I had never stayed in a hostel before. I usually stay in hotels, and this trip to Australia (my R&R) I used AirBNB to stay in nice condos on the cheap. I decided to try my luck in a hostel my last 2 nights in Australia (specifically in the Gold Coast) before I headed back to Afghanistan...slumming it would help shoe horn me back into the dust bowl, right?
I called and made reservations to stay in a 4-person room, which was a miniscule $31 a night! The hotels around GC were STARTING at $200 a night! One lady was renting out her COUCH for over $100! Please.
I showed up on a rainy evening, checked in, got dinner, came back, got a beer from the bar at the hostel (the prices are about the same as at the store), and began journaling at one of the picnic tables in the courtyard area. The courtyard area at BPIP (Backpackers in Paradise) is the reason I think this place is so successful. Some hostels are just motels without any good area for socializing with people outside of your room.
I was instantly greeted by a guy from the UK and a girl from Canada. We spoke a while, and I also met one of my roomates, a girl from the UK as well. My other roomates were a girl from Italy, and a guy from Melbourne.
There are different set ups and rooms here, so definitely ask what's available: I stayed in a four person bunkbed room without AC, however I know they have private rooms there with AC and king/queen sized beds. The room I had also had its own bathroom which was fantastic.
BPIP also does it's best to arrange both fun/exciting activities as well as chill hangouts: we had a beer pong tournament with EVERYONE staying at the hostel, after which we all went out to a beach bbq and then to a club. In the mornings, they have hangover recovery activities like watching movies on their big screen in the recliner and couch room. I also believe there is karaoke.
Now remember, you are staying here for $31 a night, that means you'll be sharing your living area, bathroom, there may be nude europeans rolling around (I think a plus), and the quality of the bunk beds, mattress, and cleanliness (which is taken care of by the people staying there and getting paid min wage) definitely lack. But what would you expect for $31 a night? If anything, spend most of your time having fun and doing stuff...by the time you get back, you'll be so hammered and tired youll forget your mattress has no back support, and the guy above you wont stop rolling around causing your bunk bed to rock back and forth like a Northridge earthquake.
Hostels are very social, BPIP runs with that. I wouldn't stay at another hostel in GC after being here. If you are still concerned about hostel staying - then rent the movie Hostel, but only watch up until about 30 minutes in...after that it get's dicey (pun intended). read more