A recent article on Matador Network got us thinking… can you really ever get too old to stay in a hostel? Before you roll your eyes out and blurt out a big “duh!” take a moment to really ponder the matter. Even if you would rather read your book in peace than go partying, you wake up before noon without an alarm, and you look at private rooms as investments —not splurging, who’s to say you cannot rip the benefits of hostel culture, while indulging your mature needs? 

 

Yes, hostels are where twenty-somethings go to party, snorers go to snore louder than ever and inconsiderate travellers go to unpack closetfuls of plastic bags in the middle of the night. But they are also the places that will make your life better. Here’s why.

 

Travellers rule this land

And by travellers, we absolutely do not mean tourists. Hostels are hubs for true travellers. The ones that come armed with lists of the coolest places according the coolest people they know, update these lists and are happy to leave them in your hands. Travellers are the people with the hacks. You might strike up a conversation that will eventually lead you to a place you would have never discovered if you would have been by yourself in a hotel.

 

Open this door for free stays all over the world

The only thing travellers like almost as much as travelling, is talking about travelling. Let’s say the person you just had that conversation with, is German and becomes your friend. On your next hostel you experience a similar situation, this time with a Brazilian. Next stop, a Kiwi. By the time you get home, you can start planning your next trip to any of these three countries, where you will likely be welcomed with a free roof, free city tour, and smiles. 

 

Stuff vs. stories

There’s no denying that even in the most expensive cities in the world, and especially if your travelling solo, staying in a hostel is always cheaper than a hotel and often less expensive than an AirB&B. And just think of all good local food you can buy with what you save… 

 

Alone never feels lonely here

As you grow older, you may also be growing fonder of your privacy. Private rooms in hostels are often an option, and if you feel lonely, you can always shuffle to a common area and socialize, or read a book in peace, but not alone. 

 

Go nuts

Not one hostel is the same. And there are some pretty special ones out there, with a bed ready for you. Ottawa has a hostel inside an old jail and Stockholm has one inside a jumbo plane. You can have a look at some other crazy hostels in this article on HI’s blog,  Backpacker Buzz. If you are into higher-end spots, look for the boutique hostels that are now popping out all over the globe. And if your old body needs a rest, get away from it all in a place like HI-Griffon Aventure where you can hang by the sea, swing on a hammock, and forget the rest of the world exists.

 

This article was written in partnership with Hostelling International (HI). HI is a not-for-profit organization with with over 4 000 hostels worldwide and more than 60 across Canada.