Travel
Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels
Slide Nr 1Are destination hostels a thing? If not, we’re making them one. From Bali to Berlin, these new hostels around the world offer far more than just a place to rest your head. [Photo: Lub d Phuket Patong]
0/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 2COO Hostel in Tiong Bahru, Singapore – Put that phone away! …jk, technophiles are more than welcome here. This hostel is all about harnessing the power of the web to help guests connect IRL, using their private COO Connect Platform. There, booked guests can create a custom profile based on their personal interests and link up with other like-minded guests who are staying at the hostel when they are. Especially useful for solo travellers seeking a companion for sightseeing or a night on the town, the platform also has Breakfast Club and Supper Club options that invite guests to meet up over a meal at the hostel bistro. Not feeling so social? Pull your bed’s privacy curtain shut and take a nap, or take one of the free bikes out for a spin.
1/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 3Cuckoo Hostel in Bangalore, India – Situated in the Koramangala neighbourhood of Bangalore, Cuckoo Hostel has 2 main goals: to help travellers connect with one another, and to create zero waste. So far, so good. Transforming a private house into a hostel, owner Rajat Kukerja repurposed old items into beds, sinks and decor. Dry waste is recycled, wet waste is composted, all electrical appliances are energy-efficient, and guests frequently use the phrase “feels like family” to describe their stay.
2/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 4El Alternativo in Medellín, Colombia – Immerse yourself in the boho vibe of Medellín’s Manila district at this eco- and art-friendly hostel run by a young French couple. Travellers can choose from various room types depending on their needs and wants, and a breakfast of fresh local products is included, served on the rooftop terrace where you’ll also find the guest kitchen. The main hangout, though, is the Culture Bar, where you can order up a Colombian coffee or rum drink and mingle with other voyagers and locals, take in the current art and photography exhibition and grab a seat for regularly organised cultural and musical events.
3/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 5Generator Hostels in Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Stockholm – “Poshtels” are especially prized in Europe’s most sought-after (and pricey) cities, a fact which the rapidly growing Generator hostel brand has turned into a lucrative business model. In the past 2 years they’ve set up shop in Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Stockholm, adding to their already extensive European repertory of design-led hostels that embrace a social atmosphere with ample communal space, curated events and plenty of nods to local culture and aesthetics – no one Generator looks like another. Offering both dorm beds and hotel-grade private rooms at outrageously reasonable prices, this is one hostel brand to look out for, especially with new outposts to open in Miami and Madrid this year.
4/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 6Irori Nihonbashi Hostel and Kitchen in Tokyo, Japan – Think you don’t have time to experience all Japan’s local cultures have to offer in one trip? Think again. Aiming to be “the hub between the contrasting aspects of this country”, the hostel puts on events to showcase the diversity of Japanese culture – especially of the culinary variety. Get-togethers are mainly held in the hostel’s lounge, which holds its eponymous feature: an irori, or sunken hearth used for warmth, cooking and conviviality. Have a seat, fire up the irori and enjoy good food and good conversation with travellers and locals before falling into a food coma in your bed made of wood from Shikoku island and equipped with a traditional Noren privacy curtain for a peaceful night’s sleep.
5/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 7JO&JOE in Hossegor, France – In May 2017, Hossegor welcomed the first property in Accorhotels’ brand new JO&JOE hostel collection, bringing a socially inclined “Open House” concept to this French surfing mecca, just a 5-minute walk from the beach. Whether you’re booking a private room or a dorm-style bed, every guest is guaranteed their own USB charger, bedside lamp and comfy bedsheets, as well as access to the communal kitchen, living room space and large garden for unwinding after a day at the beach. A restaurant and a chilled-out bar – open to locals as well as guests – offer cheap bites and beverages, and also serve as venues for concerts, gatherings, workshops and other events organised by JO&JOE staff, travellers, locals and anyone who has a notion to join the Open House.
6/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 8Lub d Phuket Patong in Patong, Thailand – This newcomer (opened in July 2016) is already making a splash on the international hostel scene, taking home the coveted ‘Best New Hostel’ title at Hostel World’s recent HOSCAR awards. Geared towards backpackers and “flashpackers” (backpackers with a bigger budget, for the uninitiated) looking to get the most bang for their baht, Lub d offers stylish modern accommodations in a variety of sizes, from the 25sqm private Deluxe King room to a bed in a 4-person dorm. As for your to-do list while here: grab a drink or snack at the airy bar/restaurant, take a dip in the pool, try your hand at a Thai boxing class, network in the co-working space, and take advantage of the hostel’s prime location to explore the bustling Patong neighbourhood or stroll on the nearby beach. Can’t get enough Lub d? Consider adding Siem Reap to your Southeast Asia itinerary; the brand is opening their next buzzworthy hostel there this month.
