Hostels
For young travelers, students, backpackers, and people traveling on a budget, staying in an Irish hostel on their trip can be the experience of a lifetime. Irish hostels, and European hostels are world-known for being exciting, fun, and excellent places to make friends, trade travel stories, and learn about where to go and what to do.
In years past, staying in a hostel usually meant sharing a dorm-style room with several other people, and using a common shower and bathroom. Privacy and comfort were secondary to price. Although, cheap dormitory-style hostels do still exist, more and more Irish hostels are offering private rooms with ensuite facilities to cater to travelers craving a bit more privacy, but still not wishing to break the bank. Also, for travelers in small groups, many hostels now offer small shared rooms, able to comfortably house couples or groups of 4-5 people who don’t mind bunking up, but still wish to have a private room.
Irish hostels today offer many modern amenities to assure your stay is a relaxing one, and that your needs are cared for. Almost all Irish hostels offer some sort of internet connection. This can range from a computer in the lobby that charges a small fee for use, to WIFI throughout the building where guests can connect using their laptop. Many hostels also have a small restaurant or café, serving small meals for reasonable prices. If not, there is usually a kitchen that is available for guests who wish to cook their own meals (and clean up after themselves).
Irish hostels are always full of interesting and fun people who are backpacking through the country, and have great stories to share over a drink or dinner. For solo travelers, staying in an Irish hostel is a great opportunity to meet up with people, join a group, and make travel partners.
Irish hostels also are great places to find tours, receive discounts on entrances to clubs, museums, and other cultural events. The proprietors and employees are generally travelers themselves and are great sources of information about almost any aspect of the country or activities that are available, and are typically only too eager to answer any questions that guests might have.
It should also be noted that hostels differ on many of their policies. Some are world-known as ‘party hostels’ which may have a bar or terrace where they host nightly parties that can last until the last person goes to bed! Others have stricter policies about alcohol, noise, and even have hours where they lock the doors at night to keep the building peaceful and quiet. Depending on what you are looking for, each guest should carefully read the guidelines and rules of the Irish hostel that they are interested in.
Staying in an Irish hostel is a great experience, and one that can produce lifelong friendships. For many, so great is the hostel experience that they never leave, choosing to get a job at the hostel and living there for months or even years! Many hostels also have deals in place for students looking for reasonable housing while they are studying abroad.