HOSTEL RATINGS:AS TOURISTS TIGHTEN their belts across the globe, many people are turning to hostels as an affordable and exciting accommodation option. Gone are the days of dreary dormitories and smelly mattresses; Wi-Fi and cracking communal areas are now standard features in many hostels, with some boasting private ensuite rooms, saunas and even swimming pools.
This week Hostelworld.com, a Dublin-based website, gave out its Hoscar awards to the best budget accommodation in the industry, based on more than 800,000 votes. The top destination for backpackers is now the red-hot Portuguese capital, Lisbon, with its Travellers House picking up the prize for the world’s top hostel. Rossio Hostel and the Lisbon Lounge were in second and third places. Fourth place went to the Riverhouse Backpackers, in Cardiff, Wales, which also got an award for best staff. Greg-Tom Hostel, in Cracow, took fifth place.
On the domestic front, the west is best when it comes to budget accommodation. Aille River Hostel, in Doolin, Co Clare, was voted best Irish hostel, followed by Kilronan Hostel, on the Aran Islands, Kinlay House Hostel, in Galway, the Súgán Hostel, in Co Kerry, and Sleepzone at the Burren, at the Cliffs of Moher, in Co Clare.
Marlborough Hostel in Dublin also picked up an award for most improved hostel, and there can be little doubt now why most backpackers come to visit Ireland: the Backpacker Pub Crawl in Dublin won the award for best tour, with Wild Wicklow Tours in third place.