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Hospet

Hospet, now known officially as Hosapete, is a city in Karnataka. The name Hosapete literally means "new market". Hospet is the town nearest to the Hampi/Kishkinda area.

By plane
A nearby airport is at Ballari, but it does not have commercial flights.

There is a private airport at JSW Vijaynagar, Toranagallu which is used for chartered flights by some tour operators. Hubli is another nearby airport, 152 km away from Hampi. Flying to Goa or Bangalore is also an option.

By train
You can reach from Bangalore by the overnight "Hampi Express" train.

By road
Hospet is around 330 km from Bangalore and is well connected by national and state highways. It is served by various private bus lines (e.g. VRL) and also government-run KSRTC. Direct bus services are available from Mumbai, Bangalore and other major cities of Karnataka.

Get around
There are several car rental companies in Hampi/Hospet including some prominent ones like SRB Travels (travels@srbempire.com). Car rentals are also available from various nearby rail heads and airports like those of Bangalore, Goa, Hyderabad, Belgaum and Hampi.

See

 *  VijayShree heritage- An authentic Rajasthani heritage village. Very good staff. They serve food too. Rooms (cottage) were a little expensive (₹5000-7000) in 2009.

Eat

 * Vadams - A multi cuisine pure vegetarian restaurant on Dam Road adjacent to saiebaba circle. Great food at reasonable prices serves very good food in a fine ambience. Here, Chefs do not rely on readymade ingredients for their curries. Instead, they grind and blend the ingredients everyday, thus bringing out delicious flavor and exceptional taste.
 * ChefArt - A multi cuisine family garden restaurant. Also called as "The Aroma of Indian Spice", It is on Dam Road near saiebaba circle. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu and includes a variety of delicacies such a North Indian, Moghlai, Tandoori, Chinese, Continental and seafood delicacies
 * Naivedyam - A multi cuisine pure vegetarian restaurant on Station Road. The food is very fine and service is very fast.

Sleep

 * Priyadarshani Guest House is situated in Hospet on the way from the railway station to bus stand. People here are very friendly and co-operative when asked for any guidance or help. It has hotel attached to it called naivedhyam it serves average tasting food but hygienic enough. There are two types of rooms available here like standards costs ₹450 and executive costs around ₹750 exclusive of taxes (as of Feb 2009).
 * Priyadarshani Guest House is situated in Hospet on the way from the railway station to bus stand. People here are very friendly and co-operative when asked for any guidance or help. It has hotel attached to it called naivedhyam it serves average tasting food but hygienic enough. There are two types of rooms available here like standards costs ₹450 and executive costs around ₹750 exclusive of taxes (as of Feb 2009).

Go next

 * Hampi
 * Badami
 * Bijapur
 * Lakkundi
 * Mangalore
 * Mantralayam
 * Bhadra Tiger Reserve
 * Chitradurga
 * Ballari

title: Hospet


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L'Hospitalet de Llobregat

L'Hospitalet de Llobregat isn’t a beautiful city. It’s a "bedroom town" southwest of Barcelona. It's the second biggest in Catalonia by population. It's important for being one of the most dense cities in Spain and also in the European Union.

Understand
This town doesn’t have anything special. It doesn’t have its own identity and personality. When people in L’Hospitalet want to go shopping or have fun, they travel to Barcelona where they find the charm that you miss in l’Hospitalet.

The weather here is good. L’Hospitalet is a Mediterranean town and its climate is wet and warm. It sometimes rains a few days, normally in the spring and in the autumn. The winter isn’t very cold and it hardly ever snows. The summer is sunny, but also very wet, so it feels hotter than it really is.

People that don’t live in l’Hospitalet maybe know it for its big hospital Residencia de Bellvitge, and for its Hotel Hesperia Tower, a skyscraper. It’s 106 metres tall. At the top of this building there is a dome that looks like a flying saucer and where there is a luxury restaurant owned by Santi Santamaria. The menu costs about €100.

See

 * In the oldest quarter, Barri Centre, you can find the City Council and the biggest church of the town Sta Eulàlia de Mérida, built after the Civil War above the remains of the old gothic church.
 * The oldest street is Xipreret street. It’s a narrow street and it’s full of historical buildings, such as l’Harmonia (a renaissance building), the house with gothic windows, la Talaia (a watchtower), or Ca n’Espanya, which is the museum of the city. Also across this street, there is other narrow street where you can find Can Sumarro, the town library.

Do

 * Around the Rambles, there is an area where people can find fun. The Rambles is great for walking around. There are a few outdoor bars and restaurants and at the weekend, people sit in the sun, to have some drink. Also in the Rambles there is the oldest cinema of the town, Rambles Cinema. On Tuesday evening it shows alternative films in thrir original version.
 * There isn’t a city festival. Each neighbourhood has its own local festival (Sant Josep, Sant Joan, Mare de Déu de Bellvitge.) and the others festivals are the same as those in Barcelona.

Buy

 * Nearby the Rambles there is a big shopping center, La Farga Max Center. There are many well-known shops such as Berska, Spriendfield, Zara, and Mango, a multiplex cinema and a few restaurants (Mexican, Chinese, Japanese).

