Do you think a hostel NEEDS to have a kitchen for guests to use?
A blogger gives several reasons why hostels need kitchens. In addition to the most obvious reason - to save money – he offers these other benefits of a hostel kitchen.
1) Cooking in a different country is fun and a way to explore cultural differences.
…the shopping experience is always different. Sometimes a fun way I spend time getting used to a new locale is just seeing how the markets or grocery stores are laid out – some prices are ridiculous and certain things you can’t find back home are plentiful here.
2) You can meet and socialize with other travelers.
Bonding over food is one of the great ways to make new friends. Whether it’s sharing the same space and talking or cooking a big meal for your new found friends, it’s an experience that is easy to do and highly social.
3) It gives you a good excuse for down time.
This is great at the end of a long day of sightseeing when you really just want to stay inside and do things at your own pace.
In summary, a kitchen provides backpackers with a way to save money, explore and appreciate the local culture, socialize and share an experience with other travelers, and relax in comfort – the core values of a hostel represented in one room.
So why don’t all hostels have kitchens?
Some places just don’t have the room for kitchens while others avoid putting in such a perceived dead area because it’s one less zone that could be used for beds.
True. Also, some hostels provide paid food service so they don’t want their guests cooking for themselves. Others see a kitchen as a use of space that does not actively generate income. Some are afraid that a kitchen could cause a fire or safety hazard. And some hostels feel that a kitchen would increase the workload for their staff due to the extra cleaning involved. All are valid reasons.
From the perspective of a guest, a hostel needs a kitchen. What about the perspective of a hostel?
What constitutes a kitchen anyway? If a hostel provides a microwave and a water boiler, then a guest could conceivably cook a meal. Does that qualify as a self-service kitchen?
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