If you’re planning your first trip, trying to decide where to stay can be a challenge. Some people may tell you that you should stay in hostels for the social vibe and to save money. Others may tell you hostels aren’t safe, and you should stay in large hotels only. How do you decide between different accommodation types and which one is right for you? Hostels vs hotels: which is better? The guide below will all these questions and more to help you plan your first trip. Are you looking for information on the best platforms for booking hostels? Check out my full guide here.
Resorts
Resorts are generally going to be the most expensive accommodation type, and for good reason. Think swim-up bars, kids clubs, in-house activities and spa treatments. All very White Lotus. Some resorts are all-inclusive, which means the price of food, drinks and activities are included in the price. Other resorts may have an often for half-board, which means two meals a day are included (usually breakfast and dinner). Standard Resorts do not include meals, drinks or activities, and guests usually pay as they go or start a tab for the duration of their stay.
Where to book Resorts
Accommodation comparison sites such as Booking.com have a large range of resorts, as do sites selling package deals such as Luxury Escapes. Alternatively, most large resorts will have websites where you can book direct (and often get a good rate).
Pros of staying in Resorts
- Convenience. Particularly where everything is included so you don’t have to think about where to eat dinner.
- Amenities- resorts usually have stellar amenities, with some even having rock-climbing walls, gold courses, 24-hour butler service and private beaches.
Cons of staying in Resorts
- Price- resorts are notoriously pricey compared to other accommodation types. You might get a great deal on a last-minute booking in some parts of the world, but it will still be more expensive than a hostel or homestay.
- Not leaving the resort- when you’ve got everything you could ever want in the resort, why would you leave? And no shade, that may be what you’re looking for in a holiday. But if you’re wanting to explore the city and try different restaurants, I would consider whether you’re really going to be making the most of the resort facilities that you paid for.
Hotels
The next price point down from resorts as an accommodation type (generally speaking, of course) is hotels. They are used by both business travellers and leisure travellers. Hotels have a fast range, from 5-star hotels that feel more like resorts to 1-star hotels that feel more like guesthouses. Depending on which end of the spectrum a hotel is, it may be quite affordable for a private room, particularly if you’re travelling in a duo. Hotels are generally pretty anonymous, meaning you can come and go as you please, and other guests generally won’t interact with you. This can be a major deal-breaker for solo travellers who want to make friends. If you’re trying to figure out whether to stay in hostels vs hotels, a great compromise might be staying in a private room at a hostel.
Where you can book Hotels
Booking.com is my go-to for booking hotels as they have a wide range and quite often you can get good discounts with their “Genius” loyalty program. Calling or Whatsapp messaging the hotel directly is also a great idea if you want to try and negotiate the price.
Pros of staying in Hotels
- Buffet breakfasts! While not every hotel has breakfast included, and it may not always be a buffet, getting a good deal on a hotel that includes a buffet breakfast is such a win.
- Privacy and anonymity- if your social battery is drained from travelling, staying in a hotel where everyone will leave you alone is the best. The privacy of staying in hotels vs hostels is such a bonus.
- Security- most hotels have the ability to lock yourself in the room securely, safes for valuables, 24-hour reception and phones in the room so you can call out in case of emergency.
Cons of staying in Hotels
- Hard to meet people- Most people in hotels will want to stick to themselves, coming and going from their rooms and not spending much time in the common areas.
- Activities and tours booked through hotels are generally more expensive.
Hostels
If you’re backpacking or looking to travel solo on a budget, chances are you’ll be staying in hostels. Hostel accommodation is generally shared dormitories, although many hostels also have private room options. Hostels often run events and activities and encourage social interaction and making friends. This makes them the perfect place to stay if you’re a solo traveller! This is the main difference comparing hostels vs hotels. However, not every hostel is made equally. There are different types of hostels, such as “flashpacker” hostels which feel more like hotels, and party hostels, which are… interesting places. If you’re looking for more information on the different types of hostels, check out my guide here.
Where to book hostels
Hostelworld has the widest range of hostels, and their user-friendly app makes it super easy to compare different hostels and pick the right one for you. Booking.com also has a pretty good range of hostels, and sometimes you can get it cheaper by using a Genius Loyalty discount. Alternatively, if you send a Whatsapp message to a hostel, sometimes they will offer you a better rate for booking directly with them via text.
