Ayh-American Youth Hostels

I’ve been to a few of American Youth Hostels and Hosteling International hostels (I’m a life member), and the most important thing I’ve learned is to keep an open mind. This seems simple and obvious, but it’s the truth.
Most people who leave a youth hostel disappointed do so because they expected the wrong things. It is NOT a hotel, so doing your part to clean up after yourself (especially in public areas like the kitchen and bathroom) is expected but not demanded. This type of courteous behavior means a lot to the people who run the hostels (who are either locals or know the area very well), and if they see that you care and respect your environment they will do as much as they can to make your stay a memorable experience. They also know A LOT of secret getaways and tricks for tourists, so getting on their good side will only help you out in the end.
Staying at hostels is a great way to meet people from all over the world, especially if you sleep in the shared dorm-​like rooms. You will, however, encounter some snoring or more personal information about relative strangers than you ever wanted to know, but the experience is worth it. The last time I stayed at a hostel in CA I met some very nice Germans, who were touring the western coast. If sharing a room doesn’t sound comfortable to you, you can pay a little extra (and this is actually very little extra) for a private room, usually for 2 — 4 people. During tourist seasons, these get taken pretty quickly, so a reservation is in order.
Most hostels do not allow sleeping bags or personal pillows for sanitary reasons. However, a set of clean sheets, pillow case and towels come included in the price for your stay. There is no room cleaning service, so you make your own bed and tidy your own room as you see fit. Many people object to this, but for the low price and great locations it is easily overlooked. It’s also safer for your personal items if you are in a private room. In shared rooms, there are free day lockers to put your things in. All you need is a personal lock and you’re free to wander with a free conscience.
AYH and HI hostels are a great form of budget travel. Depending on the hostel, a bed for one person is generally in the range of $ 30 per night or less (depending on the location in the USA). Private rooms are only a few dollars more per person per night. You can also save by making your own meals. The fully functional communal kitchens vary in size and quality, but all of the ones I’ve seen are clean and organized. Everybody can store their personal food in the refrigerators and shelves during their stay, and any left overs can be put in a communal ‘free’ bin for other guests. It is wise to mark your food with the provided tape and marker, to ensure other guests will respect your food as you respect theirs.
All in all, hosteling really is like home away from home, and I would highly recommend it.