Keeping Busy When in Your Hostel

by Posted in Hostels

When planning their next trip, most people often forget that there is downtime when one will spend their time stuck in a hostel waiting for the next chance to get out. Travelling is fun because we spend most of the time visiting sites in the destination or being held up in meetings if travelling for business. If staying in a hostel when travelling, here are activities to help you kill the boredom, whether alone or as a group.

Online Games

Mobile and online games have changed the gaming industry with people now being able to play with others from across the world through their mobile devices as opposed to the olden days where individuals would play two-player games sat next to each other. Numerous online games can help you kill those hours. Online betting companies such as Bitstarz casino provide platforms where betting enthusiasts staying in hostels can wager on their favourite games.

Getting Creative

When at home, it’s never easy to get creative because we often spend most of our downtime relaxing and enjoying other people’s creativity by listening to music or watching movies. If you are a solo traveller and staying in a hostel, use this time to write a poem, letter, short story, paint, or draw to engage your mind. If travelling as a group, you can try to develop a game.

Talk to the Staff

We often do not notice the hostel staff, yet they are the ones who strive to make our stay in the hostel comfortable. If you have a spare hour talk to them and you will surely learn a lot about the area and discover hints on finding services such as transport and catering.

How to Make the Most of Hostel Experience

by Posted in Hostels, Services and Facilities

Hostels offer great accommodation options in many places you visit across the world. Newcastle is not an exception. In this City, you will find excellent hostels to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. However, not many people know how to get the best out of their hostel experience. This article provides some handy tips on how to make the most of hostel experience.

Cook Your Own Food

One of the key departures of a hostel from a hotel stay is that you can make your own food. When given this option by hostel managers, grab it with your both hands. Most hostels will provide the cooking essentials and all you need to do is to walk to the market and get the ingredients for what should be a sumptuous self-cooked meal.

Make New Friends

Hostels attract people from different cultures and national backgrounds. To make the most out of your hostel experience, make it a daily routine to meet and greet other people residing in the hostel. You will be surprised to learn new languages and strike friendships that will last long after you have left the hostel. Do not forget to get contacts so you can keep in touch with your newly found acquaintances.

Make Use of Hostel Facilities

To attract and keep their guests entertained, hostels have plenty of amenities to offer. These include fitness gyms, outdoor games, televised sports and so much more. To get the most out of the hostel experience, do not stay alone in the room wondering what to do. Don’t forget your gym wear and hit the treadmill for an unforgettable hostel experience.

Advantages of Staying in a Hostel

by Posted in Services and Facilities

Hostels provide a perfect escape from the routine of everyday life. If you like to vacation once in a while or even during a long weekend, staying in a hostel is a fantastic idea. In this article, find out why you should consider booking a hostel for your upcoming vacation.

Meet Diverse People and Cultures

There is no point in going for a vacation and end up booking an apartment where you end up feeling alone and isolated. If you really want to meet new people and learn different cultures, a hostel provides a viable alternative.

Easy on Your Pocket

Compared to other types of accommodation such as hotels and apartments, hostels offer a cheaper alternative for vacationers. If you are panning to travel and stay on a budget, hostels are just right for you. As much as they come cheap, hostel still offer some basic services such as free Wi-Fi, so you can always stream here on your tablet without much hassle.

Group Packages

Unlike a hotel, most hostels allow groups of people to share a room. This has several benefits; one, you cut down on the cost of accommodation as you can cost-share amongst yourselves. Secondly, staying as group is so much fun compared to the scatter mode of a hotel or an apartment. You can also cook you meals as a group, further cutting the cost of your vacation.

Convenience

Many hostels are located in busy commercial areas such as the near airport, restaurants and malls, making it convenient for you to find whatever you desire. You will not need to travel far for the essential services you may need during your stay.

Essential Hostel Services

by Posted in Accommodation, Services and Facilities

Hostels are a preferred go-to form of accommodation for most budget travellers. Staying in a hostel when travelling is one way to meet new people and make new friends. When booking a hostel, there are essential services and amenities that you should consider, which will make your stay in the hostel awesome. Below is a list of hostels’ must-have services.

Shared Kitchen and Common Areas

If travelling on a budget, preparing your meals can help you cut on the meals budget. With a typically busy hostel kitchen, you can interact with other travellers and learn how to cook new delicacies. A shared common area is another place to meet others and also relax when not in your room.

Security and Safety Features

Everybody wants to feel secure while sleeping, whether staying in a hostel, hotel, motel or apartment. Before booking, read through the reviews to know more avout the security and safety, which may include a front desk or support, if the rooms have locks and if there is a fire exit.

Lockers

The availability of lockers is another essential amenity that a hostel should have. The locker should be big enough to fit your luggage and important valuables. The lockers also help travellers organize their rooms, in order not to have to carry their belongings every time they step out.

Multiple Power Outlets

Most people carry several devices when travelling. These devices may include a camera, a mobile phone or a computer. Some hostels will offer one or two power outlet which may be frustrating, especially when you need to charge several devices simultaneously.

Professional Washing Machine

A professional washing machine is essential, especially for people who don’t like carrying dirty laundry when going back home. The machine will also save time for travellers because it takes a few minutes to wash and dry the clothes.

How to Choose a Good Hostel

by Posted in Hostels, Services and Facilities

There are many options to choose from if you are looking for accommodation in or near Newcastle. Staying in a hostel is one of the preferred choices for people who are on a tight budget but do not want to miss out on the beauty that Newcastle has to offer. It can be quite an overwhelming experience when you are trying to pick the right accommodation from the many search results that pop up. Some of the ways to choose a good hostel are:

Consider Amenities

Always look at the list of amenities that the hostel has to offer. It is simple things such as the availability of fast internet that make a difference. With a good internet connection, you can communicate effectively during your travels. You can also keep yourself entertained by playing online games such as the ones at MentalUp.

Look For Convenience

Before you choose the hostel, ask yourself how convenient it will be based on your plans. For instance, it might not make sense for you to book a hostel that is tucked deep into the countryside when you do not have a vehicle to go back and forth to the destination. Convenience also comes into play when you factor in what your itinerary looks like and how easy it will be for you to enjoy your stay at the hostel while carrying on with the activities.

Check the Price

The hostel you choose should align with your entire travel budget. You do not want to go beyond your budget in booking accommodation and then having to cut out some activities because you can no longer afford them. The good news is that if you book a hostel in Newcastle during off peak, you can get good discounts.

Factor in Reviews

You should never make the mistake of booking a hostel before checking for legit reviews and ratings. There are travel sites that are dedicated to reviewing different kinds of accommodation. Avoid hostels that have gotten poor ratings or the ones that have been subjects of scandals and theft.

Always take your time when looking for accommodation in Newcastle. It helps to ask for recommendations or use a travel agent.