{"id":8065,"date":"2019-07-16T14:00:43","date_gmt":"2019-07-16T06:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/?p=8065"},"modified":"2021-07-19T10:34:49","modified_gmt":"2021-07-19T02:34:49","slug":"yay-or-nay-pros-and-cons-of-staying-at-a-hostel-in-the-philippines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/2019\/07\/16\/yay-or-nay-pros-and-cons-of-staying-at-a-hostel-in-the-philippines\/","title":{"rendered":"Yay or Nay: Pros and Cons of Staying at a Hostel in the Philippines"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you ready\u00a0to tick off your next travel destination or staycation from your bucket list? Yes!\u00a0<\/em>Have you\u00a0really\u00a0<\/em>considered all your choices for accommodation?\u00a0Maybe.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Traveling\u00a0with your friends is a joy in itself, but when it comes to deciding where to stay, maybe you have more choices\u00a0for accommodation than your usual options\u2013just like staying in a hostel,\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>among others!<\/p>\n

\"\"Banaue Hotel & Youth Hostel \/ IMAGE Banaue Hotel Facebook Page<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to know more about it, read on, and we’ll tell you\u00a0the pros and cons that go along with it!<\/p>\n

What is a Hostel?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A youth hostel\u00a0<\/em>or simply,\u00a0hostel<\/em>, basically offers cheap accommodations originally for young people on a trip. The concept is said to originate from Germany in the early 1900s and was later on adapted in Britain as a way to offer low-budget accommodation for young professionals.<\/p>\n

\"\"Bunk beds at Secret Spot Siargao \/ IMAGE Secret Spot Siargao<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Now, it became a popular option for everyone\u2013not just for the “youth” but generally for those traveling on a low budget and are looking for decent accommodations, much like the idea of staying at a\u00a0boarding school’s dormitory.<\/p>\n

While hostels can still be categorized into luxury or boutique and differ from island to Metro, the catch still remains the same.<\/p>\n

You share the hostel with other people.<\/p>\n

Pros\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Affordability<\/strong><\/p>\n

One obvious advantage of staying\u00a0at a hostel in the Philippines is affordability. For backpackers on a budget traveling to Siargao<\/strong>, Php 450\/night<\/strong> at Secret Spot Siargao<\/strong> during the low season (June and July)<\/strong> is definitely a\u00a0yay<\/em>!<\/p>\n

\"\"Secret Spot Siargao<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Even their peak season (September to January)<\/strong> rate of Php 600+\u00a0<\/strong>is definitely not bad if you’ll be staying at an eco-friendly, serene hostel situated along the secluded part of Barangay Malinao<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Also Read: Secret Spot Siargao: An Eco-Friendly Hostel That Will Remind You of the Old Siargao<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

In the Metro,\u00a0Z Hostel Philippines’\u00a0<\/strong>starting rate of Php 799\/night\u00a0<\/strong>for\u00a0an\u00a0All-Female room <\/strong>and\u00a0Php 700\/night<\/strong> for an 8-Bed Mixed Room<\/strong>\u00a0is also an affordable choice for\u00a0a vacation.<\/p>\n

\"\"All-Female Room at Z Hostel\u00a0in Makati \/ IMAGE Z Hostel Philippines<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Access to clean household facilities and shared entertainment areas<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some\u00a0hostels have an operational kitchen you can freely use to cook your meals or to reheat food\u00a0you’ve taken out from the restaurants nearby.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bok1Hb-H7kc\/<\/p>\n

Further, other facilities you can share with other people include the\u00a0living room, laundry area (if any), and\u00a0a common bathroom.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/ByPSmhAnkCf\/<\/p>\n

Other hostels, mostly in the Metro, even have a game area where arcade machines and pool tables can be found, as well as co-working spaces for the busy bees.<\/p>\n

\"\"Arcade machines and a variety of games are available at LUB D in Hostel in Makati for its guests.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Co-working space at LUB D in Makati managed by Garage Society<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

While each of these areas is shared with other travelers, most hostels make sure to maintain cleanliness for that homey appeal.<\/p>\n

Breakfast meals are served<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although some hostels provide you with the liberty to cook your food in a fully-equipped kitchen, most accommodations also serve breakfast.<\/p>\n

