What to Expect When Staying in a Hostel
For those who have never stayed in a hostel before, they may seem overwhelming, or just outright a mystery.
So what is a hostel? A hostel is a type of budget-friendly lodging that typically offers beds in dormitories with shared kitchen, bathroom, and common area spaces. In addition to the kitchen area which allows you to cook your own food, many hostels have laundry facilities as well, which saves you money. The beds are often bunk beds in mixed or same-sex dorms, and some hostels have private rooms as well.
That’s just one difference between hotels and hostels. While hotels may offer more privacy, hostels encourage a social environment, so you’re more likely to engage with other guests and make friends during your travels. But it’s not just the people, it’s the memories you create that turns the experience into more than just simply sightseeing!
Why You Should Stay in a Hostel
Lower Cost
Got $500 to shell out per day for a hotel? According to the Hawaii tourism department, that is the average cost you’d be paying for a hotel on Maui. Hostels tend to be cheaper options, especially if you book in a dorm room! The majority of your adventures and the real beauty of the island is found outside of the four walls of a room, so why not allocate more of your money to enjoying Maui?
Planned Activities
Many hostels will offer free activities during the duration of your stay. These range from trivia nights and/or margarita nights to day trips and other excursions! We aim to offer these to our guests free of charge (with the exception of the activities that involve food) nearly every day of the week. .Jump in and let us take you to the famous Road to Hana, Mt. Haleakalā for sunset, drum circles on the beach, and more! This is also perfect if you don’t have a rental car, as some of these highlights are inaccessible without a vehicle.
Making Friends
Traveling solo? Don’t even worry about being lonely. The best part about hostels is that it’s so easy to meet people in this communal space. Maybe you’ll meet your new best friend on a hike with us, or even while brushing your teeth! At the end of your stay, you’ll have friends all over the map.
Helpful Tips:
Hostels are a shared environment, which means you’ll often be sharing space with others in the kitchen and bathroom, and— if you are booked in a dorm room— sleeping area as well. There are travelers from all different backgrounds and nationalities, speaking different languages, and with different cultural experiences and customs. Being kind, respectful, and open-minded will get you far. If this is all new to you, here are some tips to make this new experience an easy and pleasant transition:
Storing Your Belongings
Many hostels have lockers that you can store your belongings in. Some of them provide locks, but sometimes at an additional charge. If you are traveling with expensive electronics or just want to be careful with your passport and other belongings, making sure you have your own lock is key! Feel free to leave items behind the reception desk or in our luggage closet.
Earplugs/Headphones/Eye Masks
This is one of the most common complaints about hostels. Maybe other guests are getting up early, or coming home late. Maybe there is someone who is snoring and it’s about to drive you insane. Having headphones or earplugs for these situations help you sleep and keep you sane. Plus, if you’re jetlagged and need to take a nap during the daytime hours, an eye mask will help shut out the sun to get you all the shut-eye you need.
Clothing for Varied Temperatures
Some like it hot, some like it cold. And when it comes to what temperature to keep the room at, people often disagree. Air conditioning can quickly go from refreshing to freezing, so make sure you have some warm clothing as well. It’s also helpful to have your own towel. Many hostels offer these, whether for free or for a small fee, but they can be a makeshift blanket on chillier nights.
We hope that you’ll find this guide helpful to navigating hostel life, and if you decide to visit the Hawaiian Islands, look us up!
Your friends at Howzit Hostels, located in historic Wailuku Town, Maui.