Drink

 * At the end of Rambles there is a local disco Salamandra where almost every weekend you can listen to live music.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: L'Hospitalet de Llobregat


text:
Hospitality exchange

Hospitality Exchange is a form of accommodation whereby visitors stay in a house or apartment of a local of the city to which they are traveling. It is altruistic in nature.

Homestay is a broader notion encompassing hospitality exchange (when it's free) and equivalent forms for accommodation that are not free. The key aspect of non-altruistic homestay which differentiates it from the usual renting is that the host is very near (typically lives in the same house, apartment, etc.), and is not a hospitality professional or a commercial entity.

Hospitality exchanges, homestays for money, and rentals are all widely advertised online, and are mainly accessed from intermediary sites. Commercial homestay sites act as brokers and charge a service fee or a commission; the providers of lodgings charge for the lodging itself. These options are very often indistinguishable from renting and may be legally treated as renting (subjected to relevant regulations and taxed likewise), but they are also covered in this article, since there's a lot of overlap.

Understand
With the Internet, new kinds of hospitality exchange have emerged. They can be a side income for hosts, or a hobby. Some exchanges have also attracted commercial actors, who may even be the majority in some regions. The stay can be for free, in exchange for money, in exchange for a stay at the guest's property either simultaneously or at another time (home swapping)

While this article will not concentrate on opportunities in exchange for help on the host's property, this topic is covered extensively under Volunteer travel.

A hospitality exchange network is the organization that connects travelers with locals in the cities they are going to visit. Joining such a network usually just requires filling out an online form; although some networks offer or require additional verification. A listing of available hosts is then provided either in print and/or online, sometimes with references and reviews by other travelers.

Each network has its own niche: free, commercial, some cater to older travelers while some attract younger students, some encourage more social interaction between host and guest, while others are more of a financial transaction. Some are focused on home-for-home swapping. Most networks listed here operate worldwide.

Hospitality exchange can provide several positive advantages to guests:
 * Savings on accommodation costs, especially if for free
 * Personal connections and interactions with people from a different culture and/or social class, thereby strengthening intercultural understanding and reducing prejudices and intolerance
 * Local perspective and information about the city that is not easily found in guidebooks
 * A deeper understanding of the life of the locals
 * A close-up experience of genuine residential architecture and interior design
 * Opportunities to stay in areas under-served by hotels or hostels
 * Opportunities to stay in unique properties such as igloos, cabins, and castles

Hospitality exchange on the other hand may also have disadvantages over hotel/hostel accommodation:
 * A paid hospitality exchange is not automatically cheaper than a hotel or serviced apartment; for one, hotels are economically efficient by having many rooms.
 * The exchange may require additional planning before travel
 * Last minute changes or cancellations by either the host or the guest may inconvenience others
 * Accommodation and sleeping surfaces may be less comfortable and/or have less privacy
 * Guests may be required to adhere to a schedule or follow rules set by a host, which restrict freedom
 * Accommodation may not be close to tourist attractions
 * If the guest and host do not get along, the home stay can make a visit to an otherwise pleasant city unbearable

However, it always depends on a case by case basis whether a home stay is superior over a regular hotel or hostel. A generalisation is difficult and travelers must decide on a case by case basis whether to prefer a hospitality exchange or a regular commercial accommodation like hotel, hostel, motel, etc., specifically:
 * Standards vary independently of commercial or non-commercial provider.
 * A marketing facade does not say anything about the service in real life.

Overview
The following are the major hospitality exchange networks, classified by commercial grade. Follow the link to get more details on a specific network below.

Hospitality exchange networks
In the following, all networks, again classified by commercial grade, in order of size or reach (website), respectively.

Free (or minor flat fee)
This chapter focuses on accommodation which is free, but the related service/website needs to cover maintenance costs and may be commercial.

BeWelcome
# of hosts: 120,000 (Jun 2019)

BeWelcome was founded in early 2007 and is grouped in the non-profit BeVolunteer organization. It is based on the free and open source BW Rox. BeWelcome is a website run by BeVolunteer, a non-profit association legally registered in Rennes, France. Members of BeWelcome do not have to be members of BeVolunteer. BeWelcome is similar to the Couchsurfing community, but free to use, add free, run by volunteers and has all the same main features. All features of the website and stays are free (a must). Travelers can contact each other via the website with accommodation requests and leave references for each other after they meet. The website also includes a forum, contacts management, map search, and allows for set up of events. t also has a TRIPS feature, which allows you to post your travel itinerary and dates, so that hosts can see your plan and offer accommodation.

BeWelcome has also been translated into other languages to make finding a host easier. The website is financed by donations of approximately €1,000 per year and has annual operating expenses of around €700 per year. As of September 2021, the platform has 215,000 members.

Trustroots
# of hosts (yes/maybe): 13,000 # of members: 67,986 (Dec 2021)

Trustroots is the new kid in town. It was launched in December 2014 targeting hitchhikers and other more alternative niche groups, though it's open to everyone. As of November 2018 you can only search by map, and the website is very usable on mobile phones, and there's an app for Android. The software is open source and the network is run by a UK non-profit foundation. It is comparable to BeWelcome with a nicer website but might not work everywhere. It is best to register with both and just choose the right one depending on the region.

