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Abercrombie's Farrington Inn
Price includes breakfast, parking and unlimited local phone calls. Dorms, apartment shares and private rooms, (some with baths). Call ahead for reservations.
23 Farrington Ave.
Boston, MA 02134
(617) 787-1860
(800) 767-5337 (fax)
E-mail: info@farringtoninn.com
Web: www.farringtoninn.com
Network(s): RNA
Price: $21.25 and up per night
Bayridge
University Residence and Cultural Center; an elegant, safe, and enriching place for female students to live.
395 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 536-2586
E-mail: housing@bayridgeresidence.org
Beantown Hostel/Irish Embassy International Tourist Hostel
Downtown, free linen, pool table, four free buffets per week, TV, kitchen, laundry, bar and restaurant. Near all historic and tourist sights. Good public transportation. Free outdoor, gigs and movies.
222-224 Friend St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 723-0800
E-mail: BeantownH@aol.com
Network(s): U
Price: $25 per night
Bethany Union for Young Women
This is non-profit, dormitory style housing available for female students (18-30) in the Boston's Back Bay. Residents are accepted on the basis of financial need and compatibility with our mission.
256 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 266-0240
Web: www.bethanyunion.org
Buckingham Business Residency
Shared apartments. Short-term and furnished.
240 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-5510
Web: www.buckinghamresidency.com
CAJ House
Short term apartment rentals
45 Worcester Street
Boston, MA 02118
(857) 234-0713
E-mail: walter@cajhouse.com
Web: http://cajhouse.com/index.html
Price: $350-$460 per week
Furnished Quarters
short term, fully furnished apartment rentals
221 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
617-236-4908 (ph)
617-266-3976(fx)
http://furnishedquarters.com/
Global Immersions Inc.
Global Immersions Homestay is Boston's leading homestay providing comfortable and safe environments, including rich intercultural interaction with American individuals and families, for all visitors.
P.O Box 71
Watertown, MA 02471
Toll free: 1-888-924-2712
(617) 484-4055
E-mail: homestay@globalimmersions.com
Web: www.globalimmersions.com
Hostelling International — Boston Hostel
Dormitory style accomodations for up to 5 nights for international travelers who join Hostelling International ($18/year) at 5,000 hostels world wide.
12 Hemenway St.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 536-9455
(617) 424-6558 (fax)
E-mail: bostonhostel@bostonhostel.org
Web: www.bostonhostel.org
Network(s): HIUSA
Price: $32 to $35 per night
International Fellowship House
A family style community living environment for 20 male international students.
386 Marlborough St.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 267-0877
Web: www.ifhboston.org/site/ifhboston
International Guest House
The International Guest House accommodates students from around the world who have come to Boston to study.
237 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 437-1975
Web: www.intlguesthouse.com/
Prescott International Hotel and Hostel
A comfortable and safe environment with only 2 or 4 beds per room.
36 Church St.
Everett, MA (Approx. 30min travel to Northeastern Campus)
(617) 387-0732
Prices: From $25 per night
The Irish Embassy
Dormitory style accommodations. Cash and travelers checks only.
232 Friend St.
Boston, MA 02124
(617) 973-4841
E-mail: embassyh@aol.com
YMCA of Greater Boston
Dormitory accommodations for men 18 years of age and older.
316 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 536-7800
Web: www.ymcaboston.org
YWCA (The Berkeley Residence)
Dormitory accommodatinos for women 18 years of age and older.
40 Berkeley St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 375-2524
Web: www.ywcaboston.org/berkeley
Hostel FAQ
Although we have done much research in the preparation of this FAQ, the reader should understand that it would be impossible to define the way things are in all hostels. For this reason this, the FAQ, should not be relied upon as the sole source of information when planning your trip.
What are hostels?
