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{{Short description|Cheap, sociable lodging}}
{{For multi|other uses|Hostel (disambiguation)|student housing|Student accommodation}}{{Not to be confused with|Hotel}}
[[File:Hostel Dormitory.jpg|thumb|Hostel dormitory room in [[Taiwan]]]]
[[File:Centabay Lodge.jpg|thumb|A house that has been converted into a hostel in [[Paihia]], [[New Zealand]]]]
[[File:Pai Circus Hostel.jpg|thumb|Outdoor pool and shared space at a hostel in [[Pai, Thailand|Pai]], [[Thailand]]]]
A '''hostel''' is a form of low-cost, short-term shared sociable [[lodging]] where guests can rent a [[bed]], usually a [[bunk bed]] in a [[dormitory]] sleeping 4–20 people,<ref name=rich>{{Cite news | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2009-04-19-0904160230-story.html | title=Hostels are an economic godsend and a rich, worldly philosophy | work=[[Chicago Tribune]] | date=April 19, 2009}}</ref> with shared use of a lounge and usually a kitchen.<ref name=Beds/> Rooms can be private or shared - mixed or single-sex - and have private or shared bathrooms. Food and beverage, laundry services, luggage storage, and lockers may also be available.<ref name=rich/>

Hostels are popular forms of lodging for [[Backpacking (travel)|backpackers]] and with [[youth travel]];<ref name=Beds/> however, most do not impose age limits.<ref name=rich/><ref name=Size>{{Cite web | title=Hostels Market Size, Trends, Industry Share, And Global Forecast 2023-2032 | url=https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/hostels-global-market-report |access-date=2024-01-18 | publisher=thebusinessresearchcompany.com}}</ref> The global size of the hostel market was estimated at US$7.21 billion in 2023 and was projected to grow at a 6.5% [[compound annual growth rate]] until 2030.<ref>{{Cite press release | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/11/20/2984199/28124/en/Hostel-Market-Size-Share-Trends-Analysis-Report-2024-2030-Experiential-Travel-Sustainability-and-the-Rise-of-Green-Hostels.html | title=Hostel Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report 2024-2030 - Experiential Travel, Sustainability and the Rise of Green Hostels | publisher=[[GlobeNewswire]] | date=November 20, 2024}}</ref> In 2019, there were an estimated 5,829 hostels in Europe and 4,738 hostels in Asia.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1094387/number-of-hostels-worldwide/ | title=Total number of hostels worldwide as of October 2019, by region | work=[[Statista]]}}</ref> The typical guest is between 16 and 34 years old, although it can vary depending on the country.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} Many hostels are locally owned and operated.

==Advantages==
The benefits to travelers of hostels include lower costs<ref name=compete/><ref name=rich/> opportunities to meet people from different places, find travel partners and a sense of community, and share travel experiences.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://skift.com/2024/12/18/who-is-fueling-indias-demand-for-hostel-accommodations-india-report/ | title=Who Is Fueling India’s Demand for Hostel Accommodations — India Report | first=Bulbul | last=Dhawan | work=[[Skift]] | date=December 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name=Size/><ref name=Beds/> They are usually more centrally located than lodging found on [[Airbnb]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/ive-stayed-hostels-9-different-104301719.html | title=I've stayed in hostels in 9 different countries. Here's why they're my preferred option — especially for solo travel. | first=Grace | last=Dean | work=[[Business Insider]] | via=[[Yahoo!]] | date=August 25, 2024}}</ref>

Some hostels, such as those in the [[Hostelling International]] network, cater to a niche market of travelers.<ref name=Beds/> For example, one hostel might feature in-house social gatherings such as movie nights or communal dinners,<ref name=rich/> another might feature local tours, cooking classes, and pub crawls, one might be known for its parties, and another might have a quieter place to relax in serenity, or be located on the beach.<ref name=compete>{{Cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/ap-airbnb-travelers-hostels-panama-b2455601.html | title=As Airbnb falters, hostels seek to compete | first=Sally | last=French | work=[[The Independent]] | date=29 November 2023}}</ref> Some may cater to older [[digital nomad]]s, [[global nomad]]s, and [[perpetual traveler]]s who prefer slightly more upmarket private rooms or a quieter atmosphere. Hostels may also differentiate themselves by being environmentally friendly ecohostels.<ref name=Beds/>

Hostels may offer long-term lodging to guests for free or at a discount in exchange for work as a [[receptionist]] or in [[housekeeping]].