Warmshowers
# of hosts: 71,281

Warmshowers is an online hospitality exchange organization exclusively for touring bicyclists that want either indoor accommodation or just a break from cycling and a warm shower.

In case you are planning to hitchhike, it can be a good option to bring a foldable bicycle along to bike part of the journey and take advantage of Warmshowers. This community is very welcoming but a little closed to no-bicycle outsiders.

Couchsurfing
# of active hosts: unknown

Couchsurfing was once easily the largest free hospitality exchange platform, with both a website and mobile app. Though, it now charges a monthly (US$3) or annual fee (US$15) for access (with exceptions for users from lower-income countries). Therefore, many users have left for BeWelcome or Trustroots. The site's gradual commercialization has been controversial among its members, many of whom originally volunteered to help build the site under the understanding that it was strictly not-for-profit.

Global Freeloaders
# of (supposedly active) hosts: 115,000 (Alexa rank below Trustroots)

Global Freeloaders is based on the concept of getting a free place to stay and "seeing the world from a local's perspective". It predates CouchSurfing, having been founded in 2001, but has much fewer users. Members do not send individual requests for accommodation; they blast a request to several hosts at once. According to the website, one should only register if planning to host within the next 6 month, in an attempt to guarantee an active host community. In reality however this fact is not validated. One thing that distinguishes Global Freeloaders from similar networks is that it specifically asks members to host just as often as they are hosted by others.

Servas
# of members: over 14,000 hosts

Servas was created in 1949 by Bob Luitweiler, an American who lived in Denmark. Servas recommends that guest apply at least 4 weeks in advance of travel. Participation in Servas requires 2 letters of reference and paying a membership fee, which varies by country, and a personal interview with a local Servas coordinator. After the interview, the traveler gets a "letter of introduction" that's good for one year of travel, and a list of hosts in the countries he or she is visiting. Travellers contact prospective hosts in advance (lead time varies as defined by each host), giving estimated dates of travel, and they may be asked to reconfirm one or two days in advance of visit. They can stay with hosts for up to 3 days and 2 nights. Hosts provide sleeping space. Meals may be provided as well as assistance in visiting the city or area. At the end of their trip, Servas travellers are expected to provide a report to the local coordinator with any information that may be useful.

Pasporta Servo
# of members: 1,350

Pasporta Servo ("passport service") is a home stay network for speakers of Esperanto, an international auxiliary language. It's sponsored by TEJO, the World Organization of Young Esperantists, who publish a book each year listing thousands of hosts in 80 countries. Travelers pay a fee for the yearly host list. Hosts ask no fee for rooms, but each sets their own requirements for duration, number of visitors, contact ahead of time, and whether or not food is offered. Some hosts ask for compensation for food. Hosts receive the host list for free. All travelers are expected to communicate with their hosts in Esperanto. Coordination with the service is in Esperanto, and the host list is in Esperanto.

Host A Sister
# of members: 300,000

Host A Sister is facebook group offering free accommodation for women as part of cultural exchange.

Travel Ladies
# of members: 10,000

Travel Ladies is a free travel app (iOS/Android) for women offering hospitality exchange for its users.

1Nite Tent
# of hosts: 1,000

1Nite Tent offers free camp sites at other people's places, like lawns, backyards, etc. This sometimes includes toilet, and access to water and sometimes kitchen. The concept is mostly functional in Germany, but has potential.

Exchange
This chapter focuses on accommodation in exchange for your work or your home. Usually, a minor service fee is required for the associated website, see the Summary below.

Home Exchange
# of listings: 65,000

Home Exchange facilitates home-for-home exchanges of various types around the world. Members, who are then eligible to exchange homes, pay an annual fee. The website has several international affiliates, like https://www.haustauschferien.com in Germany.

Home Link
#: "thousands of home exchanges"

Home Link was started in 1953 as a way for teachers in different cities to swap homes for the summer. It facilitates home-for-home exchanges of various types.

Intervac
# of listings: 4,017

Intervac dates back to 1953 facilitates home-for-home exchanges and discounted home rentals. Annual membership fee.

Staydu.com
# of hosts: 3,619

Staydu.com was created by two German students who had the vision that everybody should be able to travel without spending a lot of money. Everyone can use staydu, but the focus is on low-budget travelers who are looking for a long-term stay. Hosts can offer their accommodation for three categories: for work, for money, or for free. However, the website seems to be badly maintained and not up to date.

HomeForSwap.com
# of listings: 9,000

HomeForSwap.com is a facilitator of home-for-home exchanges. The service requires an annual membership fee.

Switch
# of members: 2,000

Switch is a facilitator of home-for-home exchanges. The site is free.

Green Theme International
# of members: 1,575

Green Theme International facilities reciprocal home exchange, like HomeExchange, whereby members exchange their house for a short or long period of time with someone else. It puts a focus on eco-friendliness and had a yearly membership fee.

