Frequently Asked Questions
We've been in the hostelling business for almost 70 years, and hostellers have always asked questions about our hostels, reservations and other things. Below are some frequently asked questions that can assist you in making your decision to stay at a Hostelling International-USA hostel.
Aren't hostels just for young people?
Where are hostels and how many are there?
What does it cost to stay in a hostel?
Do I have to be a member to stay at an HI hostel?
What are hostels?
Check out this You Tube video to see what hostels are all about.
Hostels provide friendly, inexpensive overnight accommodations for travelers. Hostelling International hostels assure travelers the utmost in quality standards including cleanliness, security and service. Hostels offer dormitory-style rooms with separate quarters for men and women. Some hostels also have private family and couples rooms or cabins. All Cape and Islands hostels provide a blanket, sheets and pillow. Your group may bring their own linens and towels, but please, no sleeping bags. All our hostels offer fully equipped self-service kitchens, dining areas, and common rooms for relaxing and socializing with other travelers. Most of our hostels have BBQ's, travel libraries and concierge service. There are a few that even have an ocean at its front door.
What are the facilities like?
Rooms: Our Hostels have male-only, female-only and coed dorm rooms and cabins, and a few hostels have private and family rooms. Groups will be asked to pay a modest fee of $2 or to bring their own linens. Please bring your own towels.
Bathrooms: Like most hostels, our bathrooms are in the hall, or in the case of Mid Cape, in the main building. Some of the hostels have enclosed outdoor showers in addition to regular shower facilities. We pride ourselves in the cleanliness throughout the hostel.
Kitchen: We offer a very inexpensive make-your-own pancake breakfast. We have refrigerators, stoves/ovens (the staff love brownies...), a microwave, and all the dishes and kitchen supplies you'll need. We have a few barbecues out in the summer, too.
SLC: The Hostel is a Sustainable Living Center, so we have lots of recycle and compost bins and in keeping with our efforts to be environmentally friendly, we ask that you not bring paper plates and plastic utensils - thank you.
Common Rooms: We have a living room and dining room with comfortable furniture and a cozy library with Internet access. In the summer you can eat outside on our picnic tables or at Nantucket or Truro sit on the beach and watch the sunset. We have no TV which makes for lots of interesting conversation from around the globe.
Aren't hostels just for young people?
Hostelling International - USA welcomes visitors of all ages. There are more and more people over 55 years of age, families and groups using our hostels. Hostelling is not just for young people, although the majority of our visitors are between 18 and 35 years of age.
Where are hostels and how many are there?
Hostelling International-USA has nearly 4,000 hostels in over 60 countries worldwide, including nearly 75 hostels here in the United States. The Eastern New England Council has hostels in Boston, Cape Cod and the Islands, but you will also find hostels in the countryside, national parks, mountains, shores and big cities like Tokyo, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and Nairobi.
What does it cost to stay in a hostel?
Staying at our hostels makes your trip more affordable and allows you to spend your money on other things. Click here for pricing information.
What does a hostel look like?
Hostels are as varied in their looks as in their locations. Some are in modern, multi-story buildings and historic buildings that have been totally renovated. You can stay in a lifesaving station on Nantucket, a castle in Germany, a 19th century sailing ship in Sweden - just to name a few.
Can groups use hostels?
Hostelling International-USA welcome groups of all ages and sizes. We can provide special programs, learning and recreational activities, catered meals, meeting rooms and much more to meet your group's needs.
Do I have to be a member to stay at an HI hostel?
Hostelling International-USA welcomes members and non-members, but non-members pay a higher overnight price. You may buy an annual membership, or a $3 daily membership at the hostel. Groups can get a FREE membership.
Are hostels closed during the day?
Most major urban hostels are open 24 hours a day. The Cape Cod hostels are accessible throughout the day. Some smaller and rural hostels are closed during the day, usually from 10am to 5pm. If a hostel is closed during the day, most hostels offer a place to store your luggage.
Do hostels have chores?
No. All we ask is that you pick up after yourself to contribute to the hostel's upkeep. This occurs in the common areas, like the kitchen and living area.
Do I have to make a reservation to stay at a hostel?
Reservations are recommended during busy travel seasons, although not required. Reservations for groups are necessary. There are a variety of ways to make a reservation.