Believe it or not, budget can be beautiful. Travellers on a shoestring don’t have to resort to drab and dingy dorm rooms. There are an increasing number of boutique hostels that have upped their game and now offer stylish and cool beds for the night.In fact, even your mum/wife/girlfriend won’t fail to be impressed and with so many hostels now offering both shared and private rooms, you could even pull off a Valentine’s Day getaway at one of these.
Singapore, Matchbox the Concept Hostel
They are not fools over at Matchbox the Concept Hostel. They know that many travellers are tech savvy and come loaded with the latest gadgets and gizmos from Kindles to iPads. Their surprisingly spacious pod beds have a touch of the futuristic and come equipped with private reading lights and socket charging points.
Chicago, Chicago Getaway Hostel
Bright and bold colours have given this place a facelift so you can forget about the dingy dorm hostel stereotype. The hostel boasts a fab courtyard area complete with sun loungers and BBQ facilities. And the surrounding neighbourhood has a studenty vibe with plenty of hangouts to satisfy the curious and cool-conscious traveller.
Sydney, Bounce Hostel
Budget travellers will feel a million dollars soaking up the view and atmosphere from the Bounce Hostel roof terrace. Lounge beside the cabana, stoke up the barbie and pose on the funky animal print furniture.
Whistler, HI-Whistler Hostel
Movers, shakers and posers on the slopes will feel stylishly at home in the slick HI Whistler Hostel. It welcomed athletes participating in the 2010 Winter Olympics with solid and sturdy wooden bunks, roaring fires and a trendy TV lounge for the full après ski affair.
Split, Design Hostel Goli&Bosi
In the heart of Split Old Town and just a few minutes from the beautiful Diocletian palace, the Goli & Bosi hostel oozes slick style. Guests will appreciate the mod cons including secure pin code room entry system, the cool canteen, small dorms with en suite facilities and air conditioning, free Wi-Fi throughout as well as a cinema projection room.
Koh Samui, I-Bed Koh Samui
For beach chic, the I-Bed Koh Samui treats the humble backpacker to futuristic interiors, dorm beds with personal TVs, reading lights and socket points as well as the all-important air-conditioning. Ladies will love the privacy curtains around the bunks of the female-dorms. The sun deck is the place to grab a cocktail or a cold brew as the sun goes down.
Prague, Miss Sophie’s Hostel
Local architects are responsible for the cutesy illustrations donning the dorm walls. The bright rooms are kept tidy and uncluttered with under-bed storage and the cosy brick cellar is the place to chat with fellow travellers.
Marrakech, Equity Point
An oasis of calm in the centre of Marrakech’s bustling souks and maze of alleyways. Equity Point Marrakech observes beautiful attention to detail in both the Bedouin style furnishings in both the dorm and private rooms. The crowning piece is the stunning courtyard with central fountain atmospherically lit by candle light in the evenings.
Looking for something a bit different? Why not take a look at a few unusual hotels and feel like a prince/princess staying in a castle, cosy up in a cave or rock to sleep in a treehouse.