Hostel Myths: Fact or Fiction?

Quick answer: Most common hostel myths don’t hold up. In my experience, hostels are usually clean and safe if you use a locker, but yes, some dorm guests get frisky, you’ll meet a few oddballs, and a good night’s sleep comes down to the luck of the draw.

When I booked my first hostel, I had NO idea what to expect. I’d seen horror stories online and wasn’t sure what I’d let myself in for. When I got there, not only was the hostel amazing, but I met some incredible people. If you aren’t sure whether hostels are for you, here’s my verdict on some of the most common hostel myths, fact or fiction.

(Note: this is based purely on my experiences in European hostels.)

Myth 1: Hostels are dirty

95% of the hostels I’ve stayed in have rivalled hotels in the cleanliness stakes, and some have even been cleaner. There are a few that may have some… issues, shall we say, but these are certainly in the minority (ah, the memory of walking into a hostel in Budapest and noticing the wall covered in squashed mosquitoes…).

With all of the review sites nowadays and new hostels springing up looking for custom, they can’t afford to be lax with a mop. Some employ cleaners who work really hard, and often the people working at hostels take on cleaning duties in return for free accommodation, so they definitely want the place looking good.

Verdict: Fiction

Myth 2: People have sex in hostel dorms

One of my work colleagues asked me this, and the others all gathered around in fascination to hear if it ever actually happens. The answer? Yes, it does.

Luckily, the only time people have gotten their freak on in my dorm was when I was asleep, and the guy I shared with in Sofia kindly went into the bathroom with his new friend (thank you, kind sir). I have heard horror stories about the central table in a dorm being used for X-rated activities, but when you have a bunch of young people in a foreign country who have just been on a bar crawl, shit does indeed happen.

Verdict: Fact

Myth 3: My stuff will get stolen

When I booked my first hostel, I had no idea whether I should carry my passport around, as I didn’t know if the hostel was safe. I don’t want to say there is absolutely zero chance of anything ever being nicked (let’s be honest, there are some wrong’uns around), but if you use the lockers or safes that pretty much every hostel has, you should be OK.

Heck, when I got to my dorm in Florence, there was an Apple Mac lying on the bed next to mine. I never once saw the owner (although every time I went in there seemed to be more of his clothes encroaching into my area), but the Mac was still there at the end of my stay.

I would definitely trust a hostel locker more than cities where pickpockets are doing their thing, especially as I had my purse stolen out of my bag at a bar on a recent trip. Luckily my spare bank card was sitting pretty in my case back at the hostel.

• Always take a padlock with you.
• Use the hostel’s lockers or safes for valuables.
• Keep a spare bank card separate from your purse or wallet.

Verdict: Fiction

Myth 4: Hostels are full of weirdos and hippies

Well, I’ll give you that one. There are always going to be people you don’t click with (I’m talking about you, whiney-hike girl, and you, snorey Colombian dude) and, yes, some hippies.

When you’re sharing a dorm you have to talk to people you wouldn’t normally meet, which is a fantastic way to be inspired and find out more about other cultures. You may have travelled through Laos on your gap-yah, darling, but if you go into a hostel with a stuck-up attitude and are unwilling to talk to anyone a bit different to yourself, you’re not as cultured as you think you are, and quite frankly, you’re missing out. So next time you’re at a hostel, go up to that guy called Dandelion who has a fondness for linen trousers and have a chat…

Verdict: Fact (good!)

Myth 5: I won’t get any sleep in a hostel

Um… this depends. Did you book a bed in a 36-bed dorm without earplugs? Yeah, you’re not gonna be sleeping tonight. End up in an 8-bed dorm where everyone is considerate? You’ll be fine.

Unfortunately, sometimes you’ll be in the same dorm as a snorer who can wake you up even with the trusty earplugs in, and sometimes the hostel will decide you all need to be blasted with 40° heating for no apparent reason. We all hope to be with respectful people who can shut doors without slamming them (it appears some people struggle with this more than others), but I’ll be honest, it doesn’t always happen. It’s the luck of the draw, and if you’re a heavy sleeper you’re far less likely to have a problem.

Verdict: Both

Hostel myths at a glance

Myth	Verdict
Hostels are dirty	Fiction
People have sex in hostel dorms	Fact
My stuff will get stolen	Fiction
Hostels are full of weirdos and hippies	Fact (good!)
I won’t get any sleep	Both

Frequently Asked Questions

Are hostels clean?

In my experience, the vast majority are. Around 95% of the hostels I’ve stayed in rivalled hotels for cleanliness, partly because review sites and competition keep standards high.

Is it safe to leave my things in a hostel?

Generally, yes, if you use the lockers or safes most hostels provide. Bring your own padlock and keep a spare bank card separate from your wallet.

How can I get a decent night’s sleep in a hostel?

Pack earplugs and choose a smaller dorm, such as an 8-bed room, over a huge 36-bed one. Beyond that, it’s the luck of the draw.

Conclusion

So there you go, that’s my verdict on five of the most common hostel myths. Most of the scary stories are fiction, and the ones that are true are part of what makes hostel life memorable. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments!

Author Bio

Lorna is an avid hostel stayer and tries to balance her love of adventures with her full-time charity job. She blogs about travel and life as a twentysomething at www.thedaychaser.com

Have you seen something amazing during your travels? Write about it and have it published on Backpackways.com Know How To!