Hostelling doesn't have to be a hostile experience. In fact, it can be quite a green one. So forget the horror movie stereotypes, and read on.
At first glance, sharing a room with ten other sleepers may seem like the epitome of low-budget, college-aged-backpacker-chic. Sure, it may be. But beyond that, hostelling can be a greener alternative to staying at a hotel, and it can also be a fun way to meet people from around the world.
Most hostels are divided into two to three large rooms sleeping ten or more same-sex guests, and five or more smaller rooms sleeping one to five, available for booking by guests who wish for a more private experience. Generally, a hostel will provide a simple breakfast for its lodgers, usually free of charge. Most hostels provide group bathrooms and some room have en-suite bathrooms, if you're willing to pay a bit more.
When we break the above down, asking "how is this greener?" we get a few simple answers. First, sleeping in a "dormitory" style room - with other people - means that heating and cooling costs are kept lower and less energy is needed to keep the room at a comfortable temperature. Second, though communal bathrooms aren't necessarily the height of luxury, they remind you that taking a shower before you head out to see the sights isn't about luxuriating. It's about washing off the grime of the day before and getting out there - prompting you to take a shorter shower and use less water. Then let's move on to breakfast, to find our third greener habit. A communal breakfast - generally anything from an assortment of fresh breads, cheeses, meats, and hardboiled eggs, to muesli and yogurt, to pancakes, is almost always cooked in-house and in large quantities, reducing packaging and energy consumption. Food is generally local, so it doesn’t have to travel as far to your fork and it supports local merchants. And more often than not, a hostel owns a supply of china and silverware, so don't worry about lots of styrofoam and paper plates ending up in the garbage. Lastly, many hostels are not purpose built. They are converted from older properties which were already embedded into the fabric of their respective cities. Because of this, hostels often have a smaller carbon footprint, not to mention a smaller footprint in general (for example, imagine hostelling in a small British cottage instead of a sprawling Holiday Inn.)
Than let's talk about attitude. It takes a lot to run a hostel, keep it clean, welcoming, and bustling. Most hostel workers were hostellers themselves, and understand that guests may be on a budget but don't want to compromise on quality. The person behind the desk checking you in will almost always be able to tell you about local sights to see and how to get there on public transportation. Not only that, but many hostels have an inherently green attitude. I've been sent to vegan or organic restaurants countless times by friendly staff who simply recommend these places first because they may provide the best local fare in the area. Many hostels use earth friendly cleaning products, and let hostellers themselves control room temperatures instead of pumping in hot or cool air throughout the building.
* * *
If you do decide to hostel it, be prepared to spend anywhere from US $5-$75 per night, for a range of accommodations. Most hostel websites will mention if they offer free breakfasts or dinners, free internet, and other amusements such as walking tours or open mic. nights. Every hostel has a desk telephone and if you really want to know if you’ll be staying somewhere green, I suggest calling to ask about what the hostel you are considering does to help protect the planet.
Even if you feel like hostelling might have been the thing for you ten years ago but you aren't so sure about it now, give it a try. You might be surprised at the vivacity you uncover and you just might find yourself at a vintage clothing store or checking out a local band while holding an excellent glass of some local, organic microbrew you never knew existed.
Some highlights of my hostelling experience:
Albergo Paola, Florence. Colorful, comfy rooms centrally located in Florence, where our breakfast was brought to us in our room by the lovely owner herself. 011 39 055 213 682, http://www.albergopaola.com/
Shelter City Christian Hostel, Amsterdam. Though I am ambivalent as to the hostel's Christian bible reading, it is by no means a required activity for guests, and the hot, fresh breakfast served daily won me over. I suggest a private room here. 011 31 206 253 230, http://www.shelter.nl/content/view/19/49/
Redwood National Park Hostel, Northern California. Beautiful hostel in an old Victorian house just off of windy highway 1, right across from the beach. Hiking trails abound. 1-800-295-1905, http://www.norcalhostels.org/redwoods/
Hostelling International Portland Hostel, Northwest. Charming rooms walking distance from all Portland has to offer. Free pizza nightly from a local pizza joint around the corner. 1-888-777-0067, http://www.nwportlandhostel.com/
Green Tortoise Hostel, Seattle. Great location, right in downtown Seattle near great museums, restaurants, and sights. Super friendly staff. 1-888-424-6783, http://www.greentortoise.net/
If you're looking to book a hostel, you can book right here at RezHub.com. Just click on the Hostels tab! I also recommend
www.hostelbookers.com
By Heather Pennington
Article Originally Written By: Melissa Evans
