What age should you stop using hostels?

[otc]

Originally Posted by JesseJB

Okay great because I'm 27 and me and my gf stayed in a hostel in Chicago and it felt borderline weird to be so "old" there. But really it's about all we can afford and we really enjoy brief, frequent travel.
Was it the J. Ira ...whatever...Family Hostel? Down on van buren? The attached cuban sandwich shop has some amazing food. I've always wondered how that hostel is

 

[StephenHero]

Anyone used Couchsurfers? I think older users are bit more common and you can match yourself more easily with hosts of different ages.

 

[tiecollector]

Some hostels are ridiculously nice, nicer than a N star hotel for a fraction of the price. Easier to meet people in these types too. I'd say you're never too old for these, just depends on if you feel like being social or not.

I'd say 26 is my limit for the groady ones frequented by pseudo drug addicts.

 

[dibadiba]

I booked a spot in an 8-person room at a hostel for a straight month in budapest last october. the hostel was clean, had hot water, fridge, tv, stove, etc. nobody else ended up staying in the room with me so I had an 8-person sized room to myself for the whole month for <$13/day

 

[epb]

Originally Posted by JesseJB

Okay great because I'm 27 and me and my gf stayed in a hostel in Chicago and it felt borderline weird to be so "old" there. But really it's about all we can afford and we really enjoy brief, frequent travel.

I used to stay in an apt building that had a youth hostel in the basement (Arlington House in Lincoln Park); a buddy of mine worked the desk for the hostel so I saw a lot of them check in. I'd put the typical range at 20-30; it was rare to find someone still using them in their 30s. The oldest I recall seeing was a guy in his 50s, and he was clearly doing so for the social aspect.

 

[CunningSmeagol]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

I'm probably the most bipolar person in the world on this front...

I stay at cheapass hostels or low-end "business hotels" (in Japan, for example) whenever traveling on my own dime, but I travel so much for work and have so many free Starwood nights that about 3/4 of my travel is free and in beautiful 4* or 5* properties.

Of course I prefer a nice hotel but not if I'm paying for it. If a girl is tagging along I feel obliged to use my points and upgrade to something nice though.

It's hard to imagine you having a real job. "Metro, we'd like to send you out to Tucson - we expect you to threak them into submission and seal the deal!"

 

[Jay Gatsby]

Originally Posted by MetroStyles

When you make more than $200K a year or when you start traveling with a fussy girlfriend.

+1

 

[Jay Gatsby]

Originally Posted by Jodum5

21.

Not sure how many out of the way countries you've been to... I recon not a whole lot.

 

[Kookz]

For some hostels, I don't think you could ever be too old.

 

[MetroStyles]

Originally Posted by CunningSmeagol

It's hard to imagine you having a real job. "Metro, we'd like to send you out to Tucson - we expect you to threak them into submission and seal the deal!"

Lol can't say I've ever been to Tucson. I also have a hard time imagining myself with a real
job. I was "born 2 poast". Anything else is a farce.

 

[teddieriley]

Same time you should stop shopping and Abercrombie and Fitch.

 

[StephenHero]

I think I'm gonna use one when I go to San Francisco in a couple weeks. Should be some weirdos. Will report back.

 

[otc]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Same time you should stop shopping and Abercrombie and Fitch.

So you are saying you should never use hostels?

I hardly think that is fair...hostels are sweet. Of the hostels I have been to, I have managed to have only stayed one night in one that seems associated with Abercrombie--prevailing bad odor, overly loud atmosphere (bad techno, check), and crowded sweaty people.

 

[mkarim]

Originally Posted by otc

Hostels are awesome, especially if you are traveling alone and want to meet people. Never done the hostel route in the US though (but I often get lunch next to the chicago hostel and it looks pretty nice and always seems busy).


Yes, that's what I will try the next time I am in Eastern Europe.

 

[JesseJB]

Originally Posted by otc

Was it the J. Ira ...whatever...Family Hostel? Down on van buren? The attached cuban sandwich shop has some amazing food.

I've always wondered how that hostel is

It was in Lincoln Park. Can't remember the name, but super friendly staff and decent amenities.