Okay. I really, really, wish you’d post the name of the hostel. I’m familiar with pretty much every hostel in Oregon. I’d be delighted to give you my opinion, but I can’t if you don’t tell me where you’re staying. We don’t know your exact dates or what you look like, so there is absolutely no way of tracking you down. Even if we wanted to. We don’t. We just want to help you.

HOWEVER. In very general terms: I remember that you are a nervous traveler, and that you have a 25 year old daughter, so you’re not young. In your case I absolutely DO NOT recommend a mixed dorm. Find a small female dorm—and I mean 6 beds or less—or no dice.

here’s the thing: hostels can be great. I like several of the Portland ones. But mixed dorm usually means cheapest largest option. It usually means couples traveling together if there are any women in the dorm at all. If not, it usually means you’ll be in a dorm room with just men. There’s nothing wrong with that, if you are okay with it. However: go back to the cheap thing. What do young twenty something men like to do in Portland? Drink. Stay up late and drink. Come home drunk. I’m generalizing of course. But I’m telling you that this is a pattern of behavior I’ve seen. If you plan to be out late, and you can sleep through anything, then maybe none of this will bother you. I don’t think that describes you. But if I’m in a mixed or larger dorm, I don’t bother going to bed until after midnight.

Yes, all this can happen in a female dorm too. However, All female dorm increases the general average age and and decreases the likelihood your roommates will be night owl party animals. It increases your chance of sleep.

i have no idea what your budget is, but if this is Portland, check out McMenamins crystal hotel. Private rooms, bathroom down hall, fantastic location, soaking pool. Mid July varies, but I think the cheapest room is 140-is. It’s awesome, or at least compared to all of the budget hotels you’ll find at that price point.

Based on the OP's previous thread I think this may be the Bunk and Brew in Bend (seems to be the only hostel in Bend).

that’d make sense. My thought was that perhaps she’s flying into pdx.

The only place I’ve seen a breakfast pic for Bunk and Brew is TA, and I’d like to point out that it’s one of the pictures the hostel submitted themselves. So it might have been extra pretty for the publicity. On the actual site, it says they provide waffle mix, etc. So I wouldn’t be surprised if if it’s a DIY thing. That’s been the case at most hostels I’ve stayed at. My point is keep your expectations low. It might turn out good though—they’re a newer hostel that really wants to make a name for itself.

So: I’m still going to say you should go for all female or private room, Rachel. BUT. I know how expensive Bend is during the summer and if your only choices are literally a budget hotel and Bunk and Brew, I’d go with a mixed dorm there. I’d be less worried about drunken/noisy roommates there than in Portland because 1) Bend is more about the breweries than the club scene and 2) I’d guess your roommates are more likely to be outdoors enthusiasts looking for a cheap base.

And...I just saw the bit about needing a quiet corner to cry in because things are stressful.


NM. Changing my vote to NO on hostel. Or Airbnb. You 100% need a hotel room where you can lock the door and not worry about encountering anyone.

I think one of the reviews mentioned needing to fix breakfast yourself. Appears there was a bathroom shortage and a bathhouse is being/has been built in the garden. Rather a lot of one post reviews on the site I checked.

Agree entirely that a hostel, especially a small one, is no place for someone wanting privacy, unless you have a private room.

Yeah, I went to check out the place when it first opened. The bathroom situation made it a “no” for me. When they open the bathhouse, I might reconsider.

I’d expect they make bank off the day visitor thing. I don’t like it from the perspective of a guest, but as a camper, it’s certainly a service needed in Bend and one I’d probably use.

That would be great if that worked out, Melnq8!

The main reason I would’ve opposed Airbnb in this case is that I’m wondering if any places with sufficient privacy would be in the budget she wants. Judging on past experiences, I’d say no.

yeah, that’s a bit below what the decent budget hotels start at and what I assumed it would be. Her budget is quite a bit less if her options are out of town or a hostel. I’m thinking the place that she has booked is probably under 100, and options in July in Bend are positively grim at that price point. I usually camp. But your place sounds like a treasure! Is it walkable to downtown?

Well, your average hostel goer is a 20 or 30 something who tends to get in late and get up early. Check out times for hostels are often earlier than hotels too. So although I love hostels, I do think that they’re not for people who consider sleep really important.

does the hostel have a private room for your dates? If not, you could consider the four bed dorm, as long as you know that you might not get the sleep you’d prefer. Usually roommates are mostly considerate, and it is a small hostel.

airbnb varies widely by location but my guess is that 99% of the news coverage does not apply in a place like bend. I’m not saying you should reconsider, but I wouldn’t let the news coverage influence the decision one way or another.

I would prefer a hostel over an Airbnb for a few reasons:
hostels aren’t dependent on one host. There’s a staff.
Less privacy also means people are around if something goes wrong.
hostels, as businesses, have to follow fire code and health codes. There’s regulation.
Resentful neighbors are much less likely. Hostels aren’t usually in residential areas. I’m not staying in someone’s personal space.
i trust hostel reviews a little more—I think Airbnb reviews are inflated due to pressure to not receive a bad review as a guest.

however. I do think I Rachel’s case an Airbnb makes sense, and I don’t think she’s a good candidate for a dorm at all. But as you say, moot point.

Not sure where the OP is looking, but I just checked booking.com for mid July in Bend, and there were definitely hotel options well within the given budget with good ratings. Of course, it may not be Bend, and I didn't check for breakfast.

it varies a lot based on dates. But mostly what I’m seeing are the no name motels. It’s a place to sleep, at least, but not worth what they’re charging.

My guess is that she’s self limiting by wanting a specific location and the breakfast thing. Those cheaper motels usually don’t serve breakfast.