Discover Hostel Territories in Cities Across the U.S.

Hostels are not for everyone, not even for most of the folks in the market for low-budget lodgings. But you would be surprised at how many hostels in this country and abroad are worth a look. These lodgings attract interesting people of all ages and offer private rooms besides bunk-style dorms; some are resort-like in their feel and amenities. Some of them are loud, party-hearty places; others are low-key, even staid.

The best-known hostels tend to be affiliated with the 66-year-old Hostelling International-American Youth Hostels, but the consensus among hostelers is that, although impeccably run, more than a few HI-AYH hostels tend to have a standardized feeling and some are even a tad impersonal. Because an integral part of the hosteling experience is interacting with other travelers, many hostelers look to independent hostels, where the atmosphere is more laid-back.

The flip side to “freewheeling” is that standards among the independents are all over the map. For every Banana Bungalow (a chain with properties in Hollywood, Honolulu, Miami Beach, San Diego and Santa Barbara) you could find yourself in an unsanitary dump like the two I visited recently in a major Southern city.

How to find the gems? You can use guidebooks, periodicals and Internet sites, such as https://www.hostels.com, but even if they provide descriptions, many don’t offer real evaluations. One of the better guides that does is Globe Pequot Press’ “Hostels U.S.A.,” by Evan Halper and Paul Karr. It’s not perfect, but it’s worth the $14.95 price.

Meanwhile, here are my picks in popular U.S. destinations:

Boston: The Farrington Inn has more private rooms (38) than dorm rooms (five, with 20 beds). It is near Boston University and an easy commute to the downtown historic district. Amenities are a bit thin, but rooms do have phones, televisions and kitchenettes. The cost is $45 to $55 in winter and $65 to $90 in summer; dorm beds are $25 each. 23 Farrington Ave., telephone (800) 767-5337, Internet https://www.farringtoninn.com.

Chicago: The Chicago International Hostel is a three-story brick building near Loyola University, an easy subway ride north of downtown. There are 20 dorm rooms ($15 a bed) and six private rooms for $40 with private baths and $35 without. 6318 N. Winthrop Ave., (773) 262-1011, Internet https://www.hostels.com/us.il.html.

Miami Beach: The local Banana Bungalow is trimmed in neon and boasts a restaurant, pool with bar and a resort-style activities roster. Dorm beds start at $16, and the 60 private rooms, $56 to $83, have air conditioning, phones and television. 2360 Collins Ave., tel. (800) 746-7835, Internet https://www.bananabungalow.com.

New York: Right off Times Square in the theater district, the Big Apple Hostel has 11 private rooms for $75 with phone and television, and dorm beds for $28. There’s a backyard barbecue and Internet access, but, sorry, no advance reservations for July and August. 119 W. 45th St., tel. (212) 302-2603, Internet https://www.bigapplehostel.com.

San Francisco: Pacific Tradewinds Guest House in Chinatown is small, mellow and intimate. Grouped in three rooms, the 28 dorm beds cost $16 a night. 680 Sacramento St., tel. (415) 433-7970, Internet https://www.hostels.com/pt.

Seattle: Big Foot Hostel is in an 1890s house in a bustling neighborhood near downtown. It’s popular with young foreigners. Beds start at $14.50, the two private rooms at $30. 126 Broadway East, tel. (800) 600-2965.

Washington, D.C.: In a mansion in Dupont Circle’s embassy area, the Columbia Guest House is nicely low-key and offers beds from $14 and seven rooms from $30 (from $23 with student identification). 2005 Columbia Road N.W.; tel. (202) 265-4006.