Why Choose a Hostel Rather Than a Hotel?

If you’re a travel junkie, you’re sure to come across die-hard hostel, or backpacker, fans throughout your trip. As hostels become more savvy and begin to provide a greater range of options for travelers, they’ve become more popular for those who wish to lodge with like-minded travelers (why, the young and the young-at-heart, of course) and save some money in the process. For those of you who’ve never stayed in a hostel before and are looking to take the leap, here are the top reasons for choosing a hostel from those of us who are converted.

Value For Money

Hostels have become more advanced with time, and for those who’d prefer to spend their money on other costs, such as food and drink, excursions, or longer trips, they offer great value for the money by keeping costs to a minimum while also offering other benefits you can’t get from hotels, such as a cooking or barbecue area.

Social & Cultural Interaction

One of the best things about staying in a hostel rather than a hotel is that they facilitate interaction with other like-minded travelers. Many find themselves altering itineraries in order to fit in suggestions from, or excursions with, new-found friends! Hostels like Pirwa focus on young people interested in meeting others, but those craving privacy can always opt for private rooms rather than shared dormitories.

Each Pirwa hostel is different, but all have common areas for socializing, whether it’s hammocks in the patio, a rooftop terrace, bar, fast-food stand, and/or a TV and movie lounge with billiards, ping-pong, darts, or other games. Often, social activities are scheduled such as barbecues, tournaments for poker, twister, and other games, day-trips, movie nights, and dance classes.

Flexibility

Those without fixed itineraries will find that finding availability without a prior booking is much easier at a hostel than a hotel.

Local Flavor
Those of you who’ve stayed in hotel chains know that city to city, country to country, they don’t change. Many who choose staying in a hostel do so because they want to stay in a place with a more authentic local touch, preferably locally-owned like Pirwa.

Knowledge & a Personal Touch

Often people working in hostels are themselves backpackers and because of this they are usually a fountain of knowledge for anything and everything in the local area. Receptionists in a hotel may provide you with a map and a few pointers, but in a hostel these people really know what they are talking about and often go out of their way in order to help.

Trips and Tours

Hostels generally have a wide range of trip and tours on offer. In all Pirwa hostels, you can conveniently book short day trips or multiple-day tours and treks, as well as lodging in other cities of Peru and Bolivia.

Customized Facilities

Because hostels usually cater to a younger crowd, you’ll find that Wi-Fi is always free, and in the case of Pirwa Hostels, internet access is included as well, should you be without a computer. Since backpackers are often a thrifty lot as well, you’ll also find kitchens in all of Pirwa’s hostels, should you feel the need to fix up a quick snack. We provide the bed linens and towels, but as always in hostels, soap and shampoo are on you.

How We Address Backpacker Concerns

Security

A good hostel should be secure, ensuring that no one enters shared dormitories who is not a guest staying in that particular room, but you should also exercise common sense and not leave money, passports, cell phones, cameras, and other electronics or valuables lying around in a shared room. (In fact, whether you’re staying in a private room or shared, in a hotel or hostel, this is not a recommendable practice.)

Pirwa offers in-room lockers for your bags in the shared dormitories, secure luggage storage whilst you are in the middle of a hike or trek that will keep you away for a night or two, and lockers or safes around reception for those who require extra security for their smaller valuables. (The first two are included, the last is often a rentable service, depending on which locale you are staying at.)

Cleanliness

With so many people sharing common spaces, hostels have gotten a bit of a reputation for unhygienic practices, but hostels have improved in this area. Pirwa Hostels has daily cleanings, and for shared bathrooms, cleanings throughout the day, in order to ensure the comfort of our guests.

Most hostels provide individual lockers for your valuables, though you’ll need your own lock.  Otherwise, you can leave your valuables under lock and key at the reception.