In years gone by the lines of distinction between hotels and hostels were very clear, but these days things aren’t quite so straightforward. Certain hostels have renamed themselves ‘budget hotels’ whilst most offer private rooms that aren’t all that different from the traditional idea of a hotel. So, if you’re choosing between staying in a hostel or a hotel, it’s not always straightforward.

That said, certain differences remain that can be key to your decision. Primarily, hostels require a little (not a lot) more effort in the sense that you don’t get quite so much luxury or as many services as you would get in a hotel. If you’re scouring for late holiday deals, a hostel might be the best option, however, if you’ve booked through a well-known holiday company like Thomas Cook, for example, you’re more likely to pay a little extra and end up in a hotel.

Another key factor is food, most hostels have something in the way of cooking provision and put on a rather functional breakfast for their guests. Don’t expect a full fried breakfast, but you can expect the food to be plentiful and to fill a hole. With hotels, you’re certain to get better food, but then the cost is higher.

If you want your own space, you can always get a private room in a hostel, these are a little bit more expensive, but fundamentally not greatly different from a hotel room. You may have to share the bathroom with several other rooms, or you may have your own bathroom (if you’re really lucky), but that’s no great trial.

That said, by far the cheapest accommodation is to share a dorm (usually with complete strangers), it’s a great way to meet people, and because you pay for just the bed you save quite a lot of money. On the other hand, there’s always the chance that they’ll disturb you in the middle of the night by getting up and going to the toilet, or by coming back in late, but that’s the price you pay.

Another factor is the staff. In hotels you’re more likely to find staff who fall over themselves to be accommodating to your every wish, hostel staff are a different kettle of fish, but if you want to find a good local bar or a place to go out, you’re much more likely to have luck in a hostel than in a hotel.

At the end of the day, it’s all a question of what you’re looking for, if you’re travelling, a hostel might be the best bet because it’s cheaper and you’ll meet more people, whereas if you’re taking a well-earned break from work, you might want something a little more luxurious. It’s completely up to you.