Hostels are a unique form of accommodation unlike hotels or motels. They are unique in that nearly all facilities are shared with other guests. Rooms are dormitory style and are usually furnished with bunkbeds. Other areas such as bathrooms and lounges are shared, as well. This shared facilities arrangement keeps the cost per guest low. More importantly, this arrangement creates a warm and welcoming communal camaraderie between guests. Thereby a congenial atmosphere is formed that is difficult to describe to people who have never been hostelling. It must instead be experienced, to be fully understood. As Janet Thomas, author of "At Home in Hostel Territory" says, "The word 'hostel' does not describe a place; it describes attitude, a philosophy, a coming together of culturally diverse people sharing the wonders, high and low, of the traveling adventure." It should be noted, that if you are only looking for a cheap place to stay, you may find hostels are frustrating and seemingly unaccommodating places.
What is hostelling?
Hostelling is, in part, the act of traveling and staying in hostels. It's often called "backpacking" in many parts of the world, and it's perhaps best described as traveling cheaply with an adventurous spirit. The terms hosteller and backpacker are basically synonymous. Backpackers tend to travel for longer periods than the typical tourist. In many countries, especially Australia and New Zealand, it's customary for students and recent graduates to take trips of up to a year or more! While hostelling, you see the world from a perspective that the average tourist will never see. You meet local people, learn customs, eat local food and often have opportunities to do things you never imagined. Trips are usually only roughly planned without itineraries to allow for last-minute changes when something unexpected and exciting presents itself. Basically, backpackers stay longer, see more and do more for less money!
Who stays at hostels?
People from literally all over the world stay in hostels. The atmosphere at a hostel tends to be "youthful", but people of all ages stay in them. Hostellers are usually outgoing, friendly and welcoming to newcomers. Hostels are an excellent place to stay for people traveling alone. Many solo travelers use hostels as a way of meeting others and sharing the travel experience.
Do you have to be below a certain age to stay in hostels?
At most hostels throughout the world, there are no age restrictions. It is rumored that some hostels, such as some in Bavaria, will give priority to youths when the hostel is full.
Do you need to a hostel membership card to stay in hostels?
Officially, the answer is no — we have talked to representatives at a number of hostelling organizations around the world, and they all told us that they will allow guests to stay without a membership card at a slightly higher price. The largest hostelling organization, Hostelling International (HI), states that nonmembers receive a guest membership card. Using the guest membership card, you will pay an extra amount for each night until you have six stamps on your card (see "How do I get a hostel membership?" below), after which the card serves as a full membership card.
Unfortunately, a few HI hostels may not strictly follow the organization policy. Membership holders may get priority, hostels may be out of guest cards or stamps, a few have age limits at certain times of year, etc. If certainty is a priority to you, then getting a membership in advance and making reservations is not a bad idea. If you prefer to travel a bit more freely, trusting things will work out as hoped (as they generally do), expect an occasional bump in the HI road. We have not heard of problems occurring in hostels belonging to other affiliations. The most inspired hostellers never forget that HI is just one of several options for budget lodging on the road — and that non-HI hostels can be as good, as bad, better or worse than their HI counterparts.
How do I get a hostel membership?
This is a question we are often asked. First, remember that you usually don't need a membership at all. The great majority of hostels accept nonmembers, though you may have to pay a bit extra. Hostelling International — the world's largest hostelling organization — sells the memberships that most people are interested in, but you can stay at most HI hostels without one (there are exceptions, particularly in Germany).
Note that Hostelling International (HI), American Youth Hostels (AYH), International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF), Youth Hostel Association (YHA) and some others are all basically the same organization sharing a single membership.
One option with Hostelling International is to earn a membership as you go. This is done by paying about $3 (U.S.) extra each night to receive a stamp that is put on a guest card. U.S. citizens staying in U.S. hostels can earn a one-year U.S.-only guest membership with three stamps ($9). If desired, that $9 can be applied to purchasing a full, worldwide HI membership good for the same calendar period. All travelers who are out of their home country can earn a full HI membership by paying extra for the first six hostel nights and getting a card stamped each time. After you get six stamps, your card becomes the equivalent of an official membership and you pay member rates for the rest of your trip (good for one year).
Note that a few hostels do not support the as-you-go stamp-earning membership as they should — don't be shocked if there's occasionally some hassle getting a stamp or a blank card, or if a hostel is reluctant to give you member rates with your card complete (some in Germany perhaps). If you are 17 or under, HI memberships are free, and you should get one in advance. Ages 18 to 54 pay $25, and so actually save money buying on an as-you-go basis since nonmember rates are about $3 over member rates, which means your six-night earned membership is about $18.