The Jolly Guest
# of listings: 1,500

The Jolly Guest is a home "exchange community in which human sentiment, trust and generosity prevail over any other value". Members can gather JollyKeys in exchange for providing accommodation at their home, which in turn they can use to stay at other people's homes. Hence, this system can be a simple home exchange or an altruistic hosting like BeWelcome or TrustRoots.

Commercial
This chapter focuses on accommodation which the host will earn money with (per night). Often a commission and sometimes even an annual flat fee is charged by the website. For all costs, see the Summary above. Many of the apartments are rented fully commercially, with the host living elsewhere.

Google Maps
# of listings: Zillions of guest houses, BnBs, and homestays besides the ones from Booking.com (as affiliate) and Airbnb

Google Maps is actually a map application but supports searching and finding countless hospitality places. The advantage of using Google Maps is that for many places you will find direct contact information like a website, email address or a phone number (for WhatsApp). If you use Google, you are potentially tracked and exposed to commercials, but direct contact to a hospitality place makes things much more personal and should be less expensive in general. And like Booking.com and Airbnb, places are often rated and reviewed on Google Maps.

Booking.com
# of listings: 5,720,034 vacation rentals, 628,066 apartments, 145,094 guest houses, 79,349 BnBs

Booking.com is mainly a hotel reservation website for commercial purposes. However, it also offers many listings of private people, like vacation rentals, apartments, guest houses, and BnBs. Especially in remote regions, it can be of advantage over other websites offering similar places. Often places are listed on several places concurrently, like hostels on Booking.com but also on Airbnb, or private apartments on Airbnb but also on Booking.com.

9flats
# of listings: 6,000,000

9flats is a website for finding and renting other people's apartments in 104 countries around the world. It was founded in 2010 by a former executive of lastminute.com and has an active host community.

Airbnb
# of listings: 4,000,000

Airbnb was founded after two San Francisco locals rented out their airbed during a conference that made it hard to find accommodation. The service enables members to rent out their spare house, apartment, room(s), or couch in exchange for monetary compensation. Members can read reviews left for other members and their accommodation. Accommodation can be searched for based on several parameters including specific neighborhoods, privacy, and price. The amount of interaction between the host and the guest varies: in some cases the host will spend a lot of time with their guests and in other cases, they will never meet at all. Airbnb collects service fees from both the host and the guest from every booking. If the guest damages the property of the host, the host may be eligible for reimbursement from Airbnb under its $1,000,000 guarantee. Many hotels, hostels and guesthouses use Airbnb, which makes it harder to distinguish between a "real" host and a hospitality business entity.

Misterbnb
# of listings: 210,000

Misterb&b was envisioned as a LGBT-friendly alternative to Airbnb. Co-founder Matthieu Jost had used services like Airbnb in the past with mixed results. After several uncomfortable experiences, Jost looked into starting his own alternative. The site is modeled on Airbnb. The main function of the website is to match prospective LGBT travellers with LGBT-friendly hosts in numerous cities throughout the world. The website encourages its hosts to make their apartments or rooms available during major LGBT events in their city. It also acts as a social networking service, travel guide, and community for gay travellers throughout the world.

Innclusive.com
# of members: unknown (Alexa ranking higher that ATC)

Innclusive.com, formerly Noirebnb.com, also aims to address issues of discrimination on other home-style platforms.

Affordable Travel Club
# of members: 2,400+

Affordable Travel Club is a bed and breakfast hospitality exchange club founded in 1992. It is for people over the age of 40. It has members all across the US and Canada, as well as Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, and South America. The annual membership fee is US$65, and guests pay their host a nominal gratuity of US$15 (single) or US$20 (double) per night. Registration is online and members receive online access, where they can search for hosts in locations they want to travel to and interact with Google Maps to help plan trips. Home Exchanges and House/Pet sitting are also available through the club. ATC is a community-oriented club with regular events. It is supported by a small staff.

Evergreen Bed & Breakfast Club
# of members: 2,000

Evergreen Bed & Breakfast Club is a hospitality exchange network for people over the age of 50 and is mostly active in the United States and Canada. There is an annual membership fee of US$75 and guests pay their host a nominal gratuity of under US$20/night. Registration is online. Members receive online access where they can search for hosts in locations they want to travel to and interact with Google Maps to help plan trips. There is also a Member Lounge for blogs, managing accounts and profile and classified ads such as Home Exchanges. The Club has paid staff and a toll-free number.

Mennonite Your Way
# of hosts: 1,700+

Mennonite Your Way is focused on Mennonites, although members do not need to be Christian to join. Hosts offer guests accommodation on a donation basis, but donations are recommended. The offline lists of hosts can be obtained by a recommended donation.

Noirbnb.com
# of members: unknown

Noirbnb.com aims to find a solution to the racial discrimination experienced while using other home-sharing platforms. However, the activity and volume of the website seems to be rather limited.

Knok
# of members: unknown

Knok facilitates home exchange and apartment rental for families traveling with children. New members pay a listing fee of $29/year.

