In recent years, the lines between hostels and hotels have become increasingly blurred. More hostels are catering to families, couples, and even business travelers—especially those in Europe that feature a chic, modern design. Nowadays there’s a hostel for every type of traveler, from luxury hostels, adventure hostels, party hostels to family hostels. Forenom’s B2B hostels, for example, provide comfortable accommodation for project workers while also meeting their functional needs. The most noticeable differences between hostels and hotels these days is the price and sometimes the number of beds in each room.
Whether you’re a remote worker visiting your head office, bootstrapping a startup and want to save on accommodation or looking for business accommodation for a group of 20 project workers, staying at a high-end hostel might be your more affordable option. In this article, we look at five compelling reasons why you should stay in a hostel for your next trip and we’ll share some tips to help you have the most comfortable stay.
1. It’s cheap accommodation
Business accommodation is one of the most costly aspects of travel. With inflation running rampant and budgets tightening up, an affordable hostel stay will make whoever is in charge of your finances sigh with relief. (…and If you’re a startup founder, that sigh of relief might just be your own.) Staying in a hostel can save you money in three different ways:
1) The longer you stay, the cheaper the nightly rate gets. For long stays, the savings can be significant compared to the fixed night prices of hotels.
2) As you don’t have to eat in restaurants every day, you can save good money by doing your grocery shopping and cooking your own meals in the kitchen.
3) A perk of staying in a hostel is that they are normally conveniently located. Often B2B hostels are set up in the city center but they can also be in remote locations near working sites, in nature or close to the airport. Save time and money on transportation by choosing your hostel in an area that suits you best.
Pro tip: Maybe sharing a room with others isn’t your thing but you want to have the city hostel experience. No problem! Many hostels offer private bedrooms these days. Some even come with en-suite bathrooms. These rooms provide more privacy for individuals, couples, or small groups. Take note they can book up quickly so, if you want to book a hostel for your next business trip accommodation and want the convenience of your own lock and key, secure your spot in advance.
Related post: 5 ways to save on accommodation
2. Having extra amenities available at a hostel is a plus
Modern-day hostels offer a range of extra amenities and facilities to enhance the comfort and convenience of guests. While the specific amenities can vary depending on the hostel and country or city you’re in, here are some common offerings you may find:
Free Wi-Fi: Most hostels provide complimentary Wi-Fi access to guests, allowing you to stay connected to your family, colleagues, and browse the internet.
Common Areas: Hostels typically have spacious common areas where you can relax, socialize, and connect with fellow travelers. These areas may include lounges, TV rooms, or outdoor spaces like gardens or rooftop terraces.
Local services nearby:Some hostels have services nearby where you can grab a quick snack or drink without having to venture too far from the premises. This is a convenient option for socializing and meeting other business travelers. Some hostels are located to nearby bicycle rentals allowing you to explore the surrounding area or city conveniently and at your own pace.
Self-Catering Facilities:Many hostels have communal kitchens equipped with cooking appliances, utensils, and dining areas. This allows you to prepare your own meals and save money you’d otherwise spend dining out.
Laundry Facilities: Laundry facilities, including washers and dryers, are often available in hostels. Being able to wash your clothes during your stay is particularly useful for longer trips.
Pro tip: Amenities differ from hostel to hostel. We recommend you do some research ahead of time to see what’s available to you and what may be at additional costs.
3. It’s a great way to meet people and network while traveling
Traveling can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be somewhat lonely and isolating if you don’t have anyone to share it with. That’s why networking and making friends with other travelers can enhance your trip and open up unforeseen opportunities. One of the major benefits of staying in a hostel is that you get to meet people from all over the world. While in a hotel you usually stay in a relatively small room and keep to yourself, people who stay in hostels are often travelers eager to meet others. Unlike a hotel where everyone hangs out in their room, people tend to socialize in common areas in hostels.
Pro tip: Hostels have a sense of community so don’t be shy to start a conversation with other guests. However, it’s also important to respect diversity and boundaries. You will meet people from different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, and personalities. Be respectful, tolerant, and open-minded.
4. The staff is helpful and mostly local
Travel guides and walking tours are certainly a good way to learn about a country, but you sometimes have to dig a bit deeper in order to really learn about the culture of the place you’re visiting. Who knows about the culture better than someone who’s grown up in it?
Many hostels are small and privately owned which means the staff working there are likely to be local to the area. People who live there can teach you about deeper aspects of the culture and help you to understand their lives. Explore a new environment in ways that you just wouldn’t be able to from a guidebook or tour.
Pro tip: Locals know better than anyone how to get around the place they live in. Don’t be afraid to ask for their insider knowledge. You could save time and money, as well as not get lost while traveling.
5. You’ll travel in a more sustainable way
Whilst travel and tourism generate great benefits for local areas in terms of industry, providing jobs and boosting the economy, the ongoing impact of travel on the environment is becoming increasingly significant, particularly in contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. According to a 2022 report by a reputable sustainability compliance specialist, Bureau Veritas and hostelworld, hostels emit three-quarters less carbon (tCO2e) than hotels. So not only are hostels a way to connect with people from around the world and share unique experiences, but they also represent a more sustainable accommodation choice regarding greenhouse gas emissions.
Sharing a hostel room with others also means you contribute to creating a better planet by consuming less energy than you would in a private hotel room. Rather than switching the lights on for one person in the morning, you are switching them on for ten people. Rather than turning on ten bulbs in 10 different rooms, you are turning on just one.
So, choosing the type of accommodation is an important factor in the process of improving the sustainability of one’s business travels. In many ways, hostels are a more environmentally responsible and sustainable lodging choice than conventional hotels.
Easily book your next hostel business stay with Forenom online
If you’re a business traveler or project worker looking for a unique, comfortable, and cost-effective accommodation option, booking a hostel with Forenom is an excellent route to take. In our portfolio of over 9000 accommodations across the Nordic countries, we supply a wide range of high-quality hostels.
These combine the affordability of traditional hostels with the comfort of modern amenities, perfectly suited to the needs of the modern business traveler. Whether you’re traveling solo or in a group, we’ll provide a range of options, from private rooms to shared spaces, offering you flexibility. Our user-friendly website makes the booking process a breeze, and with properties in top locations across the Nordic region, you’re bound to find a hostel conveniently located near your business destination. For a hassle-free, comfortable, and economical business trip, trust Forenom for your accommodation needs.
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