Memberships for ages 55 and over are $15 in advance. You can get an HI membership in advance at most of the 4500 Hostelling International hostels around the world — you must buy one in your home country. To find purchase locations in your country, visit the Hostelling International Worldwide Hostels page. U.S. citizens can buy by phone using a credit card by calling (202) 783-6161. Council Travel and STA Travel sell memberships. Learn about mail and fax purchasing options in the U.S. by visiting the HIAYH membership page.
What documents do I need to stay in a hostel?
You'll probably need identification of some sort. Because hostels are dormitory style, more information is needed about guests than is needed in the private room arrangement of hotels. This is for your protection, so that if something happens the hostel knows who was staying in the room with you. Common identification used to stay in hostels are passports, photo drivers licenses and state or country identity cards.
Can I stay in hostels in my own country?
Yes. However, you should be traveling like the other guests at the hostel. Hostels will generally not let you stay if you are a local resident of the area. The logic behind this rule is that if hostels allowed local residents to stay, it would be full and not have space to provide accommodation for budget travelers.
Some hostels require guests be an international traveler and have a passport. If you plan to travel in your home country and stay in hostels, you might want to invest in a passport to prove you are indeed an international traveler.
How did hostels get started?
Hostels have been around quite possibly for over 1,000 years as a low-cost place for a traveler to stay for the night. However, the hostel movement as most people know it was started by a German school teacher named Richard Schirrmann in 1907. It was at this time that Nette School began providing overnight accommodation to young travelers. Each night, the classrooms were cleared of desks and chairs, and thin straw sacks were placed on the floor for the travelers. As was the custom, each hosteller in the morning helped to put the school back together and sweep the straw from the floor. The philosophy as stated by Schirrmann was this: "Suppose that the thoughtful young people of all countries could be provided with suitable meeting places where they could get to know each other! That could and must be the role of our youth hostels, not only in Germany, but throughout the world, building a bridge of peace from nation to nation!"
How many hostels are there?
Whenever we think "The Worldwide Hostel Guide" lists every hostel in the world, we soon find others we didn't know about. We estimate there are probably close to 6,000 hostels in the world today. They operate both independently and as part of larger organizations. The largest organization of hostels, Hostelling International, states they have nearly 5,000 hostels worldwide. However, we only counted about 4,000 in their books.
What do hostels look like?
They come in all shapes and sizes. There are hostels in castles, in teepees and in railroad cabooses. They are in historic locations and sometimes just in an uneventful sleepy town. Some hostels are huge, providing beds for hundreds; others are a single room in a friendly family home. Some are mountain huts that require extensive hiking to get to. Others are in urban jungles of towering skyscrapers.
What is the atmosphere in hostels like?
There are as many different hostel atmospheres as there are hostels. Each one has a different scene. Part of the adventure of hostelling is experiencing the variety. Sometimes you find yourself in bed by 9 p.m. and up at 6 a.m. with the chickens, gathering eggs. In others you may party until all hours of the night in a world-class cosmopolitan city and sleep until three the next afternoon.
What is a typical dormitory like?
Dormitories are where the people staying in hostels sleep. They are often, but not always, separated by sex. (Hostels that have mixed dormitories almost always have separate areas for changing clothes.) There are perhaps two to 10 people sharing a room with bunkbeds. Sometimes, particularly in the peak season, large rooms are made available for sleeping with as many as 30 people in a room. This, however, is fairly unusual.
Are hostels and/or dormitories noisy?
Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. A lot depends on the location of the hostel. Of course, if you are visiting a major city, you should expect noise in the form of traffic, street cleaning trucks and people. Many hostels in the country, however, are so quiet you can hear your heart beat.
In all hostels, although the custom is to remain as quiet as possible at night, you should expect a small amount of noise from your fellow hostel occupants. This noise occurs when someone gets up at night for a trip to the bathroom or possibly from an occasional rustle of the sheets. Most backpackers get used to these noises after their first few days hostelling. Occasionally, you may find yourself in a room with a snorer. The heavy sleeper will usually roll over to make things quieter with a friendly tap and a whisper. Occasionally, a hostel is situated in an area that's inherently noisy, such as over a nightclub. If you are concerned about such things, it's best to ask other travelers that have been there.
