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It’s no secret that hostels get a bad rap. The first thing that comes to mind for most people are dark, dirty, bunkbed and stranger filled rooms in shady parts of town, with the only upside being that they are budget friendly and more conducive to making new friends. And if you’ve seen the movies Taken or Hostel, the upsides don’t ease your fears.
If the above is your idea of what staying in a hostel is like, let me tell you something – you’re wrong! While there are definitely some hostels that fit the creepy bill, these days the travel industry is beginning to cater more towards “Flashpackers,” or people who want the budget and social friendly atmosphere of a traditional hostel, with the “flash” and amenities of a hotel. Gone are the days of being stuffed into cramped dorm like rooms, luxury hostels provide you with the privacy and luxury deserving of a hardworking jetsetter – without totally blowing your budget.
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Don’t believe us? Check out a few luxury accommodations that will leave you feeling far from Taken, and change your mind about trying a hostel on your next getaway.
1 of 3 Photo Credit: Rodamón Marrakech
Known as one of Marrakech's most instagrammable hostels, Rodamón Marrakech is not your typical hostel. Private suites, a swimming pool oasis, free wifi and a rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Atlas Mountains and Jemaa el-Fnaa Mosque, are just a few of the amenities you'll find at this luxury hostel. The best part? You can book a private room for around $100/night. Way less than staying at one of the city's most instagrammable hotels, Royal Mansour, where rooms can start at $500/night and up.
2 of 3 Photo Credit: Casa Gracia Barcelona
Private suites and apartments with balconies boasting amazing city views, hydromassage bathtubs, kitchens, flat screen televisions and more, all within fifteen minutes of Plaça Catalunya - the heart of Barcelona. Sounding like a place that's going to cost your an arm and a leg right? Wrong! Casa Gracia offers all this and more starting at less than $200 during high season, which means it's even cheaper during low season.
3 of 3 Photo Credit: Daddy Long Legs
You wouldn't expect to find a luxe hostel in the middle of Cape Town's bustling city, but Daddy Long Legs is a hosteller's dream. Each bedroom in the old Victorian building has been redesigned by the creative minds of artists and musicians and features private ensuite bathrooms, kitchens, flat screens, wifi and more. The price is even better than the amenities, with rooms starting as low as $77/night.
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