Best Party Hostels vs Best Chill Hostels
The United States hostel culture is unique in its own right. There’s a mix of remote and urban hostels in places like Las Vegas, New Orleans, Brunswick (GA), and Big Bear Lake (CA), giving backpackers a range of different hostel experiences to choose from. Not all travelers seek out the party vibe, while some backpackers are looking for just that. This article will break down some of the best party hostels and some of the best chill hostels in the United States.
Best Party Hostels
Sin City Hostel in Las Vegas has become one of the top party hostels in the US. With a location in one of the biggest party cities in the US, Sin City Hostel makes the top of this list for party hostels in the United States. Their staff is known to take guests out to local parties, and they host weekly cookouts to bring guests together to socialize and mingle. The location is close to the Strip, and they have a spacious outdoor area for guests to hang out and play drinking games before getting their night started on the town.
Freehand Miami in Miami, Florida, is an ideal blend of chill and party. The Freehand chain of hostels and hotels blends luxury with budget-friendly travel, giving guests the option to either stay in a hotel room or a shared dorm. In Miami, their location features an in-ground pool, plus a cocktail bar on-site, and they’re known to have DJs come through and play on the weekends. Being so close to the clubs in South Beach and a highly social atmosphere, the vibes are high at Freehand, and even on weekdays can turn into a party.
Auberge NOLA Hostel in New Orleans, Louisiana, brings the party every night. No, seriously. Their daily event is a social hour that starts at the same time every day, bringing backpackers together to share drinks and travel stories. The mix of international guests, plus the constant stream of Americans experiencing New Orleans for the first time, makes the crowd at Auberge as eclectic as it is vibrant. The owners are known to pop in and hang out with the guests as well, making the vibe even that much more welcoming and inclusive.
Best Chill Hostels
The Hostel in the Forest, in Brunswick, Georgia, embodies everything about the word ‘chill’. With a ‘no cell phones in common areas’ policy, The Hostel in the Forest encourages guests to detach from their devices and immerse themselves in the moment. Sitting on 140 acres of land, The Hostel in the Forest is truly a green oasis with its heavy implementation of eco-friendly practices. The Hostel in the Forest features private treehouses, rooms, or shared dorms. They offer yoga and art retreats as well, and the hostel boasts what is known as The Glass House, which is a community space with waterfront views that is ideal for yoga and meditation practices.
Tucked away in High Rolls, New Mexico, Cloudcroft Hostel is a peaceful place to post up for a few nights. Its colorful decor and funky vibe radiate warmth, and the rooms have a rustic vibe to them. With access to tons of trails and hiking in beautiful New Mexico, Cloudcroft is perfectly located for adventurers and nature-lovers alike. It's close to White Sands, and naturally situated to offer great sunsets and sunrises. The summers in New Mexico offer plenty of opportunities to explore and stargaze at night, while the winters bring ski season, giving the guests at Cloudcroft a wide range of things to do year-round.
The ITH Big Bear Mountain Hostel & Lodge makes this list, even though it can get busy during PCT season. With a rustic cabin feel to it and plenty of space to spread out both inside and outside of the hostel, the ITH Big Bear Mountain Hostel & Lodge is built for relaxation. The building dates back more than 100 years, and its history radiates from the wooden floors, massive fireplace, and high ceilings. With proximity to ski hills and being a short walk from Big Bear Lake, the ITH Big Bear Mountain Hostel & Lodge offers a wide breadth of activities year-round for travelers. It’s a popular respite spot for PCT hikers or an ideal stopover for anyone making their way out to Joshua Tree for the weekend.