Obunia.com
# of members: unknown

Obunia.com aggregates vacation rentals listed on other sites such as HomeAway and RoomORama.

WorldEscape
# of members: unknown

WorldEscape offers peer-to-peer short-term rentals focusing on unique and stylish accommodations in 40 cities around the world. Properties are hand-picked by WorldEscape representatives before being entered in a database organized by city. Booking service is very hands-on with WorldEscape managers on the ground in each of the cities that support both guests and property owners in person 24 hr a day, 365 days a year. This makes a huge difference on those rare occasions when things go wrong.

title: Hospitality exchange


text:
Hostels

Hostels, also known as youth hostels, backpackers' hostels, or just backpackers, are a form of cheap accommodation for travellers, costing a fraction of what you'd pay at a hotel. Instead of having a room to themselves, hostel-goers typically sleep in a bunk in a "dormitory-style" room shared with other guests. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, depending on the hostel and the guest's preference. Shared rooms typically include lockers for storing backpacks or valuables, but you may have to bring your own padlock. Some hostels also offer private rooms, which are more expensive than bunks but still generally cheaper than a hotel.

Hostels are designed to reduce costs: bathrooms are shared, toiletries aside from hand soap and toilet paper are not provided, and if there is a free breakfast it will probably be skimpy and require you to wash your dishes. Many hostels cut costs in other ways too, for instance, by charging extra for towel rentals, requiring guests to make their own beds, or closing during the day and not letting guests back in until later in the afternoon.

But hostels have their benefits, too – first and foremost the low cost, which is the main draw for many visitors. Hostels also tend to have an informal, more social atmosphere than hotels. This makes them a good choice for solo travellers or anyone potentially looking to make a new friend. They usually have common areas, information on local attractions and travel to other destinations, and often a kitchen with dishes, cooking utensils, and places to store food. Some even have scheduled social events for any interested guests!

Hostels cater primarily to young people – a typical guest is in their twenties – but you can often find older travellers there too. Families with children are a rare sight, but some hostels do allow them in private rooms.

Understand
Hostels vary widely, with rules and regulations depending on the hostel, so expect to see a lot of "generally"s and "usually"s in this article. A few hostels impose a curfew, while most modern hostels let guests come and go at all hours. Some hostels impose a limit to the number of days you can stay though this is increasingly rare and usually not the case in backpacker hostels in Europe, Australia and North America. Some hostels have age limits: a minimum age (unless accompanied) and sometimes a maximum age. In a few instances, the older requirement that guests have to provide their own sheets or a "sleep sack" (a sheet folded over and sewn into a sleeping bag) still exists, though most hostels now prohibit guests from using their own linens to prevent them from bringing bedbugs into the hostel. Towels may be provided for free; if not, they can often be rented for a fee.

The style of lodging varies too: hostels may be in lovely historic buildings, resort-style camping villages or ordinary apartment buildings; some are spartan while others are almost luxurious. Most are clean and comfortable. Common facilities include a shared lounge, laundry room, and kitchen but these often depend on the country – self-service facilities tend to be available in high-wage countries. Most hostels provide free Wi-Fi and may have desktop computers for guests to use.

Different hostels have different vibes. So-called party hostels have plenty of booze available and are aimed squarely at young people ready to party, whereas others are calmer and may be more family-friendly. Rural (and small town) hostels often have a completely different character to those in the major cities. To find the best hostels, and the ones that suit your style, read reviews on different hostel booking websites.

If it's your first time staying in a hostel, you might want to try somewhere near home and only one location, and see how you like it. Some hostels can be very cozy and welcoming, but having a laid-back personality is definitely helpful. You can expect to be woken at any hour as other guests enter or leave a shared room. You share common facilities, and people vary in their tidiness and respect for others.

History
The concept of 'youth hostels', as they were originally known, started in about 1910 in Germany and was soon copied in several European countries. Originally, each Hostelling International organisation sought to provide low-cost accommodation in rural areas for young workers who were visiting from urban areas, with an emphasis on hiking, cycling and other healthy activities.

The movement exploded, with more than 2,000 hostels in Germany by 1932 and more in other parts of Europe. Hostels spread to the United States two years later, and after World War II they continued expanding around the world, still with an emphasis on rural areas and outdoor activities. In the post-war years, international youth travel was promoted as a way to increase understanding between countries and avoid military confrontation. Throughout the second half of the 20th century, hostelling continued to grow in popularity, and many hostels were opened in major cities, leading to the enormous range of hostels that exist today in a wide variety of locations.

Hostelling organizations
Many hostels have affiliated themselves with Hostelling International (HI, formerly International Youth Hostel Federation), a network of over 90 separate national hostelling organizations. Not all hostels are affiliated with HI, and there are also other hostelling networks. The best indicator of quality is a hostel's online reviews.

For some national hostelling organizations, you have to be a member to stay in a hostel. This can be membership of that organization, or another Hostelling International-affiliated organization. Other organizations do not require membership, but members get a discounted price.

