Why You Should Check Out The Reputation Of A Hostel
Exploring the world by yourself or with friends can be an exciting opportunity. You’ll gain greater perspective as you immerse yourself in a new culture. Unfortunately, one of the trickiest parts of backpacking through the world is finding a decent and affordable place to stay. You might luck out with affordable hotel rooms, but for the most part, hostels offer you your best bet when it comes to good, safe, temporary accommodation. Just be sure that when you do find a hostel, you’re getting a fair deal. It might seem exotic to crash for the night at a hostel with your friends, but not all hostels are created equally. Before you check into that super cheap hostel, check out what people are saying online. The following guide offers solid advice on why you should review a hostel’s online reputation before you book.
Those Who’ve Gone Before
Why You Should Check Out The Reputation Of A Hostel
There’s a reason that online review sites are so popular. Thanks to technology and the advice of other people, you no longer have to rely on a place’s own testimony to know whether it’s legitimate. Online credibility presents an instant, virtual word-of-mouth validation by fellow travelers, and word-of-mouth still ranks high as the number one way that people get their trustful information. In other words, those who have stayed at the hostel before know first hand how it stacks up, and you should heed their advice.
Why You Should Check Out The Reputation Of A Hostel
Guide Posts
Of course, you should always take online reviews more as guide posts rather then the final and absolute word. Not everyone shared the same standards when it comes to what is and what isn’t acceptable accommodations. But if the hostel you’re researching consistently receives low rankings on things like location, quality and staff attitude, then you should proceed with caution. Gathering a little intel on what others think when it comes to finding a good hostel will save you a lot of money and grief.
Why You Should Check Out The Reputation Of A Hostel
Crime Doesn’t Pay
Hostels get a bad rap from movies and urban legends, but their intent is to provide an inexpensive way for mainly students to travel around the world. However, some hostels earn their bad reputation for being in bad parts of major cities, especially ones prone to high crime rates and suspicious activity. You may look for establishments with a panic button alarm for hospitality staff and other security measures that may help ensure the safety and security of their guests. In addition, checking a hostel’s online rating should include a quick search into the area in which it’s located. Are there a lot of theft reports? How many disappearances or kidnappings happen per capita in the area? Traveling can be fun, but it can also be very dangerous, and you don’t want to stay over in a place well-known for its criminal activity. The hostel might seem like a great deal, but if you stand a good chance of being mugged or hurt, then that great deal just became worthless.
More Bang for Your Buck
Why You Should Check Out The Reputation Of A Hostel
Finally, knowing where you’re headed gives you the option to shop around for a better deal. Hostels offer different perks in different areas. Some include complimentary, non-alcoholic beverages like coffee and soda, and some may simply offer a bed for the night in an overcrowded warehouse setting. While you’re researching the hostel’s reputation, compare it with others in the area or nearby cities.
Some hostels may offer more perks for less money, but some may also charge you extra fees for those same perks. Knowing what you’re getting into ahead of time will help you plan your finances accordingly.
Be smart, plan accordingly, pack light and safe travels!
Andrew Handley, a writer covering a wide range of topics. Currently an active content manager at a New York SEO company.
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