Break The Mould: 10 Coolest hostels around the world

Dione Chen 29 Jun 2016

1/10
Lucky Lake Hostel, The Netherlands
This little caravan park must be one of the most fun and adorable hostels around, boasting of a mixture of colourfully-decorated caravans, cabins and dorms that you get to pick for your stay. The atmosphere is extremely vibrant around here, as travellers from all over the world interact with each other via a certain number of communal facilities, such as the outdoor kitchen that's strewn with twinkly lights, or the Lucky Lounge equipped with games, speakers and more. Or, how about the cute school bus that hosts breakfast every morning? Yes, this hostel is almost a dream come true for the young or the young at heart. Situated within the Dutch countryside, you'll have the perfect balance of life and tranquility staying here!
Vinkenkade 75, 3645 AP Vinkeveen (Amsterdam), The Netherlands
Photo: Lucky Lake Hostel
2/10
Jumbo Stay, Sweden
Aviation enthusiasts, your dreams have finally come true! Stay on board a Boeing 747-212B from 1976 and live the high life - on the ground! Go all the way for the cockpit suite and experience the night of your lifetime looking out of the plane directly from the pilot's seat. Don't worry, there's lots of legroom in this jet, so you'll experience a most comfortable stay for sure!
Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Stockholm, Sweden

Photo: Jumbo Stay
3/10
Radeka Down Under, Australia
Escape the heat of summer or the freezing temperatures in winter by living underground, in what was once an opal mine that's now turned into a place of accommodation! Fully equipped with a communal kitchen, pool table and daily tours of the city, you won't have to worry one bit about how to spend your day in Coober Pedy. This small town is famous for its opal treasures, so you might want to check out whether any events might interest you before travelling to your destination. Feel free to do some stargazing at night as well - it's not every day you get such a wonderful and extraordinary experience!
1 Oliver Street (Corner of Hutchison St & Oliver Street), Coober Pedy, South Australia
Photo: Radeka Down Under
4/10
Kadir’s Tree Houses, Turkey
If you've never built a treehouse in your childhood days, now's the time to live in one that's already prepared for you. This quaint little spot reminds us exactly of a village from years past, with cobbled stone walkways and colourful graffiti on the walls of each house. The sensation of freedom and adventure is overwhelming, so come and experience this amazing stay while you still can! The hostel offers an array of day tours and activities consisting of scuba diving and rock climbing as well, if you're up for the challenge.
Yazır Mahallesi Olimpos Mevkii, Kumluca/Antalya
Photo: Kadir's Tree Houses
5/10
Railway Square YHA, Australia
Does this platform look like a railway station to you? Well, you're partially right. Located on Platform 0 of Sydney's Central Station lies one of the most unique backpacker hostels you'll ever lay eyes on. Stay in a railway carriage for the night and interact with a mix of international guests in the day at the historic main building, and perhaps have a soak in the hostel's very own pool! Yup, don't be surprised. Hostels and swimming pools aren't that rare a mix after all.
8-10 Lee Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Photo: Railway Square YHA
6/10
Hostel Celica, Slovenia
You've never seen unusual until you've lived in a prison cell. Although this hostel, which once housed prison inmates for more than a 100 years, has undergone the full renovation process and is now one of the prettiest hostels in the world, it continues to serve as a poignant reminder that prisoners are people too, just like us. This creatively designed space that still maintains its prison bars behind each hostel room door will definitely leave you thinking about life and beyond.
Metelkova 8, SI - 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Photo: Hostel Celica
7/10
Generator Hostels
Now, this one isn't going to be about just one hostel, but a group of hostels termed Generator Hostels, located all over Europe. These hostels bring new life into budget travelling, combining style and luxury with affordability and taking care to provide for all our traveller needs. If you want to experience the full hostel life, choose a shared dorm. However, if you're not so adventurous just yet, feel free to crawl into the comforts of your own ensuite room, that really feels more like a luxury hotel than anything else. The quirky designs of the hostel are sure to intrigue you, but you'll have all the time in the world to be amazed by these pretty patterns if you book a room at one of the Generator Hostels today!
Click here for a list of locations.
Photo: Generator Hostels
8/10
The Clayzy House, Thailand
If you know just how to appreciate an accommodation that's built completely by hand, The Clayzy House is perfect for you. Don't expect luxurious facilities like air-conditioning or TVs in your little hut, but you can be prepared for an amazing time getting to know like-minded travellers, exploring the eco-friendly world of bamboo and clay houses and perhaps even contributing to the creative community with a little painting or graffiti work yourself! This place may be one of the cheapest stays you'll ever get in your life, but you'll certainly leave this place with precious experiences that will make you feel like the richest person in the world.
237 M.3 Saladan, Koh Lanta, Krabi, Thailand
Photo: The Clayzy House
9/10
Youth Hostel Bacharach, Germany
Have you always dreamed of living the princess life, in a castle, far far away? Perhaps you might want to check this hostel out. The historic Castle Stahleck from the 12th Century has been refurbished into a youth hostel, overlooking the gorgeous Rhine Valley and attracting travellers from all over the world. Pretend to be royalty just for a day or two as you walk down the romantic streets of the town of Bacharach and admire the views of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Burg Stahleck, Bacharach, Germany
Photo: Bacharach
10/10
Rivoli Cinema Hostel, Portugal
We end off our list with one of the most adorable hostels we've ever seen. Centred around a movie theme, get ready to feast your eyes on the largest collection of DVDs that you are entitled to borrow. Each hostel room is designed according to a different film, and you are free to choose which room you want to stay in from the titles of the movies. The location of the hostel is also extremely convenient, so you can either choose to stay in and relax with a film or two in hand, or go out and explore the city whenever you're ready.
R. do Dr. Magalhães Lemos 83, Porto, Portugal
Photo: Rivoli Cinema Hostel

Living in a hostel no longer means staying in run-of-the-mill, dingy conditions.

Hostels used to be stereotyped as shady, unremarkable locations that only backpackers or budget travellers would think of staying in. Of course, there is good reason to continue thinking this way, especially since they have built up such a reputation for themselves over the years. However, times are undeniably changing, and the line between a hotel and a hostel is gradually blurring. With the increasing number of amped up hostels that are equally, if not more, gorgeous compared to a hotel room, we can hardly tell the differences any longer.

You may have a list of travel destinations you would like to tick off, but do you have a list of places you’d love to stay in as well? Let us help you with that. Hotels may be able to offer you the glamorous life for a week or two, but these hostels in our gallery are going to provide you with the most interesting themes for you to explore! What’s more, all of these places will definitely add to your Instagram album with the pretty decor that you’ll be able to play around with.

Enough talking on our part, you’ll have to scroll through our gallery to fully understand why these places make us so super excited. Make sure you book a room for more than three days, or you’re going to regret not getting enough of these amazing accommodations!

Dione Chen

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