Types of Hostel Rooms
There are two hostel room categories and each has its sub-categories:
- Dorm Rooms
- Female Dorm Rooms, "dorms exclusively for women"
- Hostel Dorm room with Bunks, only bunk beds in the dorm
- Dorm Room with single beds, separate beds, no bunks
- Private Rooms
- Single Room, single bed for one person
- Twin Room, room with two separate beds for 2 people (may be a bunk)
- Standard Double Room, a double bed for two people
- Family Room, room with beds for +3 people
- Apartment has its own kitchen.
- For all rooms: Shared or Ensuite bathroom options
Below we describe each of these types of rooms:
1. Dorm Rooms
All hostels have Dorm rooms. They are rooms which you share with fellow travellers. You book your single bed in a room with many beds.
The smallest Hostel Dorm Rooms have 3 beds. And bigger rooms many beds. Bigger rooms are cheaper.
There may be lockers or safety deposit boxes where you can store your valuables in the room also.
The average dorm room has four beds. Beds are usually single or bunks and some even offer a double bed for couples. So there are different variations within Dorm Rooms:
Above we picture a Hostel Dorm Room with bunks, in The Netherlands, and below is one in Tokyo, Japan, this one has curtains on its bunks:
Female Dorm Room
This is a "girls only" dorm room so no men are allowed in the female travelers dorm.
Dorms with Bunks
The most common type of dorm, it has bunks, like the two hostels pictured above.
Dorms without bunk beds
These are less packed, and the single beds give it a more uncluttered appearance.
Pod-dorms
These are becoming more frequent in Asia (whose large cities are usually space strapped) they offer privacy (thanks to the pods which have their own power supply and curtains).
Tip for large Groups
A large group can book the entire Dorm Room and ensure more privacy for its members.
2. Private Rooms
These rooms are not shared with other travellers, they are similar to those found at other types of accommodation (hotels, lodges), but they too have their variations:
Single Private Rooms
Rooms for one (1) passenger in a single bed.
Twin Hostel Private Room
This room has two (2) separate beds (that is why it is a "Twin" room), and fits two passengers. Note that some twin rooms have a bunk bed (and not two single beds on the floor). Ask before booking.
Double Room
This comes with one bed that fits two people, a double bed, which may have different sizes (queen or king).
Family Room
Yes, families also stay at hostels so they need rooms, the "Family rooms". These are rooms with three or more beds, but the most common one has four (4) beds: a double bed and one bunk. Some hostels also provide cribs.
They are ideal for small groups too. But bear in mind that three persons booking a four-bed private room will pay for four (4) persons, the room's full capacity.
Apartment
These are much more private and always include a kitchen.
Bathrooms
Ensuite
An ensuite room is one that includes its own private toilet and also a shower and/or bath tub.
Some hostels offer shared bathrooms, located in the hallways and others offer rooms with private bathrooms (these are known as "ensuite" bathrooms). Some offer both alternatives. Check with your hostel and read the reviews (lots of people and few shared bathrooms means crowded facilites). Ensuite options are usually more expensive but it is up to you and your budget.
there is no standard description
Different hostels and booking portals describe their rooms differently so it may be confusing at first.
