Hostels have a reputation of boasting little more than basic facilities – and shared accommodation.
But the best hostels in the world for 2018 have been revealed in this year’s Oscars for hostels, the ‘Hoscars’ – and many of them have private bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, wifi and even boxing rings.
The awards are dished out by Hostelworld.com, which rates budget properties around the world, judging them on value for money, location, atmosphere, facilities, security, character and cleanliness. The winners are picked after judges also analyse reviews from one million customers, made over the past year, of 35,000 properties in over 170 countries. Scroll down for the winners…
Best small hostel
The Sungate One hostel in Madrid, which has been named as the best small hostel in the world by booking site Hostelworld
The best small hostel has been named as the Sungate One in Madrid, where a night’s stay goes for as little as £17.
The property is praised for being in a prime city-centre location right next to the shopping areas, bars, cafes and restaurants.
Previous guests were impressed with the chilled out common area and the fully equipped kitchen.
Best medium hostel
The best medium-sized property is named as Soul Kitchen in St Petersburg, Russia, where rooms are as little as £11 per night
With glamorous en-suite private rooms, bijou custom bunk beds and super-chic decor, the best medium-sized hostel is named as Soul Kitchen in St Petersburg, Russia.
The property previously won the small hostel category in 2016 and 2017 but has recently undergone an expansion, and prices for rooms can go for as little as £11 per night.
Best large hostel
The Start Hostel Taipei Main Station has been named the best large hostel and is ideally located from the main train station
The Start Hostel Taipei Main Station has been named the best large hostel with Hostelworld describing it as the ‘perfect place to unwind in after a long day of sight-seeing’.
The hostel is a five-minute walk from Taipei Main Station and only seven minutes away from Air Port MRT.
Guests also praised the location as it is within walking distance to Ning-xia night market, the much-loved Di-hua old street and Tai-yuan shopping streets, the theatre and the mall.
Best extra large hostel
The Lub D Phuket Patong hostel in Thailand is praised for its large see-through swimming pool and unique Thai boxing ring
The Lub D Phuket Patong hostel in Thailand has been named the best extra large property in the Hostelworld awards.
Guests were impressed by the large see-through swimming pool and also it has a huge terrace for sunbathing and cocktails.
Also highly praised is the huge common area, games area and also a unique Thai boxing ring.
Best new hostel
Winner of the best new hostel is the Faloe in Malaysia, pictured, which guests say has a relaxing atmosphere and a spotless interior
Winner of the best new hostel is the Faloe in Malaysia, which guests say has a relaxing atmosphere, spotless interior and is in a central location in Kota Kinabalu.
The hostel has three mixed gender and female-only dorms, all with air conditioning.
Each bed also has a private space with a locker, cupboard, international power plugs and a reading light.
Best hostel for groups
In a new category for 2018, Hostelworld has named the ClinkNOORD in Amsterdam, pictured, as the best hostel for groups
In a new category for 2018, Hostelworld has named the ClinkNOORD as the best hostel for groups.
Located in the culturally vibrant area of Amsterdam Noord, just 10 minutes from the back of Amsterdam Centraal Station, it’s described as the ideal option for groups of people looking for an adventure.
Guests have praised the Dutch-style interiors and a friendly, laid back atmosphere and the hostel offers dormitory accommodation, private rooms, free Wi-Fi throughout the building and a buffet breakfast for seven euros.
Best hostel in England
Taking the top spot for best hostel in England is the YHA in Liverpool, which is right in the heart of the city centre
Taking the top spot for best hostel in England is the YHA in Liverpool, which is right in the heart of the city centre.
Backpackers were impressed with the hostel being just a stone’s throw away from the historic Albert Docks, museums and the Beatles Story.
Other close-by attractions include the Mersey ferry terminal, which is a short walk away.
Best hostel in Scotland
The Castle Rock Hostel, just beside Edinburgh Castle, bagged the number one spot for the best hostel in Scotland category
The Castle Rock Hostel, just beside Edinburgh Castle, bagged the number one spot for the best hostel in Scotland category.
Hostelworld describes the property as oozing with character with a mix of grandeur along with a backpackers’ vibe.
Many of the rooms are themed, which are often described by guests as ‘lovely and warm’.
Best hostel in Wales
The best hostel in Wales is the River House in the centre of Cardiff, which is family owned and run by a brother and sister
First in the best hostel in Wales category is the River House, in the centre of Cardiff.
The hostel is family owned and run by a brother and sister team giving it a very warm feel.
Guests were impressed by the location as it is just a five-minute walk from buses, trains and attractions.
Best hostel in Ireland
The Galway City Hostel leads the Best Hostel in Ireland category as guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, printing, breakfast, maps, event guides and luggage storage
The Galway City Hostel leads the best hostel in Ireland category and is described as the ‘perfect starting point’ to explore all the attractions that Galway has to offer.
Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, printing, breakfast, maps, event guides and luggage storage.
Best hostel in USA
The best hostel in the USA has been named as the Auberge NOLA Hostel in New Orleans, which has Netflix and a cinema room
The best hostel in the USA has been named as the Auberge NOLA Hostel in New Orleans.
It is praised for providing a wide range of complimentary services from free breakfast to social events.
The hostel is described as being full of fun with Netflix, games and a cinema room.
Best hostel in Australia
The best hostel in Australia is the Traveller’s Oasis in the northern resort of Cairns, which is described as a great base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef
The best hostel in Australia is the Traveller’s Oasis in the northern resort of Cairns.
It is described as a ‘relaxed, home-like hostel’ and is a great base for exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
It features a swimming pool and an outdoor terrace for a true Australian BBQ while it is ideally located next to Cairns Central station.
Best hostel in France
Pariscoree, pictured, is the No1 hostel in France partly because of its proximity to many of Paris’s major attractions
It’s Pariscoree that takes pole position in the Best Hostel in France category. A ‘cosy, attractive hostel’ in Paris just one minute away from Metro line 7 station, Le Kremin-Bicêtre, it’s super close to the centre of the bustling city.
Just 15 minutes by metro from the Louvre and Notre Dame and 20 minutes from the Opera, it’s ‘the ideal spot for exploring everything Paris has to offer’, says Hostelworld.
Best hostel in Colombia
El Rio Hostel wins Most Popular Hostel in Colombia and it’s easy to see why it’s so loved, says Hostelworld. It’s set right in the middle of a stunning jungle, with some of Colombia’s best beaches just a 30-minute walk away
New cities have been added to the Most Popular Hostel category this year with Colombia’s Bogota, Medellin, Santa Marta and Cartagena featuring in the list for the first time.
El Rio Hostel wins Most Popular Hostel in Colombia and it’s easy to see why it’s so loved, says Hostelworld. Set right in the middle of a stunning jungle, with some of Colombia’s best beaches just a 30-minute walk away, the hostel can organise surf board rentals and lessons.
Palomino is just up the road, Tayrona National Park is 25 minutes away and the Lost City pickup point only a 10-minute walk.
- For a full list of winners click here.