The Pros & Cons of Staying in a Hostel

During my solo travels, I often stayed at hostels instead of hotels. Before staying at my first hostel, I had heard a lot of negative rumors about them, primarily that they were unsafe and dirty. However, after seeing firsthand what it is like to stay in a hostel, I think that they are a good option, IF you take several factors into consideration. So, based on my experiences, here are the pros and cons of staying in a hostel.

PROS:

1.  Most of them are cheaper than staying in hotels.
• Each hostel has many price ranges depending on the type of room you choose. If you stay in a room with several people, it will be less expensive than if you choose to stay in a private room. Still, even the private rooms will likely be less expensive than most hotels.
2.  It is easy to meet new people.
• This is especially true if you are traveling alone. When I stayed in a hostel in Bruges, Belgium, I met three other people that were staying in the same hostel as me. We ended up spending a few hours walking around the city together and I made three new friends from South Africa and Spain! 
• In addition, there are several hostels that are designated as "party hostels" if you are looking for a more social scene. The hostel I stayed at in Bruges was called St. Christopher's, and there was a bar inside where I met many people from several different countries. (I realize this could also be a con if you are looking for a more quiet vacation. If this is the case, I recommend finding a hostel that is closer to a bed-and-breakfast style).

CONS:

1. You might have to stay in a room with complete strangers. 
• Yes, one of the pros is that hostels are cheaper, but this might mean that you have to stay in bunk-bed style rooms with other travelers. You can either choose to stay in a co-ed room or in an all female / all male room. When I went to London, I opted to pay a bit more to stay in an all-female room, and other than having different sleep schedules, I did not mind having roommates. 
2.  A lot of hostels are located far from the city center. 
• This is definitely something to keep in mind when looking for a hostel. Many of the cheaper options are farther away from the main tourist sites, which presents a safety problem especially if you are by yourself at night. I would recommend paying a little more for a hostel that is walkable from the city center, so you can ~safely~ walk back at night.  
3.  You'll probably have to share a bathroom.
• All of the hostels that I stayed at had communal bathrooms with private showers. This is something that is just part of the experience of staying in a hostel. On the bright side, you'll likely only be staying in the hostel for a few days, and it will make you truly appreciate having your own bathroom back home.

As you can see, the first two cons can be eliminated depending on your budget and room preferences. While I opted for a more expensive room in hostels that were closer to the city center, other friends I know have stayed in rooms with 7 or 8 other people and used an Uber to get back to their hostel at night because it was farther away from the city. They explained that because it was only for a few days and they were with other people, it just added to the adventure of their trips. As long as you are safe and comfortable with the social aspect that is inevitable when staying in a hostel, I would say that the pros outweigh the cons and you will definitely come back with more stories to tell than if you were staying in a hotel!