When you’re on an island such as Siargao, most breakfasts served are farm-to-table goodness\u2013take for example Lampara’s healthy breakfast bowls.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BtwtMcol8Vy\/<\/p>\n

Some hostels, like the Youth Hostel in Banaue Hotel, even offer a complimentary continental buffet of toasts, eggs,\u00a0rice, meats, vegetables, and coffee\u00a0for breakfast!<\/p>\n

Also Read: Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel: An Old World Charm Offering Elegance In Every Stay<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"Buffet breakfast inside Imbayah Restaurant in Banaue Hotel & Youth Hostel<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Learn the world from the people you meet\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This feature\u00a0sometimes holds the most appeal for others. Staying on a dream destination makes this more amazing\u00a0as you meet worldly people hailing from different cultures.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Bw9X0MRF1fV\/<\/p>\n

In some cases, you can also share a tour\u00a0with them\u2013a win-win situation for everyone who wants a bit of fun!<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BvJIch2lEVm\/<\/p>\n

It seems you can also travel the world when you share stories with them.<\/p>\n

Cons<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Strange, Strangers, Strangest<\/strong><\/p>\n

Staying in a hostel brings you closer to people you don’t know, and for others, it’s just a no-no. It’s one thing you should consider before booking your stay at a hostel, more so when you’re a lone backpacker eager to chase the world but not so fond of the world chasing you.<\/p>\n

However, you might also like to consider hostels that offer private\u00a0suites, just like LUB D Hostel<\/strong> in Makati with their Junior Suite ideal for solo travelers or couples on a trip.<\/p>\n

Also Read: LUB D Hostel in Makati: Everyone leaves as a friend<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"LUB D’s privacy-friendly Junior Suite\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Not for the squeaky clean<\/strong><\/p>\n

Remember, bathrooms in hostels are often communal. This means although toilets are kept clean at all times, others still use them. In this case, you might not be as free to leave your personal toiletries\u00a0such as bath soaps, shaving\u00a0kit, sanitary pads, and others, as you would like to.<\/p>\n

\"\"IMAGE Secret Spot Siargao<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

No locks nor vaults<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unlike\u00a0hotels,\u00a0some hostels do not offer password encrypted vaults for your personal belongings. Some hostels often provide lockable drawers installed under your bunkbeds for you to store your things, but that’s about it.<\/p>\n

For heavy packers who also bring a lot of gadgets or extra cash, this\u00a0might not be enough.<\/p>\n

Not for Lovers of Grandeur<\/strong><\/p>\n

For lovers of\u00a0privacy, grandeur, and access to luxuries like hair dryers, bathtubs, and four-poster beds, you might want to skip staying at a hostel.\u00a0We don’t blame you. Who wouldn’t like a bit of luxury?<\/p>\n

\"\"Dormitory-type room inside Banaue Hotel’s Youth Hostel \/ IMAGE Banaue Hotel Facebook Page<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Hostels are for those who would like affordable and clean accommodations for a short vacation. In short, hostels are decent<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, you would have to do with a simple but friendly and genuine welcome from the receptionist\u2013nothing\u00a0too\u00a0grand per se. While others resemble\u00a0luxury, oftentimes for hostel patrons, the destination is more important than the accommodation.<\/p>\n

\"\"Bangaan Village in Banaue, Ifugao<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

So, if you’re thinking of\u00a0booking your next trip, you might want to\u00a0reconsider. OR try something a little bit more out of the box!<\/p>\n

\n

Sources: Youth Hostels Association (England & Wales)<\/a><\/em><\/span>
\nWritten by Chin Sanigan\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you want to know more about hostels in the Philippines, we’ll tell you about our experience and the pros and cons that go along with it!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1730,1729],"tags":[1431,1432,1437,1436,1438,1430,285,119,1428,1429],"class_list":["post-8065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture-and-history","category-everyday-life-hacks","tag-communal","tag-getaway","tag-hostel-in-the-philippines","tag-hostel-philippines","tag-hostel-philippines-price","tag-hostels","tag-makati","tag-manila","tag-siargao","tag-siargao-island"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8065"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8065\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8402,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8065\/revisions\/8402"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/tips-guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}