Are hostels clean?
By and large, hostels are fairly clean places. With the numbers of people coming through them they pretty much have to be. Now, this doesn't mean the floors are waxed and the silverware is polished, but the basics have been done. In many hostels, the guests are expected to carry out a cleaning chore in addition to their nights payment. Cleaning is a constant process at most hostels. However, every once in a while, you may find a hostel that has mildly or severely failed in the cleaning department. It's these hostels that prompt many hostellers to bring a pair of shower shoes with them.
The hostel custom is that all guests clean up after themselves. You will make things a lot more pleasant for other guests if you simply wash your own dishes, pick up your rubbish and generally leave things like you found them.
Do hostels have kitchens?
Yes, most do. Self-catered kitchens are another way hostels can save you money. Kitchens are usually equipped with basic cooking utensils, pots, pans and dishes. While it may not always be possible to cook filet mignon, you usually can manage spaghetti with the equipment available.
Where do I keep my belongings?
Backpacks containing nonvaluable items such as clothes and toiletries are usually left in the dormitory. Valuables such as cameras, passports and money should always be safeguarded. Theft is relatively uncommon in hostels, but we hostellers would like to keep it that way. Either keep valuables with you or place them in the hostel's safe-keeping facilities, which most hostels have. If you do have something stolen, report it to the management! While hostels are not responsible for lost or stolen items, you will be helping in the effort to catch thieves. Hostels usually keep track of the details of guest theft, which helps track down the thieves. Larger-city hostels sometimes have lockers in the rooms for your backpack.
Will I be safe in a hostel?
Yes. Having stayed in hostels in varied locations throughout the world, this author has never personally heard of any harm coming to hostellers in any hostel anywhere in the world. Occasionally, things are stolen. But if you are careful with your belongings, this shouldn't happen to you. Remember that the other guests in hostels are friendly, helpful travelers and not strangers, as some people who have never hostelled call them.
With that said, you should, however, use caution while hostelling in general. You are often traveling on foot or on public transportation. Sometimes you may receive a bad tip about where to stay. While hostelling, it's important that you be smart and look after yourself and your belongings. Be wary of someone who meets you at the airport and says they will take you to a good hostel. Do your homework and trust your intuition. If, on arriving at a hostel, you don't feel you will be safe there, by all means don't stay there. Find another place to stay. This is another good reason to plan on arriving early in the day.
Do hostels have a lot of rules?
This depends on where you stay and what you think a lot of rules is. Most all hostels ask guests to respect the rights of the other guests staying there. There are some basic hostel customs that are a largely unwritten etiquette for staying in hostels. As for rules, you should ask each hostel upon check-in what is expected of the guests. Most hostels will let you know whether you ask or not. Rules vary from hostel to hostel and might be as strict as "lights out by midnight" to "don't feed the cat
"
What is a hostel curfew?
A curfew is a time in which all hostellers must be inside the hostel and usually in bed. Many hostels no longer have curfews. If you find yourself staying at a hostel with a curfew and you return after the stated time, you will find yourself sleeping outside.
What is a lockout?
A lockout is a time during the day when the hostel is closed. Usually this occurs so the hostel can be properly cleaned. In small-home hostels, this is the only time the owners can leave their home to get out and do errands or see the sun. Most urban hostels do not have lockouts, but still most guests seem to be out during the daytime seeing the sights.
What are chores?
A chore is a small task that hostellers are sometimes expected to carry out during their stay at the hostel. Hostels have a very cooperative atmosphere, and everyone usually gives a helping hand whether or not chores are actually required. Chores are less common in city hostels, but still used in some rural hostels.
How do I figure out where hostels are, and if a particular hostel is right for me?
Primarily, two ways: guidebooks and other travelers. Guidebooks provide unbiased (usually) descriptions of hostels and their locations. Guidebooks should not be confused with hostel directories. Directories are produced by various hostel affiliations and almost always only list hostels in their particular organization. This can create problems when you arrive in a small town and your directory says there isn't a hostel there, when, in fact, there is one of a different affiliation. Or in cities when the hostel or hostels in your directory are full and you have no idea where another one is.