Pros of staying in hostels
- Making friends! This is the biggest drawcard of hostels vs hotels, particularly if you’re a solo traveller.
- Affordable activities and tours. Hostels often have really affordable and backpacker-friendly tours and activities.
Cons of staying in hostels
- People can be inconsiderate. With so many shared amenities and spaces, you will quickly learn in hostels that some are just dicks. Looking for hostel etiquette tips? Check out my guide here.
- Can be hard to sleep in dorms if you have inconsiderate roommates, the hostel rooms are poorly set up or if you’re just a light sleeper.
- Security at some hostels can be a bit lax, meaning they don’t have rooms that lock or security lockers.
Guesthouses
Guesthouses are generally small businesses (often where someone has converted a house into a place of accommodation). They may have dormitory-style accommodation and/or private rooms. They generally function similarly to a 1-star hotel, as they are quite anonymous. I’ve never stayed at a guesthouse with a similar social vibe as a hostel or one that organises events or activities. Guesthouses are generally more affordable than hotels and hostels, but they are pretty much just a bed to sleep in and will often not have common areas or kitchens. If you’re tossing up between hostels vs hotels where you want the privacy of a hotel but the price of a hostel, a guesthouse is a great option.
Where to book guesthouses
Booking.com has a large range of guesthouses, which you find by filtering by accommodation type. Alternatively, you can find guesthouse recommendations in travel Facebook groups for the region you’re travelling to.
Pros of staying in guesthouses
- Affordability! If you want a private room (or even a dorm) but don’t necessarily need the amenities or modernity of a hotel, a guesthouse would be a solid choice.
- Anonymity. If you need a bit of downtime to work or re-charge your social battery but don’t want to spend much money on a hotel, then go for a guesthouse.
Cons of staying in guesthouses
- Lack of amenities such as 24/7 reception, AC, kitchens and common areas to chill.
- Security. As guesthouses are often smaller and converted from houses, they generally don’t have door locks, security lockers, or safes for valuables and may be in a location far from tourist areas due to price.
Homestays
Homestays are an accommodation type where you stay in the spare room of a house owned by a local person or family. Quite often, homestays involve culture-sharing and language exchange with your host family. Sometimes meals are included with homestays as a part of the cultural exchange. You may also be expected to help with cooking or laundry as a part of the homestay experience. Most people will book an occasional homestay to mix it up from staying in hostels or hotels and for the chance to get to know locals.
Where to book homestays
Booking.com generally has a few homestay options with reviews so you can verify your host family beforehand. Otherwise, travel agencies and hostels often offer unique homestay experiences in remote areas where they may not be hostels. For example, Peru Hop offers a homestay experience in Puno, and many travel agents in Ho Chi Minh City will help you book homestays for the Mekong Delta in Vietnam.
Pros of staying in homestays
- Cultural exchange! Doing a homestay and learning how people of a different culture live daily is so rewarding.
- Ability to safely stay in remoter parts of countries where there may not be hotels or hostels.
Cons of staying in homestays
- Isolation. If you’re travelling solo, staying in a small village where you don’t speak the language can be a bit isolating and challenging when it comes to ordering food and getting around.
- Not available in every destination. Homestays are a unique experience that is not available in every destination, so you won’t be able to stay in homestays exclusively while travelling.
Airbnbs and short-term rentals
Airbnbs are a tad controversial in travel communities due to the negative impacts on local housing markets and the gentrification of areas. However, it is worth mentioning that Airbnbs are a popular accommodation type, particularly if you want full kitchen facilities or are staying in places for a long period of time. Other short-term apartment rentals are available and can be more affordable than doing a 2-week stint in a hostel.
Where to book Airbnbs and short-term rentals
Airbnb is the obvious place to book airbnbs. You can find short-term rentals in travel Facebook groups or ex-pat groups for the region you’re travelling to. Alternatively, you can often book short-term rentals after you arrive at a destination. For example, a lot of people staying somewhere like Koh Tao while doing Dive Master courses book short-term rentals through hostels or dive schools.
Pros of staying in Airbnbs and short-term rentals
- Amenities like a full kitchen, cooking utensils and laundry facilities.
- Ultimate privacy to come and go as you please.
Cons of staying in Airbnbs and short-term rentals
- Contributing to the housing crisis in the local area and other negative economic effects of Airbnbs.
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