Hostels have a bad reputation of being outdated, unsafe accommodation options for budget-conscious travelers. While they are budget friendly they have a lot more to offer than just a bed to sleep in. Hostel travel is on the rise among Millennials, as the majority of hostels are centrally located, offer an unprecedented social scene and most importantly are Instagram-worthy.

Hostels often take up obscure buildings in the center of cities. including former courthouses in London and houseboats in Germany emphasizing the importance of an easy connection to the city.

Due to these central locations, hostels often become apart of the cities charm. Such as The Firehouse Hostel in Austin that has a hidden cocktail bar, searched for by locals, tucked behind a mysterious looking bookshelf.

This quirkiness attracts people who are passionate about exploring their hometown or travelers whose trip lasted longer than expected. Therefore the staff reflect the sense of wanderlust and contribute to the evolving nature of hostels. Always willing to share their “local" tips and tricks making no experience like the other.

Hostels are often viewed as the hub of the international party scene. This is partially true, many hostels have built-in bars, large communal spaces for guests to hang out at all hours of the night or coordinate their own infamous (usually free) bar crawls. However, unless you are staying at a hostel with a nightclub, a common European addition, you will be relatively unaffected by the decisions of your fellow travelers.

Regardless if your an early riser or a night owl, the social scene of a hostel is reflected throughout. Allowing you to bond with people from other countries as you embark on a walking tour of national parks, food tastings around a bustling city, test your knowledge of local customs at Trivia or enjoy an up and coming comedy act. Hostels that are at the front of change use their spaces to showcase local talent, meaning you never truly feel like an outsider looking in.

Every traveler is seeking something different from the city, which allows for collaboration of ideas and exposure of events, traditions and trendy neighborhoods that can not be found through a google search or a social media hashtag. Other travellers have the power to drastically change your view on a city, country or culture.

Hostels act like an open forum, where people who are seeking a greater connection to the world can engage in intellectual conservations. So before you know it you will be an expert on the entrepreneurial scene of South Africa, having dinner with Brazilian lawyers or adding another city to your itinerary.

The most shocking part of hostels is their professionally designed spaces. Gone are the days of boring reception areas and uncomfortable hang out spots. Hostels these days are embracing themes, such as the fieldhouse Jones in Chicago with an athletic theme complete with bleachers or the Casa Elemento that is a natural oasis, allowing guests to relax on a giant hammock overlooking the Columbian jungle.

So yes, bunk beds are off-putting however with the option for individual rooms, group travel spaces and traditional dorms hostelling has evolved. An industry being lead and challenged by globetrotting Millennials who want to experience it all, has and will continue to produce spaces that bond together travelers of all nations.