0  of 13
Hostels masquerading as hotels
  • The perfect hybrid between a hostel and a hotel, Bounce Sydney defines what a hostel in 2014 should look like. Warm, modern and homely, Bounce is comfortable as well as affordable. With themed nights organised by staff such as Monday movie night, Tuesday pizza night and live music and DJ Wednesdays, holidaymakers are hard pressed to get bored on their trip to Sydney. The best parts of this place are the three lounge areas for guests to relax in, the rooftop terrace including sun lounges and bean bags as well as a BBQ area, providing ridiculously stunning views of the Sydney skyline. Flights to Sydney start from just £460 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • You can’t go wrong with the Adventure Queenstown Hostel. Recently voted the number one hostel in New Zealand, it cuts no corners in ensuring a hotel-esque feel. Quality furnishings in your room ensure a hotel level stay. Or watch the lively Camp Street from the balconies. Equipped with a modern kitchen, reading rooms, a dining room overlooking the nearby lake, as well as two lounge rooms to enjoy a drink in the sun or to relax in the fireplace, Adventure Queenstown is a refuge for holidaymakers. Guests can also partake in skydiving, paragliding, and white-water rafting during their stay. Flights to Queenstown start from just £977 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • The name pretty much does the talking here. Stay at the hostel and enjoy ocean views and a beach 35m away (we’re calling that 'on your doorstep'). For a trip to Florianopolis, and the parties it brings, holidaymakers probably wouldn’t want to stay in a ‘hotel’. Barra Beach Club has a balcony, which includes a bar and restaurant serving all you can eat breakfast in the mornings. Situated nearby heavenly beaches overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the balcony is a place to celebrate the night away with a Caipirinha. The hostel also provides free surfboard and beach equipment for those willing to test the waters in the nearby Barra de Logoa beach. Flights to Florianopolis start from just £631 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk 

  • Set on a 17th Century UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of Mexico City’s Centro Histórico, Downtown Beds embodies the hostel vibe. Providing hospitable company and easy access to the city’s culture and cuisine, this trendy nest is also an ideal place for a spot of relaxation. Guests can chill on the stylish poolside, drink on the beer patio, check out the breath-taking views of the city from the roof-top terrace or watch a film in the à la carte cinema – all while feeling part of a trendy members club rather than a backpackers’ hangout. Flights to Mexico City start from just £658 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • Kex Hostel wins the prize hands down for looking the most like a boutique hotel - it’s on the site of a former biscuit factory (like all good hostels are of course). With a painfully stylish bar, furniture made from reclaimed materials and an old school gym, holidaymakers could happily set up shop here. Conveniently located in downtown Reykjavik, travellers are within easy reach of the city’s vibrant nightlife, shopping district and culinary treasures including Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur – a world-famous hot dog stand which counts Madonna and even Bill Clinton as previous customers. 

    Flights to Reykjavik start from just £164 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • Nothing special from the outside, perhaps – but never judge a hostel by its admittedly judge-worthy cover. Mosaic House is a luxury design and music hostel that has won numerous accolades since it opened in 2010, and attracts an indie crowd with its friendly atmosphere. Offering a combination of shared and private rooms, each with air conditioning and rainforest showers, the entertainment can be found in La Loca music bar and lounge which showcases free music every night while guests chill out with a pint of Staropramen. Mosaic House also organises a range of activities for guests including Segway and e-scooter rentals, go-karting, outdoor climbing and paintballing. Flights to Prague start from just £67 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • Modern in every sense, Villa Saint Exupery is a traveller’s dream. Set in a converted monastery in Nice, the hostel still retains the traditional large stained glass windows and also offers verdant gardens for rest and relaxation.  Inside, the place is buzzing with a vibrant Chapel area which is perfect for dining and drinking. With activities such as scuba diving, sailing and canoeing, and guided tours around Nice organised by staff, Villa Saint Exupéry aims to provide an action-packed schedule for those wanting to sample a big slice of Nice life.

    Flights to Nice start from just £59 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • It’s unreal how effortlessly cool the Berlin hostel scene is, even without the help of Pfefferbett. Located in the über trendy district of Prenzlauer Berg and only a stone’s throw away from the hip capital of Berlin, Kastanienallee, this former 19th century brewery has been converted into the ultimate hipster hangout, pairing industrial vaulted brick ceilings with chic modern décor. It also includes a terrace with a 24-hour bar, garden, open fireplace as well as billiards, table football and tennis facilities. Flights to Berlin start from just £74 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • As the sun beats down on the arid cobbled streets of Florence, travellers can escape the urban desert and seek oasis at PLUS Florence, either in one of the hostel’s single, twin, double or triple rooms, or in a standard form room for a more sociable setup. In addition to a basement bar and restaurant, this hostel also offers an open terrace bar with panoramic views of Florence overlooking the cathedral – the ideal location for a glimpse of the city during sunset. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, steam room and fitness room free of charge for all guests. Forget hostel – luxury spa, anyone? Flights to Florence start from just £93 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • The award-winning Backpack hostel in Cape Town really makes you question if the difference between a hotel and a hostel is just the letter ‘s’. With the impressive Table Mountain looming large over the hostel, you’ll struggle to find a better spot to nest in for a trip to Cape Town. The Backpack is a prime example of quality accommodation for holidaymakers on a budget. Guests can top up their tan in the outdoor swimming pool, enjoy the astonishing views of Table Mountain via the café and bar, or buy last-minute souvenirs for friends and families back home at the community shop. No need to worry about security as The Backpack has it covered with plenty of safes, luggage storage and 24 hour guarded parking. Flights to Cape Town start from just £398 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • Highly rated and for good reason, the gloriously laid-back Travellers House in Lisbon couples a comfortable base with a wealth of activities for guests to uncover all that the city has to offer – from walking tours to the picturesque Alfama and lively Barrio Alto districts to sampling delicious Portuguese fare at the hostel’s regular Petiscos and wine tasting evenings. Centrally located on Rua Augusta, Travellers House is within easy distance of all the major sights, sounds and tastes of Lisbon including the famous Casa Pasteis de Belem which boasts a 175-year-old recipe for lip-smackingly good custard tarts. Equipped with a common room, music lounge, film room and a mini-library, Travellers House is the ideal refuge for guests after a long day of eating and exploring. Flights to Lisbon start from just £84 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

  • The first luxury hostel in Madrid, U Hostel is stylishly furnished with leather button-backed sofas, vintage reclaimed coffee tables and whitewashed walls. Now housed in a 19th century palace, U Hostel is next door to the metro station with easy access to Madrid’s city centre. Attracting a young and fun crowd, luxury facilities include a cinema with personalised floor cushions, library, rooftop bar and a chill out zone. What more could holidaymakers want? Flights to Madrid start from just £103 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk

Advertisement