The second way to find out about hostels is from other travelers. In every hostel you will find others who have been there and done that. Ask these folks where they stayed in a particular town or city. Ask them what they liked or disliked about the place. Don't just ask, "Was it good?" What is "good" varies a lot from person to person. Some hostels have books where guests write comments about other hostels they have been to; these are worth a look.
Perhaps the best way is to use both methods, and others. While hostelling, you don't have a itinerary that was planned by a travel agent. You will be seeing "off-the-beaten-path" sights. For these reasons, you will be in charge. You'll need to carefully study all the information available, and make your decisions based on what you have learned.
What is the difference between guidebooks and directories?
Guidebooks and directories sometimes look so much alike it can be difficult to tell the difference. However, as an independent traveler, you will want the most complete and unbiased information available. As stated in the previous question, guidebooks provide unbiased (usually) descriptions of hostels and their locations. Guidebooks should not be confused with hostel directories. Directories are produced by various hostel affiliations and almost always only list hostels in their particular organization. Guidebooks are found in bookstores and receive their income from you, the reader. Therefore, it's in their best interest to provide the most complete information possible. "The Backpackers Guide to Budget Guidebooks" contains information about the guidebooks we know about.
Do I need to make a reservation to stay at a hostel?
Particularly in the peak travel season, it's best to call ahead to see if reservations are required or accepted. Many hostels do not accept reservations since, due to the spontaneous nature of hostel guests, the hostel does not know how many beds they will have available on a given date.
For this reason, it's best to plan to arrive in the morning. This gives you the best opportunity to get a bed and leaves you with options should the hostel be full or does not meet your expectations. This is particularly true if you are traveling to a popular city destination. At some hostels, you can reserve for other hostels in advance. Inquire at the hostel you are staying at to see if they can make reservations at any other hostels for you. Then do your research and see if the hostel they recommend is someplace you'd like to stay.
What equipment do I need to go hostelling?
Basically, you will need a very small amount of the same stuff you would normally travel with, plus a couple of extra items. Then you will need something comfortable and practical to carry it all in.
• Pack lightly! While hostelling, you won't find baggage porters, suitcase racks or hanging closet space. You will likely be traveling on public transportation and walking from place to place. Because hostels are in unique locations, they are often not the most convenient places to get to. Traveling light is fundamental if you are going to have an enjoyable time. Most first-time hostellers don't believe this advice, and almost always set out with too much stuff. Within the first couple of weeks, they send most of it home. Hostellers don't bring a different item of clothing for each day of the week. Some clothes are often worn more than once before being washed in the local laundromat. In some cases, the hostel may have clothes-washing facilities.
• Backpacks. The easiest way to carry your stuff from place to place is with a backpack. This is the single most important piece of equipment for the long-term hosteller. For this reason, when buying a backpack, don't skimp. Find a store that will patiently let you try on lots of different packs. They are all sized and shaped differently, so make sure it's comfortable. Good backpack stores will have beanbags or other weights so you can try packs on with something inside.
• Extra items. As I mentioned before, you will probably want to bring a few items you might not bring when staying in hotels. The main ones are soap, towel and a sleep-sheet.
What is a sleep-sheet?
A sleep-sheet is two sheets sewn together to form a sack. When you go to bed, you get inside the sleep-sheet. This means the bed stays clean and is protected from your road-weary body. Many hostels will rent sleep-sheets to you for an additional cost. Every hostel we have seen provides blankets. Other hostels fit clean sheets on the bed as well.
Can't I just use a sleeping bag?
Probably not. Many hostels do not allow sleeping bags. Because sleeping bags have lots of tufts and seams, it's easy for bugs like ticks to get inside the sleeping bag while you are camping and later come out when you unroll the bag in the hostel. Sleeping bags are also much heavier than a simple sleep-sheet and much harder to wash. So unless you plan to go camping, you may want to leave the sleeping bag at home.
Hostels FAQ adapted from www.hostels.com.