Booking
It is advisable to book hostels in advance rather than just turning up and hoping that there will be a suitable bed. To find a hostel, search online or read reviews on hostel booking sites or online travel guides. Hostels vary widely, so make sure to read some reviews. If there are any features that are important to you (Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, lockers, a kitchen, social atmosphere...) do your research before booking. Also think about what time you'll be arriving and check what time you're allowed to check in. Some hostels have 24-hour check-in but some don't, so if you'll be arriving late, make sure you'll be able to check in.

Many hostels appreciate it when guests book directly with the hostel, so that they don't have to pay a commission to a booking site. Check their website to see if extra perks or a lower price is offered for direct booking.

Bring
A few useful items for hostels that you might not otherwise think to bring:

 * Flip flops or shower shoes — as mentioned below, hostel showers get a lot of use. Better safe than sorry—bring something to wear on your feet when you shower.
 * A padlock — different lockers have different shapes and sizes, so you may want to bring two locks of different sizes, in case one is too big or small to fit in the locker. Even if the hostel doesn't have lockers, you can use a padlock to lock your bag shut and attach it to your bed to deter theft.
 * Something to sleep in (pajamas, etc.) — in a hotel room you can do what you want, but in a shared hostel room, be respectful to your roommates and put something on to sleep in.
 * A sleep mask and/or earplugs — shared rooms tend to have people coming and going at all hours, and some of your roommates may snore, so these will help ensure you get a good night's sleep.
 * A flashlight — so you can hunt through your stuff in the middle of the night, without turning on the lights and annoying your sleeping roommates.
 * Soap — some hostels don't provide this in the bathrooms, and especially not in the showers.
 * A towel — sometimes towels are provided or can be rented or bought for an extra fee, but check when booking. If you bring your own, consider using a travel towel or Turkish towel, which dry more quickly and can be folded up compactly.
 * Possibly a sheet sleeping bag — most hostels provide sheets these days, but a few remote hostels find it difficult to wash all the bedding, and ask that you bring a sheet sleeping bag. This is a sheet sewn into the form of a sleeping bag, and either you can make one by folding an old sheet and sewing it up, or buy one at a camping equipment shop. To keep the beds clean, quilted sleeping bags are usually not allowed.

Sleep
Traditionally hostels only had bunk beds in shared dormitories (bedrooms). Most dormitories have around 4 to 8 bunks, but you can find also find them with just 3 or with as many as 30 or more. If a hostel offers shared rooms of different sizes, bunks in larger rooms will generally be cheaper. Usually the dormitory is only for one gender, and some hostels have greater separation with male and female floors. Increasingly, hostels are providing mixed-gender dorms too. Nowadays, you might encounter any of these combinations: female-only and male-only; female-only, male-only, and mixed; female-only and mixed; or just mixed. If the hostel allows a choice, you'll make it when you do the booking.

Some hostels also let you rent a (private) room (ensuite or shared bathroom), and usually are happy for male and female visitors to share a room that they have booked. If a hostel is not busy, then smaller dormitories may also be let as complete rooms. If you are travelling with younger children, the hostel may insist that you rent a room.

Shared rooms are almost always cheaper than private rooms, but they are a step down in terms of comfort. In a shared room you won't have much privacy or personal space to yourself, and you should keep careful track of your belongings and lock them up when you leave. You may have to put up with snoring or messy roommates, and since people keep widely varying hours, there's a decent chance you'll be woken up by people coming in or out. On the other hand, a shared room offers a great opportunity to get to know other travellers. Along with the savings in cost, that may make the inconvenience worth it. A few hostels have curtains attached to the beds for a little bit of privacy, and otherwise, if you're on the bottom bunk, you can still make it feel a bit more private by hanging your towel from the bunk above you to separate your bed from the rest of the room a little.

Kitchens
Many hostels provide shared kitchens for you to prepare your own food. However not all hostels do, so this is something to check when booking. Some hostels have a cafe, or serve meals (maybe only breakfast) at set times.

The cooking facilities vary greatly between hostels. This can affect both the basic facilities (number of hobs for cooking, etc.) and the provision of pans and plates, etc. Often the facilities in a busy city hostel take a lot more abuse than a rural one.

It is best to design your meals so that you do not need a lot of cooking facilities. Otherwise you may have difficulties if the hostel doesn't have an oven (or others are using it), or you can only use two rings on the gas hob.

You're expected to clean up after yourself when using a shared kitchen. Wash the dishes after you use them, clean up anything you spill, and generally be considerate to your fellow guests. If the kitchen is busy, wash your pans before eating so others can use them.

If you leave food in a shared fridge, make sure that it is wrapped and labelled with your name and when you are staying. Bring some colourful carrier bags from home, as these will be easy to spot in a fridge full of bags from the local supermarket. Many hostels also have a shelf for unopened food packages that visitors brought but could not take along on their trip. Check with the hostel whether they permit you to leave behind unopened food packages for others to consume.

Meals provided
This very much depends on the hostel, but some will provide free breakfast. If yours does, come with low expectations—it is unlikely to be as good as breakfast at a hotel. Bread, jam, juice, coffee, and maybe some fruit or cereal is par for the course. The free breakfast supplies may run out shortly after the advertised start time. Even if breakfast is provided, you'll probably have to wash your dishes after eating.

