"Hit the Sack" - First Edition (NYC)

With the danger of sounding too neat and concise in a blog where I have thrown conciseness to the wind, I would like to have a feature where I discuss cheaper ways to get lodging when you go on your trips. Really, aside from the plane ticket, accommodation is the most daunting task when planning a trip. $70-$80 might not seem bad for a couple of nights, but it really adds up. Also, those budget motels can be really skeevy. And "budget" can mean different things across the globe. If you go at the wrong time, you may end up paying way too much for a place that you wouldn't even consider back at home.

This is why I love hostels. They're cheap, clean, convenient and also a great way to interact with different kinds of people from all over the world. Most people overlook them, I think because they have this immediate image of a smelly, dingy place where people snore loudly at night or are having sex on the bunk above them. No doubt there are some pretty bad hostels (I've heard some horror stories about London hostels, so if I'm ever in London, I will not be hosteling there, just in case), but the way you avoid them is quite simple.

Hostel World is a great site that I often use to find and book hotels. Here, you can also see what each hostel offers (whether you get your linen free or whether you have to rent it) and see how different users have rated it. In order to avoid the problem of trolls, what Hostel World does is offer you the chance to rate the hostel once you've stayed there. I'm sure there are people who are dishonest about it, but for the most part you get a good amount of votes that give an overall percentage rating. And not just on one area, but on several different categories, such as "cleanliness", "character," "location", etc. It also allows for a comment box so people can elaborate on their experience. In under 10 minutes you can know a lot about the hostel you are considering and the area it will be in. Then, you can book it right there and you're all set! Easy.

Remember, though, if you go during peak times, hostels will fill up very quickly, so it's a good idea to book in advance.
Bear in mind as well that with a hostel you're basically getting a bed and some linen. There aren't many amenities, and if they are, they're communal (these things might be internet access or a free breakfast). Often the restrooms are dorm style and you may have to wait your turn. If you're nervous about dressing in front of people or doing your morning routine around other people, then a hostel is probably too cramped for you. However, many hostels offer private rooms (or on-suites) for a little higher price that might be a good idea if you're traveling as a couple or with a family.

Hostels are really just about having a place to sleep after you've been out exploring all day. Because, really, what's the point of getting fancy hotel if you're not going to spend that much time there?

For my New York City trip, I heard about this great hostel from my friend Romain, who knew of the place because his Norwegian friend stayed there. It's called The New York Loft Hostel and it's located in Brooklyn in the neighborhood known as "East Williamsburg". It's about a 30 min subway ride to Manhattan and it's very close to the L subway stop on Bogart street. I loved the building - it was an old warehouse looking place that had been converted into lofts so the ceilings were high and there was a ton of old brick and metalwork. It was fairly new as well, which was nice. I will say that the main downside is that for each room of 12-14 beds, there is only one bathroom! Very inconvenient, I must say, but we all managed somehow. Hopefully they will consider getting more bathrooms in the future. But still, at $20 a night for weeknights and about $23 a night for weekends, I'd highly recommend the place. It's such a great value for what you get. There's no way you could get a clean, comfortable hotel for that price! Plus, the hostel was very close to a great grocery store where you could buy the food you needed to prepare it at the hostel kitchen if you wanted to save money. We stopped by there often to get drinks and snacks for our daily explorations. I give this hostel a 3.5 out of 5, I think. :)