Hostels can be the perfect choice for economic and family-focused travel. The following is a guest post by a leading authority on family-friendly hostels, HostelBookers.
Hostels are great for children. They’re free to run around more than if they were in a stuffy hotel. You’ll save money by preparing nutritious family meals in the on-site fully-equipped kitchens. And family dorms mean you can all sleep comfortably in the same room cheaply, however many there are of you.
Planning: Make sure your children are at their happiest while you’re away by preparing them for their holiday – show them pictures of the hostel before you’re due to arrive to give them time to get used to the idea. Of course, like anything that involves children, you need to plan which hostel to choose down to the last detail. There are plenty of family hostels on HostelBookers available but some hostels just aren’t equipped for children and may have an 18-35 age requirement. Make sure you’ve read the descriptions fully before you book and if in doubt get in touch with the HostelBookers team for advice. Beware of balconies, beachside locations, roadside locations and other hazards when staying in hostels; some of them will not be child-proofed. Think carefully about whether you want a hostel with a swimming pool as generally they won’t have lifeguards. Instead, you could buy a cheap inflatable paddling pool and set that up for the kids to cool down in.
Hostels are brilliant! If you’ve never stayed in a hostel before you’re sure to find them more practical and affordable than hotels.
· Just like adults, children will get much more of an experience out of their holiday by staying in a hostel. They’re more likely to meet other children from different backgrounds and lifestyles and will be more free to explore but still within the safety of the hostel grounds.
· Some hostels have bars on-site – meaning you can escape for a drink in the evening but the kids will be safe in the knowledge that you’re just downstairs. Just like at home.
· Families that don’t fit in the usual hotel rooms can rejoice in the variety of set ups hostels have with dorms and private rooms.
· Many hostels have laundry facilities and this can be invaluable. You can wash and dry as and when you need clothes rather than waiting for someone else to do it. Waiting for them to dry in the warmth of the sun isn’t too bad either!
Money-saving hostels: Not only will you save on the overall price in comparison to hotels, you’ll save in many other ways too. In deciding which hostels to choose take note of the other facilities available, rather than just the quality of the bathrooms and bedrooms.
· A number of hostels have film nights, often with discounted, or even better, free popcorn or pizza. If the film is suitable for your family then there’s a cheap night in for all of you!
· Some hostels will organise discounted tours for you or may even have bikes and other sports equipment you can borrow.
· Many hostels offer free breakfasts which can be very helpful when you’re trying to get going in the morning. Rather than trying to get hungry children to a restaurant it can all be taken care of on-site. Even if they do charge it’s usually less than €5, which will be worth it for less hassle and a good morning feed!
As long as the accommodation you choose is child-friendly nothing else matters – but what will matter to your children is how much time they get to spend with you. By staying in a hostel you can share a room and enjoy the on-site activities on offer together. You can find some great family friendly hostels here.