Some hostels go further and offer dinner or alcoholic drinks as well (though these are unlikely to be free, except maybe free beer at some party hostels). Other hostels don't serve meals but may be attached to a restaurant or bar where you can get a drink or a bite to eat. Even hostels that don't offer any food may have free coffee or tea. As with anything else at a hostel, check before booking if this is important to you.

Work
It's possible to "volunteer" at a hostel—work there for a few hours a day in exchange for a place to sleep. You can look for hostels seeking volunteers online, or you may have success reaching out to individual hostels and asking if they could use someone for a few weeks. Keep in mind that there may be a staff dorm room for "volunteers" to sleep in; don't expect it to be anything more than a windowless cupboard with a bunk in it.

Stay safe
In terms of personal safety, hostels are generally as safe as other forms of accommodation like hotels or Airbnbs. Hostel managers are conscious of safety and are quite willing to evict guests who act inappropriately. Just read some online reviews beforehand, use common sense, and trust your instincts if something seems weird. If you're really nervous, some hostels offer private rooms. At worst, in the unlikely event that you get to the hostel and your roommates are weirding you out, you can ask the hostel employees if they can switch you to a different room, or even go to a different hostel or a hotel if you have to.

If you're a woman and you don't feel comfortable sharing a room with men, most hostels have female-only dorms. Keep in mind that mixed rooms sometimes end up having more men than women. Would you feel comfortable being the only woman in a room full of men? If not, you may want to go for a female-only room just in case.

It's a good idea to look up the neighborhood before booking. Some hostels (but by no means all!) are located in seedier areas to save costs, so research the city you're staying in and double-check that the hostel isn't in a rough neighborhood.

There is always a small risk of items being stolen, so you need to take care. Increasingly, hostels provide lockers or safes where you can store your bags (or at least your valuables), though sometimes you do have to bring your own padlock. Just follow basic common sense and be sure to lock up electronics, cash, and other valuables.

Some hostels have an area where you can store luggage for the day after you check out. If checkout time is 10:00 in the morning and your bus doesn't leave until the evening, this can be helpful so you can use the day to explore the destination a bit more without lugging your stuff around with you. This area is more secure in some hostels than in others.

Stay healthy
Wear flip-flops or shower shoes in the shower. Hostels generally work hard to keep the bathrooms clean, but they get a lot of use from lots of different people. You never know if one of your roommates just got back from a tropical rainforest where they decided to walk around barefoot...so it's better not to take chances.

A few hostels have a pet dog or cat. If you like animals, this can be delightful! And the pets must love having so many people to play with. But if you're allergic, you may want to check beforehand.

Respect
The key principle of hostel etiquette is to be considerate of the other guests. Since practically everything is shared, you'll have to make more of an effort than you would in a hotel. A lot of this should be common sense, but not everyone seems to realize it, so here goes:

Clean up after yourself—in the bedroom, the bathroom, the kitchen, and anywhere else. Around mealtimes there may be a lot of people trying to use a limited number of dishes and utensils, so wash them after you use them, with dish soap (which should be provided by the hostel). If you make a mess, clean it up! And don't eat other people's food from the kitchen, unless it's specifically marked as free for the taking.

In the dorms, be as tidy as possible. Don't leave your stuff lying around the room for your roommates to trip over, and don't put it on anyone else's bed. Respect other people's space: avoid messing with their belongings, and don't use their bed as a place to sit. At night when other people are trying to sleep, minimize noise (including music!), avoid conversations in the room, turn off your alarm clock the first time instead of hitting snooze, and don't turn on the light unless you have to. If you're planning to wake up early in the morning, try to organize your stuff the night before. If you do need to find something in your backpack while others are asleep, a flashlight or cell phone helps, and if you're going to be hunting through plastic bags, it's considerate to do it outside the room so the crinkling doesn't wake people up. Resist any temptation to engage in any...intimate activities in the shared rooms. And if you snore, consider other forms of accommodation.

Remember, a hostel is supposed to be more social than most forms of lodging—don't be shy! Common areas and dorms (as long as no one is trying to sleep) are great places to strike up a conversation. Language barriers are not uncommon—while there will usually be someone on the staff who speaks English, some of the guests may not. But with a bit of patience and ingenuity, you'll find a way to communicate.

Finally, probably the most important tip for a good hostel stay: try to be easygoing. Hostels and hostelgoers tend to have their quirks, and not everyone has gotten the memo about some parts of hostel etiquette. If you don't let that bother you too much, you'll have a much better time, and so will your fellow travellers.

title: Hostels


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Hotchkiss

Hotchkiss is a town in the Northwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado. It is also a part of the West Elks American Viticultural Area (AVA), part of Colorado's Wine Country and home to the highest wine vineyards in North America.

Understand
The Uncompahgre Valley was the ancestral home of the Ute nation. But in the late 1870s, the lure of the gold and silver deposits in the San Juan Mountains to the south proved too great for the white settler population to resist. Tensions boiled over with the Meeker Massacre in 1879. Pushed to the breaking point by the Federal government's insistence that they give up their nomadic way of life and become farmers, the Utes killed several whites and launched the so-called Ute War. Initially successful, the Utes were forcibly relocated to Utah, and Southwestern Colorado, near Cortez.

