Bali is the ultimate holiday destination. It has an amazing tourism infrastructure, beautiful beaches, cheap, modern accommodation and hostel options, an awe-inspiring history and culture and picturesque tropical surroundings. That’s not to mention the beautiful Balinese people who welcome visitors with open and welcoming arms.
Travelers and backpackers around the world love Bali. It is undoubtedly one of the most amazing and stunning islands on the planet. Accommodation options in Bali are countless, so it can be overwhelming to find the right place to stay in Bali. A popular option for many travellers is choosing to stay in a hostel. The number and types of people you will meet and share travel experiences with are tenfold, especially if you are traveling alone. Apart from regular facilities like rooms with nice interiors, TV, air-conditioning and good food, some Bali hostels also offer recreation facilities like social hubs and swimming pools. In fact, the standard of Bali hostels is quite similar to (if not exceeding) many of the hotels in Bali. Many hostels also offer guests the facility to make their own breakfast at extra cost. In this guide, there are some useful tips for staying in a hostel in Bali.
- Always book beforehand: Booking your stay at any of the Bali hostels in advance will make your trip more enjoyable as you won’t need to hunt for your stay as soon as you land here. There are a plethora of hostels which you can find online and book without any hassle. Try to book a hostel in a reasonable location and within a budget. Communicating with other backpackers and getting their recommendations can always be very helpful as well.
- Keep an eye out for boutique hostels:These are often the best type of hostel to stay in as they have personalised service, often a reasonable number of guests, detailed and well-thought out facilities and activities.
- Check the hostels online activity: You can often tell a lot about a hostel by its website. Older websites that are clearly not maintained, can sometimes mean that the hostel is run down aswell. On the other hand, a modern website and up to date social media pages
- Tick off the basics: Does the hostel have a pool? Breakfast included? Spacious dorms? Lockers for valuables? Clean bathrooms? A good location? A café or kitchen? Bali’s hostels generally all offer these features but it’s always a good idea to double check before booking.
- We said it before, but we’ll say it again; LOCATION:If you are on a tight budget, it is recommended that you choose a hostel close to the beach, shops, restaurants or what ever it is you think you’ll be spending most of your time doing (perhaps your favourite yoga shala). You can save a lot on transportation if you can simply walk down to whereever it is you need to go – a smart and economical accommodation choice will help you plan an extended stay in Bali and explore it to your heart’s content.
- On Arrival: One of best tips for staying in a hostelis to be open to new things. When you arrive and check in the hostel, first settle yourself. Sometimes being in a new country can be overwhelming but it’s good to be confident. Take a moment and introduce yourself to your roommates and even the staff. Just one connection can make your entire stay much more enjoyable The ambience and comfort of the Bali hostels will soon make you relaxed and in the holiday mood.
- Your Security & Valuables:The dorm rooms in hostels are generally always locked, meaning only those who have paid for the dorm have access. However, you must always secure your things and be cautious whenever you are sharing a room which strangers. When you check in to Bali hostels, ask at the hostelreception about where you can stash your valuable things like travel documents, passports or travelers’ cheques. Never store these valuables under your bed mattress or in your bag.
- Free Wi-Fi: In this day and age, there aren’t many hostels that don’t provide free wifi, however it’s always a good idea to not only double check that it’s free and not paid, but also that you are able to access it from throughout the entire hostel including your room, the swimming pool etc.
- Pool service: Most of the hostels in Bali sport stunning pool inspired by the picturesque ocean and surroundings. Check out the facilities available poolside in case you want to have a day relaxing from your hostel instead of expliring. Do they have a slide? Some games? Sun-baking chairs? A poolside café or bar? Some of the best times on your trip can be found right inside your own accommodation
- Fitness centers : If you are someone who loves to stay in shape even when on a vacation, then you will be glad to know that some of the high-quality Bali hostels offer fitness centres, often with experienced coaches or trainers, keep an eye our for these when booking.
- Food facility in Bali hostels: Be sure to book a hostel at which you can order your breakfast, lunch or dinner from the hostel kitchen, café or restaurant itself. This means if you’re feeling unwell, tired or just lazy, you can have at least one of your meals without having to battle too many foreign things such as taxis, traffic and more. Check out the menu as well to ensure it has the kind of food you might be after.
- Added facilities:Good hostels also provide facilities like luggage storage, clean towels and bed linen, hygienic bathrooms with great showers and changing rooms, etc; air conditioners, beauty and spa services, parking area, and lots more. Check for these when booking.
- International Hostelling or IH Card–a final piece of advice to book your stay in a hostel in Baliis to explore all the discount accommodation cards that are available. This must be done even before you leave for the trip i.e. during the planning stage. The most popular International Hostelling or IH Card is valid in all the major hostels worldwide. Such a card offers different offers and discounts for traveling and shopping.