7/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 9M Boutique Hostel in Seminyak, Bali – You didn’t come to paradise to be awakened in the dead of night by your bunkmates. That’s why this self-described “luxury boutique hostel” offers capsule-style beds, complete with pull-down blinds and complimentary earplugs. You also didn’t fly all this way to wash your own clothes or clean your room, so they throw in free laundry service and housekeeping, along with towels, WiFi and all-day tea and coffee. All you have to do is toss your bag in your private secured locker, then head to the pool or go exploring.
8/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 10Mad Monkey Bay in Koh Rong Samloem, Cambodia – If you’ve got private island aspirations but a bunk bed budget, allow us to introduce you to Mad Monkey Bay: it’s everything you ever wanted in an exclusive beach resort that’s actually a hostel. For starters, there’s the secluded beach straight out of a travel agency ad, with hammocks suspended over the shallows Then come the Robinson Crusoe-style private bungalows and dorms. Do we even need to mention the beach bar, the volleyball court and the kayaks? There’s a “no wifi, make friends” policy, which may sound scary at first, but after a while you’ll be having too much fun with your new comrades to even think about missing the interwebs.
9/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 11MyCocoon Hostel in Mykonos, Greece – Let’s be honest: you’re in Mykonos for one of many reasons, none of which involve sitting in your hotel room for very long. Taking the gently curving, whitewashed aesthetic of local homes and adding a modern spin, this design-minded hostel has everything you need (comfy beds, bathrooms, showers, a mini market) and nothing you don’t. What’s more, its prime location in Mykonos Town means you can jump right into the daily cycle of Mykonos backpacking life: Explore. Party. Sleep. Repeat.
10/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 12Native Hostel in Austin, Texas, USA – For having just opened its doors in May 2017, this “experiential hostel” in Austin’s East Side has created quite a stir. And for good reason. Not just about providing swanky (by hostel standards) digs for budget-minded travellers, it also aims to be a legit hangout for locals. As such, the hostel houses a coffee shop, a restaurant, a bar and an ongoing events schedule offering up musical acts, collaborative DJ sets and film screenings alongside more eclectic fare like river tubing excursions and Yoga Unwined – yoga followed by “meditative wine tasting”. We’d expect nothing less from the Texan Capital of Cool.
11/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 13PuraGuajira Hostel in La Guajira, Colombia – If you’re looking for the best hostel in Colombia, look no further – according to Hostelworld’s 2017 Hoscar awards, at least. Well-positioned for travel to Cabo de La Vela and Punta Gallinas, the northernmost point of South America, PuraGuajira Hostel charms with its vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, beach-adjacent location, relaxed hangout areas (including a rooftop terrace) and two furry permanent guests, a feline and a canine with lots of love to give.
12/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 14Rambutan Townsville YHA in Townsville, Queensland, Australia – Boasting a rooftop bar, an Instagram-worthy pool, an American-style barbecue restaurant, a guest kitchen, a lounge equipped with Netflix and board games, and a range of accommodations running the gamut from 8-bed dorms and hostel-priced private rooms all the way to hotel-quality guest rooms and 4-bedroom villas, Rambutan is a worthy base from which to explore Townsville and its surrounding sights – ie. the Townsville Strand beach, Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef, to name a few.
13/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 15Ross of Mull Bunkhouse and Achaban House in Fionnphort, Isle of Mull, Scotland – Can’t get enough of Scotland’s windswept coastlines and historic accommodations? Try the newly opened boutique hostel Achaban House and Ross of Mull Bunkhouse, situated in a 19th-century manse and a traditional cottage, respectively. Located on 6 acres of virgin land about a mile outside of tiny Fionnphort village, Achaban House is a boutique hostel offering 6 ensuite rooms, while the bunkhouse can accommodate 8 guests in 2 rooms. Both feature communal dining, cooking and lounging areas, as well as easy access to the area’s key sights and activities, such as the Isle of Mull Food Trail and the stunning Isle of Iona, not to mention craggy cliffs for rock climbing, scenic trails for walking and cycling, and clear waters for snorkelling. [Photo: Angus Bremner]
14/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 16The Bunkhouse in Vail, Colorado, USA – Ski with the glitterati without blowing your budget on a bed to sleep in. The Bunkhouse is all about providing friendly, comfortable accommodations to people who’d rather spend their money on getting to cool places than staying in fancy hotels. Located 5 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Resorts, this boutique hostel offers 2 quad rooms meant to be booked as private accommodations, in addition to 30 semi-private built-in bunks resembling pods more so than a traditional dorm-style bunk room. After a long day of skiing, climbing, hiking, rafting, cycling or whatever it is you like to do on a mountain, you can cook up a meal in the self-service kitchen, grab a local tipple from the in-house bar, and just relax.
