You know by now I love a good design hotel. As you might imagine, I have a pretty big soft spot for design hostels, too.
A beautiful hotel is where you stay when you want some time to yourself and a quiet place to relax after a long day of sightseeing. Maybe a bubble bath accompanied by a glass of vino.
A beautiful hostel, on the other hand, is where you stay when you’re feeling energetic and in the mood to socialize. Maybe share a few beers and a few exciting new experiences with fellow travelers.
Hotels and hostels each have their perfect moments, but there’s definitely something about summer that draws me into the hostel scene.
I want to mix and mingle and create memories with others like me. I want to lounge poolside with a cold drink and share and compare stories from the road. I want to mob around a new city surrounded by people with a childlike curiosity just like mine.
Summer, my friends, is the time for great hostels.
Luckily for all of us, my good friends Matt and Anna have created the perfect resource for finding the best of the best hostels in Europe and beyond.
Their website, Hostelgeeks.com, is THE place to go to find not just good hostels, but great ones. Every hostel listed on their site is considered a “5-Star Hostel” because it fulfills all of the five following criteria:
- Sustainable and Eco-Friendly
- Excellent Design
- Unique Character
- Social Vibes
- Fantastic Staff
To celebrate their new eBook, The Greatest Hostels of Europe, and the arrival of summer (aka hostel season!) I’m highlighting five of the best hostels included in the book and giving you a chance to win your very own copy! This eBook is full of great information and DISCOUNTS at every single hostel listed!
It’s a resource you’ll definitely want to have if you’re Europe-bound this summer.
Without further ado…
5 of the Greatest Hostels in Europe
Sunset Destination Hostel – Lisbon, Portugal
Sunset Destination Hostel provides the ultimate summer hangout spot–a sun-drenched pool terrace overlooking the Tagus River. There is a fully-equipped kitchen for whipping up your own meals, a retro indoor lounge, and even on-site massage and spa services starting at just 10€. Sunset Destination Hostel is a 5-Star Hostel–click here to find out why.
Toc Hostel – Barcelona, Spain
Located in the heart of Barcelona, Toc Hostel serves as the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the Catalonian capital, and its impressive design makes it stand out from the crowd. There’s certainly no sacrifice in terms of style or comfort at Toc! Enjoy the trendy on-site restaurant and bar or enjoy the many amenities like the outdoor pool, game room, or movie lounge.
Cocomama Hostel – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cocomama prides itself on being Amsterdam’s first boutique hostel. The owners have combined the high-end components of a hotel with the convenience and affordability of a hostel. Cocomama is stylish, yet informal; professional, yet cozy. Their rooms can accommodate couples, families, small groups or solo travelers; dorms sleep a maximum of 6 people. Read more about Cocomama Amsterdam, a 5-Star Hostel.
Lollis Homestay – Dresden, Germany
Lollis Homestay offers an affordable stay in Dresden’s trendy nightlife district, Neustadt. This boutique bohemian hostel ha free coffee and tea all day, free bicycles for exploring the city, and a cozy atmosphere conducive to getting to know your fellow travelers (a room with no laptops allowed!).
Caveland Hostel – Santorini, Greece
This beautiful hostel gives visitors a unique opportunity to sleep inside a cave and 18th-century winery! The newly-renovated rooms have a shabby-chic aesthetic that features both antique and up-cycled materials. Kick back by the outdoor pool, enjoy local coffee, or join the weekly events like yoga, BBQs, and traditional tavern dinners. Read more about what makes Caveland a 5-Star Hostel here.
Enter to win your very own copy of The Greatest Hostels of Europe
When it comes to amazing hostels in Europe, the list above is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you hold hostels to a high standard like I do, this eBook, The Greatest Hostels of Europe, can help you cut through the noise and save time and headaches during your planning process. Matt and Anna have scoured the continent to bring you the best of the best, the crème de la crème–truly the greatest hostels of Europe.
Their book details the best hostels they’ve found in every region and offers discounts of up to 10% on EVERY SINGLE ONE! With 77 hostels included, that’s a total of more than 200€ in potential savings!
This giveaway is open worldwide! Contest ends at 8 pm PDT on Thursday, June 16th.
Good luck, and happy hostelling!
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Have you stayed in any of these amazing hostels? What’s your favorite design hostel in Europe?
