As a digital nomad, it is important to normalize hotel life + educate people on why this could be a great option for people who are working on the go!
Intro
Around the world, remote workers are choosing to stay in hostels over lux hotels or posh Airbnbs while traveling the globe. If you’re new to the world of being a digital nomad, you may be skeptical of hostel-life. You may envision hippy-backpackers, budget travelers, or a young Gen Z crowd. While hostels do serve as a type of paradise for these demographics, hostels are beginning to speak to a wider audience: remote workers and freelancers taking on nomad life.
A 2017 study by the WYSE Travel Confederation estimated that nearly 100 million travelers stayed in hostels globally. With the recent shift of working online and the estimated rise of freelancers to come in the next few years, working as a digital nomad is becoming a new sense of normal for people around the world.
On the surface, a hostel might be seen as a cheap place to sleep at night, but hostels can offer so much more to your experience working remotely.
What is a Hostel?
First, let’s go over the basics! According to Hostelworld, a company specializing in providing hostels to travelers around the world, a hostel is "budget-friendly type of accommodation that focuses on a shared social experience.”
Every hostel is different, but most offer a combination of private, co-ed, or shared dormatories. Bathrooms are dorm-style; large, with several shower stalls and a row of sinks. Hostels usually have only one or two bathrooms on each floor. If you are looking for privacy, hostels are not necessarily the most strategic route to take.hostelworld.com
Benefits for a Freelancer / Remote-Workers
Communal Experience
When most people hear “working remotely” their first thought is working from home, alone. Hostels bring a new found way of working remotely — being around a community of other digital nomads + travelers. Rooming with people from around the globe allows you to become aquantied with diverse peoples, finding their way through the world just like you. The energy is unmatched.
Affordability
One of the most obvious factors — affordability. Staying in hostels gives you a chance to see the world, even if you are on a tight budget. Dependening on your location, the price of hostels will differ, for example: England & Wales $10-$40, France $15-$30, Germany $25, Greece $15, Ireland $15-$35, Italy $10-$30, Spain $15-$25. In more expensive destinations such as Western Europe or the U.S., you will likely pay closer to $50 per night or more.
Coworking Spaces + Wifi
Yes, you are traveling, exploring, having the time of your life — but at the end of the day, most people are working digitally to make these dreams come true. Almost 99% of hostels offer free wifi, and newer locations have exclusive coworking spaces (more on that later). Make sure to bring a pair of headphones and put your concentration cap on, you may need it to get work done in these environments!
Amentities / Activities
Most hostels offer free breakfast and a fully equipt kitchen. Aside from this, hostels regularly offer activities like: yoga classes, surfing classes, themed parties, and more. Being able to have events happening around the clock, makes it easy to connect with your hostel roomies and meet other travelers in the area. If you are a true nomad, you know the best hostels with the best public events + activities!
Located in Most Major Cities
In almost all major cities, and even off the beaten path destinations, you’ll likely find a hostel to your suiting. For example, big cities like New York City, San Fransisco, Buenos Aires, Bangkok, and Paris all hostels to offer. Though, smaller cities/towns like Puerto Escondido, Mexico, or Taghazout Bay, Morocco, offer accomadation as well!
Hostels with Coworking Spaces
Being a remote-worker or traveling freelancer, it is can often be a deal breaker if you don’t have a space to work from every day. Lucky enough, Hostelworld put together a list of their 18 Best Hostels with Coworking Spaces!
9-5 to Digital Nomad
Looking to travel, but want a slower pace of long-term living, without missing out on communal living? Check out our guide to Coliving Spaces!
Ready to take on the world of remote-freelancing so you can become a digital nomad a travel the world? Read out guide to Freelancing + Digital Nomad life here!
Be open to new experiences, even the ones that make you uncomfortable. This is where we learn the most, set new boundaries for ourselves, and define what fuels our fire.
