your own meals. Great for saving money and meeting other travelers.
• Lounge: Comfortable seating areas with books, games, and sometimes TVs or computers.
• Game Rooms: Spaces with pool tables, table tennis, board games, and sometimes video games.
• Laundry Facilities: Washers and dryers can be available for guest use, usually for a small fee.
• Bar or Café: Offering affordable drinks and snacks. Great places to socialize!
• Tours and Activities Desk: Information and booking for local tours, pub crawls, and social events.

Read: When to Book Hostels? For Spontaneous Souls & Pre-Planners

Privacy Difference Between Hostel and Hotel

Hotels:

• Individual Rooms: Hotels offer a high level of privacy with individual rooms. You have your own space to relax and unwind without disturbance.
• Soundproofing: Soundproofing varies between hotels, but generally, it's designed to minimize noise from neighboring rooms and outside.
• Privacy Assurance: Room service and housekeeping usually respect your privacy, ensuring minimal intrusion during your stay.

Hostels:

• Bunk Beds: These beds offer minimal privacy but maximize space efficiency.
• Pods or Capsule Beds: Offer more privacy with curtains or doors that you can close.
• Privacy Curtains: Many hostels now include privacy curtains around each bed, offering a degree of personal space even in shared rooms.
• Communal Spaces: Common areas like lounges and kitchens are shared.
• Private Rooms: Some hostels provide private rooms with locked doors.

Activities in Hostels and Hotels

The difference between a hotel and a hostel extends beyond just the room type—it also affects the kind of activities and experiences you can expect.

Hotels:

• Organized Tours and Excursions: Hotels sometimes offer organized tours and excursions to nearby attractions.
• Extra Cost Activities: Many activities at hotels come with an additional cost, such as guided tours, cooking classes, or cultural experiences.
• On-site Entertainment: On-site entertainment options may include bars, nightclubs, live shows, and performances.

Hostels:

• Social Activities: You could find activities like group tours, pub crawls, and game nights.
• Volunteer-led Activities: Some hostels organize volunteer-led activities, such as community projects or eco-friendly initiatives.
• Cultural Workshops and Events: Cultural workshops, language exchange sessions, and local events are often organized by some hostels.

Working: Hostel vs Hotel Difference

In Hotels, you could find:

• Business Facilities
• Reliable Wi-Fi and Desk Space
• Executive Lounges

In Hostels, you could find:

• Common Area Workspaces for digital nomads
• Wi-Fi Availability

The type of People that stay in Hotels vs Hostels

Hotels generally attract travelers looking for privacy, comfort, and convenience—whether it's business travelers, couples, families, or those preferring a more structured and service-oriented stay.

Read: Hostels for Adults: How and Where to Find Them

Hostels, on the other hand, welcome a wide range of travelers, from solo backpackers and budget-conscious adventurers to digital nomads and social explorers. While traditionally associated with young travelers, many hostels cater to specific groups—such as adult-only hostels (Hostelz has a filter for 'adults' and 'older travelers' that you can use when searching for a hostel in a specific city) with more private and quiet atmospheres or youth hostels designed for younger guests with shared dormitories and social events. There's no single age bracket for hostels; with the right choice, you can find hostels that are just as comfortable for adults looking for a laid-back yet social experience.

Read: When Are You Too Old To Stay in a Hostel? An Honest Answer

Hostel vs Hotel Europe

Europe is one of the most popular destinations for backpackers, and many travelers choose hostels over hotels to save money and meet people. Since hostels are such a big part of the travel culture in Europe, here’s how they compare to hotels:

• Price: Hostels in Europe are significantly cheaper than hotels, especially in major cities. Hotels can be costly, particularly in tourist hotspots.
• Social Atmosphere: Hostels in Europe attract backpackers and solo travelers, making them great for meeting people. Hotels tend to be more private and less social.
• Room Options: Many European hostels offer private rooms, sometimes with en-suite bathrooms, making them similar to budget hotels but at a lower cost.
• Amenities: Hotels provide more services like daily housekeeping and concierge, while hostels focus on shared spaces like communal kitchens to help travelers save money.
• Booking Demand: Hostels fill up quickly in popular cities, so booking in advance is recommended, especially in peak seasons.

Read: How Much Are Hostels In Europe On Average? Costs & Deals

Recap: Hostel vs Hotel Pros and Cons

Both hostels and hotels offer unique benefits depending on your travel style, budget, and preferences. Below is a comparison of their main pros and cons to help you decide which option suits you best.

Hostel Pros:

• Budget-Friendly – Cheaper than hotels, ideal for backpackers and budget travelers.
• Social Atmosphere – Can sometimes feel like home. Great for meeting fellow travelers through common areas and group activities.
• Communal Facilities – Access to shared kitchens, lounges, and game rooms can help save money and enhance the experience.
• Flexibility – Often more flexible with check-in/out times compared to hotels.
• Unique and Quirky Designs – Some hostels offer themed rooms and creative spaces.

Hostel Cons:

• Less Privacy – Dorm-style rooms mean sharing space with multiple people. Even private rooms may have shared bathrooms.
• Potential Noise – Common areas and shared rooms can be lively, which may disrupt sleep.
• Fewer Amenities – Limited in-room services, no room service, and often no daily housekeeping.
• Security Concerns – Shared spaces mean keeping an eye on belongings; lockers are available but may require your own lock.

Hotel Pros:

• More Privacy – Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms ensure a quiet, personal space.
• Comfort & Convenience – Includes amenities like housekeeping, room service, and concierge services.
• Better Soundproofing – Designed to minimize outside noise for a more peaceful stay.
• More Facilities – Access to gyms, pools, spas, restaurants, and business centers.
• Higher Security – Individual keycard access, safes in rooms, and 24/7 front desk service.

Hotel Cons:

• More Expensive – Generally costs more than hostels, especially in prime locations.
• Less Social Interaction – Guests typically keep to themselves, with fewer opportunities to meet fellow travelers.
• Limited Cooking Facilities – Unlike hostels, hotels rarely offer communal kitchens, so dining out can add to expenses.
• Less Flexibility – Stricter check-in/out times and cancellation policies compared to hostels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a hotel vs hostel vs Airbnb?

Hotels offer private rooms with full amenities, but they can be expensive. Hostels are budget-friendly and social, with dorm beds and private room options. Airbnbs vary widely, from shared apartments to entire homes, often offering a more local experience but sometimes lacking consistency in quality and service.

Motel vs. hotel: What’s the difference?

Motels are typically roadside accommodations designed for short stays, often with exterior room entrances and basic amenities. Hotels offer more comfort, services, and usually cater to longer stays in urban or tourist areas.

Where can I find a hostel near me?
You can compare hostels in your city or destination on Hostelz, where you’ll find price comparisons from multiple booking platforms.

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About the author: Hostelz

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