Europe Has A Bunch Of Cool New Hostels Perfect For The Frugal Traveller
When planning a big Euro trip, it’s more than likely hostels will come into the mix. Once known for their cramped quarters and outdated facilities, they’ve come a long way since then. Today, many are nice enough to even rival hotels.
[related_articles]62764[/related_articles]And when it comes to the hostel line-up in Europe, you won’t find any better. No other continent does clean, comfortable and, most importantly, cheap accommodation, as well as Europe does. Among its newest hostel offerings, these are our favourites.
The Sail Loft
Portsoy, Scotland
Talk about a remote stay. The Sail Loft in Portsoy, Scotland has just 25 beds and bunks in a restored 18th Century sailmaker’s loft, a Georgian house and two quaint cottages spread across its sprawling Banffshire coastline property. If you’re after peace and quiet, you’ll no doubt be getting a fair dose of it here.
Spend your days cycling along the coast and watching out for jumping dolphins before heading back to the grounds to cook up a BBQ in a picturesque walled garden. Cap off the evening with a soak in an outdoor wood-fired hot tub. Beds start at £23 (AU$41).
Where: Back Green, Portsoy, Scotland
St Christopher’s At The Village
London, England
Capsule hostels are popping up all over the world, but St Christopher’s at the Village in London is the first to bring pods to the UK. Each pod is equipped with a Japanese-style capsule bed, free wi-fi, USB charger ports and mood lighting. So, after a day exploring nearby sights the London Eye, Tower Bridge and food market Borough Market, you can settle in comfortably.
If you’re not wiped out then and are still up for a night out, you’ll be chuffed to know the hostel is frequently voted best party hostel (see beer pong pic above). Beds start at around £19.50 (AU$34).
Where: 165 Borough High St, London, England
Hotel Rum Budapest
Budapest, Hungary
While not exactly a shared-room hostel, Hotel Rum Budapest has the social feel of one and is more affordable than most other hotels in the area. Set in an old apartment block in the city centre, it’s a hipster’s paradise, blending historic with contemporary.
Room sizes range from small to large plus, and when you’re done chilling out in them you can head meet fellow travellers in the hotel’s rooftop bar or South-East Asian restaurant. In the morning, indulge in a buffet breakfast on the rooftop. Room rates start at AU$106.
Where: Királyi Pál St 4, Budapest
Oddsson Hostel
Reykjavik, Iceland
ICYMI, Iceland is the place to travel this year. And Oddsson Hostel in capital city Reykjavik opened just in time to meet that tourism boom. Like the country itself, it’s quirky and offbeat. For starters, it’s housed in a historic warehouse and boasts a minimalist design inspired by – wait for it – airports.
You won’t be spending much time indoors though – the hostels got heaps of activities to help you soak in your surroundings, including bike tours and guided views of the Northern Lights. Beds start at around kr10,900 (AU$138).
Where: Hringbraut 121, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland
JO&JOE Hostel
Hossegor, France
New Accor hostel collection JO&JOE is one to look out for when travelling. And its first to open, JO&JOE Hossegor in the French surf town of Hossegor 20km north of Biarritz, is set the bar high. Designed with an ‘open house’ mentality, it’s got a restaurant and bar – open to locals too – as well as venue spaces for concerts and workshops, all organised by hostel staff.
Communal spaces flow from indoors to outdoors, making the feel of staying here most definitely that of staying in an open-plan house. Beds start at around AU$52.
Where: 458 avenue de Gaujacq, Hossegor, France
Generator Hostel
Rome, Italy
Another top-notch hostel name to keep an eye out for is Generator. The “poshtel” brand is known for its city centre locations, design-led interiors and affordable rates. Its Generator Hostel Rome is set in the Italian capital’s cobble-stoned backstreets, a stone’s throw from the colosseum and Roma Termini station.
After a day of ancient history and too much gelato, head back to the hostel to kick back in its chill-out lounge or to dine in its restaurant. Beds start at around €15 (AU$23).
Where: Via Principe Amedeo 257, Rome, Italy
Steel House
Copenhagen, Denmark
It’s only fitting that Steel House is located in Vesterbro, Copenhagen’s hippest city pocket – the hostel is seriously chic. It’s got the usual hostel perks – communal kitchen and wi-fi – but also a slew of other bonuses including a cinema, indoor pool, gym, games room and co-working space garden.
As you’d expect from Scandinavian accommodation, its design is industrial and sleek. If you have a little more cash to splash, book a private room. Beds start at kr.125 (AU$26).
Where: Herholdtsgade 6, Copenhagen V, Denmark
MyCocoon Hostel
Mykonos, Greece
With an infinity pool and rooftop bar looking out over Mykonos’ white-washed cityscape, MyCocoon Hostel is unlike any other hostel you’ve ever seen. Inside, it’s got a futuristic, all-white design with pods complete with comfy beds, storage spaces and nightlights.
[related_articles]57653,62229[/related_articles]Open since May 2017, the hostel has booked out both summers now so if you’re keen on staying here, plan ahead. Beds start at €28 (AU$44).
Where: Kaminaki, Mikonos 846 00, Greece
If you’re keen for the hostel travel life, check out these hostel myths you really shouldn’t believe.
(Lead image: Mycocoon Hostel Mykonos / Facebook)
