Staying At Hostels, Dorms Is A Great Way To Save
Q. Friends who took a car trip this summer said they stayed at youth hostels and hotel dorms and saved a lot of money. Please comment on this way to travel.
A. Hostels are certainly money savers, very good buys for the kinds of travelers they attract. There are hundreds of hostels in North America and thousands more all over the world, and they are not only for young travelers.
For membership information or a free brochure, Hostelling Map of the USA, contact HI-AYH Map Brochure, 733 15th St., NW, Suite 840, Washington D.C. 20005; 202-783-6161.
Rates start at $12 a night for U.S. hostels and all ages can stay there. Most offer dorm-style accommodations, separate rooms for men and women, self-service kitchens, common rooms and dining areas.
Some also offer private rooms that can be reserved in advance. A few have swimming pools, laundry facilities, bike and ski rentals, and programs such as walking tours. For example, one of the two hostels in the Orlando area is a former motel in Kissimmee, near Walt Disney World, complete with pool and other amenities.
For those who prefer more privacy than most hostels offer and don’t want to watch television in a group lounge, this is not the way to go.
Other cost-cutting options are YMCAs or college dorms during college vacation periods. Thousands of them and other budget places are listed in a Budget Lodging Guide, $16.95 including shipping and handling, B&J Publications, PO Box 5486, Fullerton, CA 92635; call 800-525-6633 for credit card orders. This book is also available in some campus and retail bookstores.
As for college dorms, be sure to check ahead, don’t rely on finding rooms, and carry your own towels. I once checked out a similar publication by phoning colleges listed as having summer dorm room rentals and found that in many cases, either the rooms were all booked by alumni or rooms were no longer rented. I’ve heard complaints about dirty dorms and lack of air conditioning.
The guide lists 400 YMCAs worldwide that offer lodging and in most cases economical on-site food service for men, women and families.
Among the overseas YMCAs that I have observed are those in Jerusalem and Hong Kong, both located adjacent to famous upscale hotels. I heard nothing but good reviews from travelers who had stayed at them.