Less than a year after the Meeker Massacre, the first prospective settlers ventured into the North Fork area. They were a small group of mineral speculators from the mining town of Lake City. Led by Enos Throop Hotchkiss, who had made his money by discovering the Golden Fleece mine at Lake City, Hotchkiss's party surreptitiously scouted the valley and picked out likely homesteads while the Utes were still in possession.

Hotchkiss died in 1900, just a few months before the settlement was incorporated as a town.

Hotchkiss built its economy on land development, coal, orchards and ranching. The coal is still mined today, a hard anthracite, "clean burning" coal much in demand for power plants around the country.

A sleepy town with a classic "Main Street" row of 19th- and early 20th-century storefronts, Hotchkiss is a rich agricultural area located in the foothills of the Grand Mesa. The rich soil is perfect for growing peaches, apples, cherries, as well as grapes.

By the late 20th century, grape growers had discovered the area's potential for raising white wine varietals, and Colorado's wine industry migrated south from Grand Junction and Palisade. The West Elks American Viticultural Area was formed in 2001. Ranging from 5,400 feet (1646 m) to 6,400 feet (1951 m) above sea level, West Elks comprises the highest vineyards in North America.

Hotchkiss is home to the Delta County Fair, a rodeo and festival held every August.

The town is just 9 mi (14 km) away from the small town of Paonia, which hosts the Cherry Days Festival every July.

Get in

 * Montrose Regional Airport, 2100 Airport Road, , Fax: +1 970-249-2808 Regional service from Denver. Used most heavily during ski season. Café, vending, restrooms, car rentals.

There are also airports in Denver and Grand Junction.

 * Denver International Airport, . Commonly referred to as DIA.  It is about 20 miles to the east of downtown. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all maintain hubs at the airport in Concourses A, B, and C respectively. Most other major domestic carriers also have service here.
 * Grand Junction Regional Airport,, otherwise known as Walker Field, is served by six airlines with nonstop service from Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. Some service is seasonal.

By car
From Grand Junction, follow US 50 for 38 mi (61 km) south. Turn left at US 92 and continue for 20 mi (32 km).

From Glenwood Springs, follow US 82 for 11 mi (18 km), then turn right at US 133. Follow for 67 mi (108 km).

From Delta and Montrose, head northeast on US 92 for 20 mi (32 km).

By train
Amtrak serves nearby Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction with the California Zephyr, which runs daily between Emeryville (in the San Francisco Bay Area) and Chicago. For more information, see rail travel in the US.

But once at the rail station, you will still have to rent a car.

Get around
Downtown Hotchkiss is divided into East and West Bridge Street in the middle of town (at 1st Street). Bridge Street is also US 92 running east-west through town. The main drag is easily navigated by foot. But to see the surrounding area, you will need a car or bike.

Itineraries

 * Delta, Montrose, Paonia & Hotchkiss - Follow US 92 west along the Gunnison River. Turn north on US 65 and stop at the wineries along Surface Creek, on the south slope of Grand Mesa, the largest flattop mountain in the world. Or, travel along the North Fork of the Gunnison River on US 92 east out of Delta and then US 133. This will take you to Hotchkiss and Paonia, where you will find yourself in the West Elks AVA.

Winery tours
The West Elks AVA is home to many fine wineries in Colorado's Wine Country. Spend an afternoon tasting and buying local wines.

Festivals & events

 * February - Annual Mardi Gras in Paonia, Delta Home and Garden Show, Hotchkiss Antique & Collectible Show
 * March - Eckert Crane Days
 * May - Hotchkiss Annual Sheep Camp Stock Dog Trials, Annual Art Competition and Community Garage Sales, Annual River Awareness Float Trip, Hotchkiss Lions Club Annual Car Show
 * June - North Fork Art Exhibit & Wine Tasting, Crawford Pioneer Days, Mountain Vineyard Wine Festival
 * July - Paonia Cherry Days, Dreamtime Festival, Deltarado Days
 * August - Delta County Fair
 * September - Delta Uncompahgre Blues Festival, Mountain Harvest Festival, Render the Rock Art Festival, Colorado Grand Car Show, Council Tree Pow Wow
 * October - Apple Fest in Cedaredge
 * November - Memorial Hall Fundraiser Arts & Crafts Fair, Downtown Snowflake Sale

Buy
Bridge Street is antique row in downtown Hotchkiss.

Internet access
Most hotels and coffee shops throughout the region offer wireless Wi-Fi access. But if you don't have a computer, try the public libraries.

Go next

 * Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. A huge hot spring pool that is the signature attraction of Glenwood Springs.
 * Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - A deep, narrow gorge.
 * Curecanti National Recreation Area - The visitor center is off US 50 on the access road to Morrow Point Dam.
 * Uncompahgre National Forest - Over a million acres comprise some of the most spectacular views in the Rockies.

title: Hotchkiss