What is a hostel like?
Jun 23rd, 2019, 12:47 PM
#22
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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.
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.
Jun 23rd, 2019, 01:06 PM
#24
She won't know unless she looks and, as mentioned, I've had good success in that regard. But time's a'wastin'.
Jun 23rd, 2019, 01:18 PM
#25
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Jun 23rd, 2019, 03:30 PM
#27
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The site ate my reply, grr.
Thank you all for your replies and for providing basic knowledge. A couple of weeks ago I thought "hostel" was a typo autocorrect didn't catch, so I know very little. I still don't know how to pronounce it.
I had not thought of the party angle. That is a consideration as I'm grumpy when unwillingly awake.
My budget was up to $135ish, pre-tax, for a place with breakfast, as cheap fast food is about $10, and the irritation of looking for food on an empty stomach in a strange place first thing in the morning is worth money to me. But there's just nothing. Hotels.com says that the high 90s percent is already booked in the area. I've been checking twice a week, hoping some cancellation was posted, but I'm not finding anything.
I'm not considering AirBnB as I've read some bad things in the news about it.
Thank you all for your replies and for providing basic knowledge. A couple of weeks ago I thought "hostel" was a typo autocorrect didn't catch, so I know very little. I still don't know how to pronounce it.
I had not thought of the party angle. That is a consideration as I'm grumpy when unwillingly awake.
My budget was up to $135ish, pre-tax, for a place with breakfast, as cheap fast food is about $10, and the irritation of looking for food on an empty stomach in a strange place first thing in the morning is worth money to me. But there's just nothing. Hotels.com says that the high 90s percent is already booked in the area. I've been checking twice a week, hoping some cancellation was posted, but I'm not finding anything.
I'm not considering AirBnB as I've read some bad things in the news about it.
Jun 23rd, 2019, 03:40 PM
#28
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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.
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.
Jun 23rd, 2019, 04:07 PM
#29
I'm not considering AirBnB as I've read some bad things in the news about it.
That's unfortunate, as you could well be missing out on something perfect.
I'd take a well researched Air BnB over a hostel (haa-stl) in a NY minute.
Good luck with your search.
That's unfortunate, as you could well be missing out on something perfect.
I'd take a well researched Air BnB over a hostel (haa-stl) in a NY minute.
Good luck with your search.
Jun 23rd, 2019, 04:12 PM
#30
If you care about sleep I would only consider the four bed female dorm, and even then I wouldn't count on getting to sleep early or staying asleep late. Plus the bathrooms are definitely not en-suite. The demographic for the Bend hostel, based on the online reviews, skews young. There is no reason you can't breakfast on yoghurt and OJ for a whole lot less than $10.
I have used AirBnb in Europe, only one of the four experiences was an unqualified success. I have gone off the whole concept as I find it unfair to other residents, either of the building or the neighborhood. Also, your budget may only be enough for a room, rather than an apartment, so you may still not get a lot of privacy.
I have used AirBnb in Europe, only one of the four experiences was an unqualified success. I have gone off the whole concept as I find it unfair to other residents, either of the building or the neighborhood. Also, your budget may only be enough for a room, rather than an apartment, so you may still not get a lot of privacy.
Jun 23rd, 2019, 06:14 PM
#31
What am I missing? A 4-bed dorm room & bath shared by a group preferable to a private room & bath, likely furnished better, cleaner & quiet? It's moot since the OP seems intent on narrowing her options already almost nil due to budget. All well & good to eliminate Airbnb when a hotel is within means as an alternative, but I thought the point was to come up with ideas to address someone else's constraints?
Jun 23rd, 2019, 07:20 PM
#32
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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.
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.
Jun 23rd, 2019, 08:03 PM
#33
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.
Jun 23rd, 2019, 08:33 PM
#34
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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.
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.
Jun 24th, 2019, 08:43 AM
#35
You're probably right about self-limiting, she probably used a filter for "free breakfast" not realizing that an alternative is in-room coffee, microwave and refrigerator. If it is Bend, I agree she should remove that filter and book some motel rooms now (possibly two hotels due to being so full in July). Stick with those rated at least in the mid-7's or better yet 8's with a cancellation. Otherwise you'd be stuck with the worst of the worst. Don't let Hotels.com sort for you, chose prices low to high, and don't consider anything less than a 7.0
If necessary do shorter time frames because a place may be booked for the weekend but not during the week.
If necessary do shorter time frames because a place may be booked for the weekend but not during the week.
Last edited by mlgb; Jun 24th, 2019 at 08:50 AM.
Jun 24th, 2019, 08:53 AM
#36
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Are you American? I just don't know how you could not know how to pronounce hostel, it's pronounced exactly the way it's spelled by normal English pronunciation methods, I don't know what alternative pronunciation you could come up with. It's not a long o, if that is what you are considering a possibility (not like the word host).
