If hearing the word “hostel” conjures images of dorm-like accommodations and cramped, shared bathrooms, you’re not alone. A favorite among backpackers and budget travelers, hostels have been known to offer affordable lodging without the frills of a hotel – and yes, that usually means sleeping on a bunk bed in a room full of strangers.
However, we’ve rounded up some of the most luxurious hostels in Europe, with some offering rooftop lounges, game rooms, and private cinemas.
Les Piaules, Paris, France
Recently voted the best hostel in Paris, Les Piaules offers a downtown location with a rooftop lounge and trendy decor. You can bunk with a group or purchase your own room with a private bathroom starting at $50 per night depending on your travel dates and accommodations.
Wallyard Concept Hostel, Berlin, Germany
Starting at just $14 per night for a bed, Wallyard is a beautiful hostel in Berlin that offers private and shared rooms as well as modernly designed common areas that include lounges, laundry services, and bike rentals.
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Stay Hostel, Rhodes, Greece
You’ll feel right at home in this impressive hostel that has ample shared spaces including a gym, lounge, kitchen, terrace, cinema, and library. At Stay, you can also reach several beaches on foot in about 5-10 minutes.
Generator, Venice, Italy
Generator is an experience and design-led hostel in Venice on Giudecca Island, one quick stop on the Vaporetto from Piazza San Marco. With beds starting around $14 per night, you’ll find luxurious mosaic floors, a glass chandelier, and an imposing stone fireplace.
Marco Polo Hostel, St Julian’s, Malta
A 2017 Best Hostel in Malta Award Winner, Marco Polo Hostel offers a selection of different rooms ranging from private suites to 12-bed dorms in an incredible location. With multiple stories, a rooftop bar, and planned group activities, they do their best to provide the full Malta experience for guests.
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ClinkNOORD, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Find the hostel Clink on the banks of the River IJ in Amsterdam Noord, one of the city’s most creative and culturally vibrant areas. Simple but stylish Dutch design can be experienced throughout its private and shared rooms.
The Independent Hostel & Suites, Lisbon, Portugal
At The Independent, you’ll have access to a guest only lounge where film screenings, communal dinners, and other entertaining gatherings are regularly held. Shared and private beds start around $20 per night.