As summer travel kicks into full swing, many look to hostels as a way to cut costs. But to some, hostels offer more than just a place to hang your hat. Hostels can provide a social network that is difficult to find when traversing the globe to faraway destinations. Whether you meet fellow travelers in the lobby (or the bathroom if you aren’t too shy) and wind up dancing together that night, or befriend that cute local working the front desk and have him give you an insider’s tour, hostels make it possible to connect with others to maximize your experience in a brand new place. Of the many gay-friendly hostels around the world, booking site HostelBookers has compiled a list of their top five:
1. Madrid: Gay Hostel Puerta del Sol
This cheap stay in Puerta del Sol Square couldn’t be more central (or easier to find). Very clean and well-equipped with free Internet and TVs in every room, prices start at just €20 pppn, including breakfast and homemade buns…This friendly hostel also has great advice for gay travelers in Madrid and can offer free entry to some of the most popular gay discos in the city.
2. Rio de Janeiro: El Misti Hostel
Cosmopolitan Rio has a large gay and lesbian community and a hedonistic club scene that attracts millions of visitors each year. Just three blocks from Copacabana beach, this gay hostel in Rio de Janeiro is right in the heart of the action. The hostel’s open-door policy attracts a diverse crowd that makes for a vibrant atmosphere. They even offer a free pick up from the airport or bus station to help you get straight down to partying hard!
Slightly off the beaten track and with a great location in the Chueca neighborhood, which is world-famous for its gay and lesbian nightclubs (A Noite, Gris, Long Play), it’s easy to see why this smart Madrid gay hostel has impressed its guests. The welcoming staff provide information on (and sometimes discounts for) all the top events and clubs in the district, helping travelers to get their bearings and make the most of their stay in the city. It may not be a party hostel, but it offers clean, comfortable rooms at a great price – perfect for a laid-back tour of this famous city.
4. San Francisco: Elements Hostel
Located in the colorful Mission district, Elements Hostel is an affordable place to head home to after a night out in San Francisco’s notorious gay scene. With both dorms and private rooms available, this gay hostel in San Francisco also has a restaurant and rooftop bar with great views over the city.
5. London: London House Gay Hostel
One of just a handful of hostels catering exclusively to gay travelers in London, London Hostel Gay House has provided a friendly, comfortable place to stay since 1984. Newly remodeled in 2003, this gay hostel has a lounge area and kitchen that offer an informal, friendly base for exploring the city, as well as a good place for making new friends.
Know of a fabulous gay hostel that didn’t make the list? Share it with us and spread the love!
Photos courtesy of HostelBookers.com