The disadvantages are obvious, less "nice" furniture and conditions than a hotel, and lack of privacy. MOst people would consider sleeping with 6-10 strangers in the same room a disadvantage. Advantages are it is cheaper and, if you wanted, you could meet people that way to do things with. That's what younger people like about them, but don't think that's a goal of yours. Many hostels do NOT allow you to be in them in the middle of the day, either. Some hostels even have private rooms, but you obviously aren't picking those.
Forget a quiet corner to cry.
I don't understand why breakfast in so important, but I don't like to eat early in the morning. I am not clear on what the goal here is, if you wanted to eat breakfast cheaply, you could do it in a hotel if you had one with a frig (and add a microwave on top of that, even easier, if you had to have hot food for some reason).
The disadvantages are obvious, less "nice" furniture and conditions than a hotel, and lack of privacy. MOst people would consider sleeping with 6-10 strangers in the same room a disadvantage. Advantages are it is cheaper and, if you wanted, you could meet people that way to do things with. That's what younger people like about them, but don't think that's a goal of yours. Many hostels do NOT allow you to be in them in the middle of the day, either. Some hostels even have private rooms, but you obviously aren't picking those.
Forget a quiet corner to cry.
I don't understand why breakfast in so important, but I don't like to eat early in the morning. I am not clear on what the goal here is, if you wanted to eat breakfast cheaply, you could do it in a hotel if you had one with a frig (and add a microwave on top of that, even easier, if you had to have hot food for some reason).
Jun 24th, 2019, 10:46 AM
#37
I see that she does already have something booked but was wondering if the hostel would be better.
I wouldn't have a problem with an Airbnb but you do need to be savvy enough to read the reviews and it doesn't sound like this poster has much travel experience. Airbnb is an advertising platform, and I think from recent postings better than VRBO and Home Away. Have not had any problem using them, about half a dozen times.
I've had a few great experiences in Airbnbs (private entrance/ exclusive use ones) but don't really enjoy the shared bathroom concept which can be found in hostels, regular B&Bs (most of which advertise in Airbnb now anyways), and even a few "hotels" and guest houses overseas.
I wouldn't have a problem with an Airbnb but you do need to be savvy enough to read the reviews and it doesn't sound like this poster has much travel experience. Airbnb is an advertising platform, and I think from recent postings better than VRBO and Home Away. Have not had any problem using them, about half a dozen times.
I've had a few great experiences in Airbnbs (private entrance/ exclusive use ones) but don't really enjoy the shared bathroom concept which can be found in hostels, regular B&Bs (most of which advertise in Airbnb now anyways), and even a few "hotels" and guest houses overseas.
Last edited by mlgb; Jun 24th, 2019 at 10:48 AM.
Jun 24th, 2019, 11:15 AM
#38
If you find a hotel you like on hotels dot com or booking dot com CALL the hotel directly. Properties typically do not issue all their rooms to 3rd-party websites like those. They hold some back for their own reservations.
Or keep the hotel you already have reserved and just pick up something to eat in the morning from the grocery store the day before. Take your own hot pot or coil to make tea or instant coffee. Eat a piece of fruit and granola bar.
Basing this on a "free breakfast" is a HUGE unnecessary limitation.
Or keep the hotel you already have reserved and just pick up something to eat in the morning from the grocery store the day before. Take your own hot pot or coil to make tea or instant coffee. Eat a piece of fruit and granola bar.
Basing this on a "free breakfast" is a HUGE unnecessary limitation.
Jun 24th, 2019, 12:14 PM
#39
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While I agree that having a place that includes a "free breakfast" is a limitation, I think we know from her other post that rachel is not a frequent traveler and has her own preferences. So be it. She's legitimately reaching out for help, and many of the responses are in fact trying to give her helpful info.
I don't think commenting on how not knowing how a word is pronounced is helpful. Some of the comments above are downright derogatory, snooty, and unnecessary.
I don't think commenting on how not knowing how a word is pronounced is helpful. Some of the comments above are downright derogatory, snooty, and unnecessary.
Jun 24th, 2019, 12:28 PM
#40
Depending on which motel you have already booked (I know you don't want to tell us which one it is) you may actually have a microwave and even a small fridge so you can make your own breakfasts. IME -- budget properties are much more likely to provide basic cooking facilities than posh ones, because they get a lot of guests who are traveling with families and on tight budgets.
It really would help if you would tell us where you booked -- no one is going to track you down - and especially if you don't divulge your exact dates.
It really would help if you would tell us where you booked -- no one is going to track you down - and especially if you don't divulge your exact dates.
