I feel fortunate and deeply grateful for having had several opportunities to travel solo when I was in my 20s. Back then, I wanted to grow, but I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone. I was adventurous, restless, and eager to meet people from around the world. But I was also budget-conscious. Where did I find like-minded individuals? At youth hostels, of course!
Accommodations were nothing fancy: a bunk bed, a shared bathroom, and maybe a kitchen. There was always noise and people milling about. It wasn’t the place to be if you wanted your beauty rest. But it didn’t matter. It was all about the experience!
While planning an upcoming trip, one of the travel websites I visited suggested staying in a hostel. I didn’t wax nostalgic, though. My knee-jerk reaction instead was: “I’m too old for hostels!”
What can I say? I’m in my forties now (I turn 46 this month) and I prefer to slip into my comfort zone of silent moments, more space, and a slower pace. Less allegro, more andante.
I guess I just feel like… I wouldn’t fit in anymore with the younger travelers: bright-eyed, curious, carefree, and full of wanderlust and boundless energy!
Seriously, though. Am I too old to stay in a youth hostel?
No, of course not! Many hostels have even dropped “youth” from “youth hostel” in order to attract travelers both young and young-at-heart.
Although hostels can set a minimum age requirement, like age 16, there is no age cap, as far as I know!
If you are flexible, don’t mind noise, can do some light cooking, and are OK with the idea of sharing (a communal bathroom and a dorm room with 3 or more people), then hostels may be a good option for you!
Need a place to stay while visiting Paris? Washington, DC? Montréal? Consider staying in these three hostels:
Washington International Student Center
Auberge Alternative du Vieux-Montréal
What I gather from the reviews and photo galleries on these three hostels’ respective websites is that they have only gotten better over the years: new and improved rooms, bathrooms, furniture, lockers, dining areas, and more!
I like what I see… Who knows? I may just book a hostel for my upcoming trip after all and give it another go! Still so much to experience out there…
Tell me in the comments: When you travel, what type of accommodations do you prefer, and why?
Bonjour: A Francophile Blog 
I’ve stayed in three hostels in my lifetime. One in Paris, one in Nice and one in Amsterdam. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely budget friendly. I don’t think I could ever stay in one again because I’m spoiled now. I would however recommend it to the youth of today. It was an experience I will never forget.
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Fantastic! I’d love to hear more about your stays in Paris, Nice, and Amsterdam. I agree, I’d also recommend staying in a hostel (at least once) for the experience. Because it’s a short-term stay, everyone makes the most of their time together, truly living in the moment. Good times! Well, except the time I stayed in a Boston hostel. The city and people were nice, but they ran out of blankets and I had to sleep with my big coat on. A learning experience, nevertheless!
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I stayed in hundreds of hostels when I was in my twenties, and was really happy with most of them. Since then, I’ve been staying mostly in inexpensive hotels or in hybrid hostel-hotels, where it is possible to book single, double or family rooms with what the British call “en suite facilities”, i.e. private bathroom and toilet.
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Hybrid hostel-hotels sound interesting! I’ll have to look into those. Tell me more: do you have any recommendations for one or two hostel-hotels (in any city) that really impressed you?
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I’ve stayed in hostel-hotels in Dortmund and Münster, and something similar in Bielefeld. There is at least one chain of these in Germany, and they all seem to be more or less the same.
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Thanks, Don!
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When I was a student, I always stayed in youth hostels and loved them. Now I’m ‘une femme d’un certain âge’ (!) I like my home comforts too much. I’m so glad I had the experience of staying in hostels because it’s a great way of meeting people. My sons (in their 20s) tend to do Airbnb. I know hostels have changed a great deal and are family friendly these days.
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Would love to know more about your sons’ experiences with Airbnb! I agree, the common areas in hostels are fun – a great way to meet other travelers!
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