Touring - Hostels International - Is it worth it?

Does anyone have experience with Hostels International (http://www.hiusa.org/)? Is it worth the price of a membership?

I've joined before.
Quality really varies, some are very nice, some are real hell holes.

Yes, as a life member I think they are well worth it.

life-member here also!
it's been 22 yr since i last stayed at any of their locations, but for options, commeradery, and memory, these are a good choice! check out warm shower list (wsl.org) as well (free)

Does anyone have experience with Hostels International (http://www.hiusa.org/)? Is it worth the price of a membership?

Where do you plan on travelling? There are parts of Europe where hostels are the best low budget lodging option around, and the few dollars/euros/pouinds off each night's lodging can quickly pay for the year's membership fee. There are also countries where you must be an HI member to stay. Here in the US, HI affiliated hostels are thin on the ground and outnumbered by independent hostels, so a membership may or may not be financially beneficial. I used hostels quite a bit as a kid, I became a life member in 2000 mostly for the overseas trips that I do every other year or so.

mark

The only one I've ever stayed in is in Chicago...being a member would have saved me a few bucks. The one in Chi-town is pretty nice...crowded but nice.

If you can deal with the dorm-style, sleeping with a bunch of strangers in one room, sure. I will say I stayed at an Austin hostel for Ride for the Roses, and met some of the nicest people. If you're antisocial or a loner, forget it.

Some hostels have private rooms but they are expensive.

In parts of Europe, like Norway, they are the only reasonably priced accomodation outside of camping.

I like a mix of camping , hostels , the occasional B&B.

Ditto on Norway -- you gotta be nuts not to stay in the hostels when you're not camping. They're often very good and occasionally fabulous, and they're often fabulously priced in the local context.

Another example is Seattle, where the price and the location are unbeatable, IMO.

Hosteling can be a great opportunity to meet people from around the world. Just remember always: you could be sleeping in the same room with the good, the bad, and the ugly, all at the same time.

I would recommend going online at the HI web sites and checking out the specifics for places you have in mind. And then ask around for recommendations on specific hostels. College and university student travel centers are often a good source of hosteling information.

Where do you plan on travelling? There are parts of Europe where hostels are the best low budget lodging option around, and the few dollars/euros/pouinds off each night's lodging can quickly pay for the year's membership fee. There are also countries where you must be an HI member to stay. Here in the US, HI affiliated hostels are thin on the ground and outnumbered by independent hostels, so a membership may or may not be financially beneficial. I used hostels quite a bit as a kid, I became a life member in 2000 mostly for the overseas trips that I do every other year or so.

mark

I will be traveling in Italy. My buddy is a member so I assume his card will get us the low price but if I need to be a member to stay at certain places then maybe I should join?

I will be traveling in Italy. My buddy is a member so I assume his card will get us the low price but if I need to be a member to stay at certain places then maybe I should join?

I don't think his card will get you the discount, but if I recall correctly, you can join on the spot at any hostel. By the way, I found the hostel in Florence to be very nice. In addition, a number of hostels (such as Florence) have small camping areas as well. You can ause the kitchen, showers, and other indoor spaces, and then go camp in your tent. The price is less than that of staying in the dorm. At least that was the case when I was there.

I don't think his card will get you the discount, but if I recall correctly, you can join on the spot at any hostel. By the way, I found the hostel in Florence to be very nice. In addition, a number of hostels (such as Florence) have small camping areas as well. You can ause the kitchen, showers, and other indoor spaces, and then go camp in your tent. The price is less than that of staying in the dorm. At least that was the case when I was there.

Each of you has to be a member, unless you get a family membership. Best thing to do is join before you leave the US.

The Florence hostel is a beautiful old villa a few miles from the city center, but good bus access to the city center. The grounds are beautiful, the building looks like a palace, the inside is pretty institutional. Don't bother eating there except breakfast. You can reserve online, the HI website will link you to a page on the Italian hostel website. Wherever you stay in Florence, get your accommodations sorted out before you get there, and as soon as possible. Florence is an extremely popular tourist destination, and lodging isn't going to be cheap or easy to find.

Each of you has to be a member, unless you get a family membership. Best thing to do is join before you leave the US.

The Florence hostel is a beautiful old villa a few miles from the city center, but good bus access to the city center. The grounds are beautiful, the building looks like a palace, the inside is pretty institutional. Don't bother eating there except breakfast. You can reserve online, the HI website will link you to a page on the Italian hostel website. Wherever you stay in Florence, get your accommodations sorted out before you get there, and as soon as possible. Florence is an extremely popular tourist destination, and lodging isn't going to be cheap or easy to find.

Thanks for the tips. We will be going in late September so accommodations should not be much of an issue. But the Florence Hostel sounds great. I will be sure and try to book ahead a day or two if our noses take us in that direction.

I assume there is no smoking in the rooms? Other than drunken idiots making noise all night, I would think this would be the only issue for me getting along with others.

I assume there is no smoking in the rooms? Other than drunken idiots making noise all night, I would think this would be the only issue for me getting along with others.


Snoring is more likely to be the problem. Bring ear plugs.

The Florence hostel is a beautiful old villa a few miles from the city center, but good bus access to the city center. The grounds are beautiful, the building looks like a palace, the inside is pretty institutional. Don't bother eating there except breakfast.

As I remember this villa used to be Mussolini's mistress' residence. I spent Christmas 1973 there.

I've stayed in some great hostels in Europe (and in Canada too). Memories I wouldn't trade for anything, like spending Halloween night in a haunted mansion near Glasgow, Scotland (and yes, something weird went bump in the night).

If you're planning to cycle the Canadian Rockies, then the HI hostels are the way to go. 1 day apart, they are perfect for cyclists and Lake Louise is like a luxury resort compared to some hotels I've stayed in.

As I remember this villa used to be Mussolini's mistress' residence. I spent Christmas 1973 there.

I've stayed in some great hostels in Europe (and in Canada too). Memories I wouldn't trade for anything, like spending Halloween night in a haunted mansion near Glasgow, Scotland (and yes, something weird went bump in the night).

If you're planning to cycle the Canadian Rockies, then the HI hostels are the way to go. 1 day apart, they are perfect for cyclists and Lake Louise is like a luxury resort compared to some hotels I've stayed in.

Mussolini's mistress did live there, Benito kept his lady friends in high style.

I stayed there in May 1972 on a 10th grade class trip (I went to high school in Germany), and stayed there again in May of this year. I plan on being back in Italy, including Florence, in 2008, and will probably stay there again.

i wouldn't worry about getting a card, although i haven't been to italy. i booked close to 100 nights in hostels last year on www.hostelworld.com, most of the independents in europe are on there, and you can find exactly what you need.

You don't need a memebership to stay at a hostel. You might not get the lower rate, but you can often buy a membership on the spot. I have often rec'd the member rate without a card - just depends who is at the front desk.

My hostelling experience in Italy was very favourable - have a great time.

The only one I've ever stayed in is in Chicago...being a member would have saved me a few bucks. The one in Chi-town is pretty nice...crowded but nice.

You probably met me. I worked there for several years, since they opened it. I thought it was ok, but still a little on the crap side. You could stay at HoJo's for a few bucks more and have your own room and still be downtown.

Koffee