Hostels: Not just for backpackers
Article By: Elizabeth Rogers
Comfy rooms, modern amenities and a
unique atmosphere -- all on a modest budget? If it sounds too good
to be true, take a second look at today's hostels.
Hostel or
hotel? These days, it's getting hard to tell. Once the
dormitory-styled domain of the 25 and under set, more and more
hostels have been expanding their offerings and their target
demographic. That means more privacy, modern perks and a wider
variety of options for people of all ages and families.
Why are
they becoming more popular and more deluxe? In part, it's due to
economic demands and a changing clientele. People of all ages are
looking for quality accommodations at a budget price.
" The
credit crunch is having an impact," Hostelworld spokesman
Aisling White told the Guardian. "A new generation of young 'flashpackers'
are looking for more luxury, but at the other end, 'grey gappers'
are using them too. They used hostels in their youth but want more
comfort now."
More
than just a bed
Though
hostels are becoming more like hotels, many offer experiences that
go beyond than the "usual" experience -- without a high
price tag. For example:
- Get some
fresh air. The Slane
Farm Hostel is located on a working farm in Newgrange ,
Ireland . About an hour outside of Dublin, this hostel is ideally
located for exploring the towns in Boyne Valley and their
attractions, including the historic Hill of Slane, Trim Castle and
Loughcrew (one of the oldest known graveyards in the world). This
hostel also hosts a variety of outdoor activities, including
hiking, cycling and golf. If dormitory-style accommodations aren't
your style, there are family rooms available and private cottages
located on the grounds.
- Go to
jail. At the HI-Ottawa
Jail Hostel you'll be sleeping in a former jail cell in the
heart of Canada 's capital. Don't worry: it's been converted to
more comfortable accommodations and modern amenities like laundry
facilities, a walk-in fridge, cable TV and internet access. You
can also sleep in the prison hospital, or rent the "Warden's
Quarters" for a private apartment stay. In addition to being
minutes away from Ottawa's many attractions, the hostel itself
houses its own museum about prison life. (Other
former-prison-turned-hostels can be found in Stockholm, Sweden,
Christchurch, New Zealand and Ljubljana, Slovenia).
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