Last week I got into a debate with a friend who declared that he would never stay in a hostel because he imagined them to be, quote:  “dirty”.  Not only was I horrified by his ignorance, but I was mostly just sad to hear that hostels, something lovely and dear to my heart, may still have a bad rep for some people who have never stayed in one, nor looked to see what is out there.

So, to prove the hostel haters wrong, your Gomio Team has compiled a list of some of the sleekest, swankiest, most stylish and suave design hostels we could find. Time to debunk this ancient hostel myth once and for all!

1. Porto, Portugal – Gallery Hostel

The Gallery Hostel in Porto, Portugal keeps the art in accommodation!

The historical, 100-year-old building is the only “old” aspect you’ll find in the Gallery Hostel in Porto, Portugal.  The common room big screen, garden suites, bar lounge stocked with Portuguese wines, local artist exhibitions, and overall clean, modern design will have you feeling like you have the accommodation of a rock star. Choose from rooms named after the most renowned artists of Oporto!

Book Gallery Hostel in Porto here

2. London, England – Clink78

Style with pizazz, Clink78 Hostel in London, England has some parliamentary pun off of its setting in a 200-year-old, former courthouse and trial location for The Clash band. While the courtroom-style has been maintained, the Internet Courtroom and the TV and film Courtroom Lounge have been revamped from prior spaces of judgment to current spaces of tolerance and open-mindedness. The colorful hostel scheme, abundance of cool hangout areas, and addition of an unadulterated cocktail “Clashbar” are only some of the reasons why Hostel Clink78 in London is on trial for being one classy hostel to kick it.

Book Clink78 Hostel here

3. Berlin, Germany – Circus Hostel

You don’t have to be a circus freak to enjoy the Circus Hostel in Berlin, Germany! Traveling troupes come to settle at Circus Hostel in Berlin for a fantasy hostel experience.  Keeping the absurdist taste of the show ring intact, the surreal graffiti art plastering the walls of the basement bar, jungle-themed lounge, and overall quirky character has us sold on the Circus Hostel showcase.

Book Circus Hostel Berlin here

4. Barcelona, Spain – Hip Karma Hostel

Find balance in Barcelona, Spain at the Hip Karma Hostel. For the feng-shui friendly, Hip Karma Hostel in Barcelona, Spain is the place to revitalize your travel-weary mind with an easygoing atmosphere and feel-good vibes. The design is based on positive elements like orange seats and earth tones, sturdy, warm wooden bunk beds, and bamboo plants for good energy. The clean, functional layout and simple, minimalist style will clear any doubts you may anticipate for your stay.

Book Hip Karma Hostel here

5. Sydney, Australia – Bounce Hostel

No matter how attractive Bounce Hostel in Sydney, Australia is on the inside, there is nothing more attractive than a rooftop terrace with swanky seating set against the city’s skyline. Bounce Hostel in Sydney, Australia, might have some backpackers booking based on of the skyline views on the rooftop terrace alone with the best view over Sydney. But there’s more. Modern furniture, colored ceilings, stairwell wall murals, stainless steel kitchen appliances, and private rooms with plasma TVs offer backpackers the luxury of a hotel with the social benefits of a hostel.

Book Bounce Hostel here

The pictures speak for themselves; hostels are not only a far stretch from “dirty,” but they also have a lot of style and incorporate art in accommodation. Moreover, the great thing about hostels versus hotels is that a hostel’s design is unique to that particular hostel in comparison to chain hotels’ design, plus their opportunities for social connection and spontaneous turns in your stay.

Want to see more top-design hostels? Stay tuned for Parts II and III!