Forget about bulk beds, Irish backpackers playing strip-poker, loud Italian couples arguing over scorched tortellini and that northern English guy travelling with his pet cat Jordan, these hostels offer hotel-like digs at budget prices.
You may be thinking, after your last miserable stay at a dingy hostel, that your backpacking days are over. Nonetheless, while we believe anyone can do without the damp and decrepit confines of most hostels, these deluxe hostels, pimped out with concierge service, airport shuttles and rooftop pools, are grander than the average hotel and won’t dent your bank account.
1. Jumbo Stay – Stockholm, Sweden
WOW factor: Bringing a whole new meaning to the term “jetsetting”, Jumbo Stay is a hostel located inside an actual decommissioned 747-200 jetliner at the entrance of the Stockholm-Arlanda Airport. For just (US) $54 a night, you can watch flights take off from one of 27 sleekly designed rooms that contain a flat screen TV and Wi-Fi. Want an upgrade? The cockpit suite on the upper deck has the only private shower and bathroom with panoramic views of the runway. Take a full tour of the plane, right here.
2. The Bowery House – New York, New York
WOW Factor: While the Bowery Hotel is known for its high-end accommodation and celebrity clientele, the Bowery House offers cabins and bunk rooms starting at (US) $69 per night for those discerning (and in-the-know) travelers looking for the benefits of luxury hotel. Think rooftop garden, mahogany bars, and a prime location all for a fraction of the cost. The one trade off? You’ll be sleeping in a closet-sized room.
3. Hostel Equity Point – Marrakech, Marocco
WOW factor: Situated in the heart of Marrakech, this hostel takes great care to incorporate the exotic aesthetic of the area into its décor. Large white arches and bright tiles surround the central pool, while the rooms, which start at (US) $11, offer full bathrooms, fine furnishings, sofas and custom art. If you’re looking to relax after a long day of low-balling vendors in the bazaar, a spa offering a traditional Hammam and massages are waiting.
4. Posh South Beach – Miami, Florida
WOW factor: Coining the term “poshpacking,” this dorm-style hostel situated in the heart of South Beach on Collins Avenue offers A-list amenities like concierge service, a rooftop pool, airport shuttle, and a continental breakfast, all for just (US) $65 a night.
5. Generator Hostel Venice – Venice, Italy
WOW factor: Located on the waterfront of the Giudecca, this converted grain house oozes Venetian elegance with mosaic flooring, Murano glass light fixtures, and a 16th-century inspired fireplace. For (US) $20 a night, you get a stylish dorm room complete with ocean views, en-suite bathrooms, and access to the communal lounge, laundry, and guest DJ sets.
For more deluxe hostel offerings head over to www. thrillist.com