== Issues to consider ==
* There is less privacy in a hostel than in a hotel. Sharing sleeping areas in a [[dormitory]] and bathrooms might not be comfortable for those requiring more privacy. However, the shared lodging makes it easier to meet new people. Some hostels encourage more social interaction between guests due to the shared sleeping areas and communal areas. Lounges typically have sofas and chairs, coffee tables, board games, books or book exchange, computers, and Internet access.
* Nearly all hostels have a shared communal kitchen area for the preparation of food and a storage area with refrigerators. Most hostels have a label system to identify the owner of the food. Some hostels will have a labeled "free shelf" where guests can leave unwanted food. Theft of food can happen. 
* Noise can make sleeping difficult, whether from [[snoring]], talking, and social activities in the lounge, guests staying up with the light on, or someone either returning late from bars or leaving early. To mitigate the effects, many guests use earplugs and eye masks.
* Some hostels do not provide linens.
* Some hostels may have a [[curfew]] and daytime lockouts.<ref name=rich/>

== History ==
In August 1909, [[Richard Schirrmann]], a teacher in Germany, first published his idea of inexpensive accommodation for [[youth travel]] after leading a school camping trip that was derailed by a thunderstorm. Schirrmann received considerable support and opened a makeshift hostel for hikers in the school in which he taught. On June 1, 1912, Schirrmann opened the first hostel in [[Altena Castle]].<ref name=Beds>{{Cite journal |last=Bunda |first=Robert |date=2014-05-02 |title=The Business of Beds: An Exploration of Hotel and Hostel Business Strategy |url=https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/srhonors_theses/350 |journal=Honors Scholar Theses}}</ref> The original hostel rooms are now a museum. Schirrmann served in [[World War I]] and after observing the [[Christmas truce]] on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] in December 1915, he wondered whether "thoughtful young people of all countries could be provided with suitable meeting places where they could get to know each other". In 1919, he founded the [[German Youth Hostel Association]]. 

By 1932, Germany had more than 2,000 hostels recording more than 4.5 million overnights annually. The International Youth Hostel Federation (now [[Hostelling International]]) was founded in October 1932. It is now an organization composed of more than 90 hostel associations representing over 4,500 hostels in over 80 countries. These hostels cater more to school-aged children, sometimes through school trips, and families with school-aged children.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

In 1936, [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] was the honorary president of AYH (now [[Hostelling International USA]]). [[John D. Rockefeller III]] was a proponent of hostels and was president for several years.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

During [[World War II]], many hostels in Europe were temporarily shut down or placed under the control of the [[Hitler Youth]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

In the 1960s and 1970s, hostelling prospered. The industry declined during the [[1970s energy crisis]]. 

A law passed in [[New York State]] in 2010 banned hostels due to illegal hostels set up in residences, unless a hotel license was obtained.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Why the Hostel-ity? |url=https://www.decoderny.com/hostels-new-york-illegal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117224118/https://www.decoderny.com/hostels-new-york-illegal |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |date=March 23, 2017 |publisher=Decoder}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaltiel |first=Jason |date=November 29, 2015 |title=Youth Hostels in Nyc, Made Illegal in 2010, Could Rebound Under New Legislative Push |url=https://www.amny.com/news/hostels-in-nyc-made-illegal-in-2010-could-rebound-under-new-legislative-push-1-11174351/ | work=[[amNewYork]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807190801/https://www.amny.com/news/hostels-in-nyc-made-illegal-in-2010-could-rebound-under-new-legislative-push-1-11174351/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[2008 financial crisis]] and the [[Great Recession]], the hostel market actually grew due to its cost appeal.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.savills.je/research_articles/262231/198686-0 | title=European Tourist Hostel Report | work=[[Savills]] | date=26 January 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Bed and breakfast]]
* [[Inn]]
* [[Motel]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage|Hostels}}
{{Commons category}}
{{Hotel}}
{{Tourism}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hostels| ]]
[[Category:Adventure travel]]
[[Category:Backpacking]]
[[Category:Hotel types]]
[[Category:Tourist accommodations]]