15/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 17The Fantastic Foxhole Hostel in Berlin, Germany – A hipster hostel in a hipster borough in a hipster city: it’s the matroyshka doll of travel lodging. Formerly a gritty quarter riddled with social issues, now an up-and-coming neighbourhood with international influences, Neukölln is the place be – and The Fantastic Foxhole wants to be the place to stay. With just 4 dorm rooms, each housing 6 to 12 travellers and its own bathroom, as well as a communal bar and garden area, it’s not the Ritz-Carlton – but its high ceilings, honest decor and accessible location make it a charming option for a roving free spirit.
16/23
Travel
Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 18The Freehand LA in Los Angeles, California, USA – It’s a hotel! It’s a hostel! It’s …kinda confusing, but just go with it. Much like its older siblings in Miami and Chicago, the new Freehand in downtown LA blurs the traditional line between hotel and hostel, offering upscale private rooms (with equally upscale prices), but also shared bunk rooms; room service and doormen, but also a community vibe. Housed in the old Commercial Exchange Building, it’s got an artisanal café, a restaurant and 2 bars – one of which happens to be on a rooftop with a pool and an award-winning cocktail list. Seriously, even if you’re bunking it up in an 8-person room here, you’re still sleeping in a solid cedar bed with a designer mattress and padding around on hand-woven rugs, so it’ll feel like so much more than your average hostel. Of course, living in the lap of hostel luxury will cost you – around USD 62 a night for a bunk bed.
17/23
Travel
Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 19The Sail Loft in Portsoy, Scotland – Historic? Check; it’s housed in a restored 18th-century sailmaker’s loft, Georgian house and two cottages. Intimate? Check; it can sleep 25 across a variety of dorms, twins and family rooms (making it family-friendly to boot). Conveniently located? Check; that is, if you consider a seaside location on the wild Banffshire Coast to be “convenient”. This brand new (open February 2017) bunkhouse doesn’t boast of fancy bells and whistles, but its quaint, friendly quarters are a cosy base for exploring the region’s many rugged attractions, like dolphin-watching, walking and cycling trails, and the Scottish Traditional Boat festival which takes place in Portsoy’s 17th-century harbour, just a short walk from the hostel.
18/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 20The Upcycled Hostel in Ica, Peru – A garden with a pool and bar set against giant sand dune, plus complimentary breakfast and a prime location near the Huacachina oasis with easy access to virgin beaches, vineyards, sandboarding and desert dune buggy excursions? Yes, please! This intimate hostel ticks all the boxes for a restful yet entertaining stay in southwestern Peru.
19/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 21Train Hostel HOKUTOSEI in Tokyo, Japan – All aboard! Train enthusiasts are Tokyo-bound to get a glimpse of this hostel, named for and inspired by the now-defunct Hokutosei sleeper train, which ceased operation in 2015 after 27 years of shuttling travellers between Tokyo and Sapporo. From bunk dorms to private rooms, the accommodations are designed to look like real train cabins, right down to the curtains and aluminium ladders. In fact, many of the materials were taken from actual Hokutosei carriages, adding to the authentic feel – minus the potential motion sickness. Appropriately enough, it’s all within easy reach of Tokyo station via the JR Sōbu line.
20/23
Travel
Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 22Urban House in Copenhagen, Denmark – If the on-site tattoo parlour, bicycle shop and burger restaurant don’t seal the deal for you, allow us to sweeten the pot: this trendy hostel-slash-hotel in the hip Vesterbro neighbourhood also serves craft beer and live music at its bar, hosts daily fitness events (morning yoga or an urban run, perhaps?) and houses a small library, a private garden terrace, a cinema room and a dedicated “Hangover Lounge” for nursing that headache in peace and quiet. Still not cool enough for you? Then we suggest you adjust your standards…
21/23
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
Slide Nr 23YHA The Sill At Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, England – Be among the first to sleep in this stunning hostel and “discovery centre” in Northumberland National Park. Having just opened in July 2017, the hostel encompasses 26 2-, 3- or 4-person rooms, along with a kitchen and lounge areas, all attached to a Landscape Discovery Centre that houses exhibitions spaces, a shop and a café. The eco-friendly building itself is a major talking point, powered by renewable energy and featuring dry stone walls and a “green” roof that visitors can walk on – and from which they can take in sweeping views of the national park. Ideal for nature-lovers and history buffs alike, the hostel is perfectly situated for exploring Hadrian’s Wall and Vindolanda Roman Fort, as well as stargazing in this certified Dark Skies area.
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Hostel Territory: The 22 Coolest New Hostels.
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