The Best Luxury Hostels in the World

Forget backpacker horror stories, Michelle Tchea discovers how hostels are stepping up their game and catering to the luxury traveller.

If you thought luxury travel and hostels could not co-exist, think again.

Call it a trend or perhaps a ‘disruption’ in the hotel industry, aided by the rise of the digital nomad, a new breed of hostels is demystifying stereotypes of living thrifty, and giving budget-conscious travellers a chance to indulge in hotel perks for hostel prices. Think designer furniture, technology-driven amenities and a private suite with a flat-screen TV and. Imagine a rooftop pool with views of Hollywood, a spa and wellness centre overlooking the Swiss Alps and even a stargazing chalet in the middle of Scotland. And all for some loose change.

Here are some of the best luxury-inspired hostels to help you plan your next holiday destination.

The Salty Pelican Yoga and Surf Retreat, Cascais, Portugal

Address: R. Madrid 6, 2765-419 Cascais, Portugal

Salty Pelican, Portugal. — The grand exterior of the beach retreat.

Yoga-junkies and surf-heads, this one is for you. If you thought yoga retreats came with a hefty credit card bill, venture over to the golden bays of Cascais in Portugal and stay at The Salty Pelican.

Created by three backpackers and powered by well-known surf brands Roxy and Quiksilver, expect everything you love in an expensive yoga retreat but for a fraction of the price. Opt for a variety of packages, including the seven-night surf and yoga package from $753 in low season, or simply kick back and relax for a few nights on the cheap: its dorm rooms start at $30 per night and private rooms overlooking the sea from $155. With free wi-fi and daily buffet breakfast, it’s a haven for beachgoers on a tight-budget.

TOC Barcelona, Spain

Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 580, 08011 Barcelona, Spain

TOC Barcelona puts trendy Japanese pod hotels to shame. A unique hostel in the heart of Barcelona with designer furniture and excellent hotel-like amenities. There is a terrace with a swimming pool, as well as free wi-fi, bar, kitchen, game zone and technology-charged rooms.

Just one of the stylish common area of the TOC Barcelona, Spain.

Double superior suites come with private terraces and panoramic views of the city from $120 per night; shared rooms start from $47 a night.

Freehand Los Angeles, USA

Address: 416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

With Freehand in Los Angeles, you can see the city of stars on a budget. Live it up like an A-list celebrity in downtown L.A., with spacious suites and upscale shared rooms which do not look like regular bunk rooms at all, thanks to local designers Roman & Williams. The private loft and largest suite, Burroughs Suite, are extremely spacious and equipped with free wi-fi, retro cinematic furnishings and a giant LED television. There are four bars and eateries to choose from: don’t leave without enjoying a cocktail at the Broken Shaker, located next to the rooftop pool deck.

The famous rooftop pool, Freehand, Los Angeles.

Rooms start at $86 a night.

WellnessHostel4000, Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Address: Panoramastrasse 1, 3906 Saas-Fee, Switzerland

If you ever dreamed of a white Christmas and wanted to do it in style – Switzerland would be the first choice, right? Rather than breaking your budget in St. Moritz or Montreux, give your wallet a break and visit WellnessHostel4000 in Saas-Fee. The contemporary architecture and high-quality upscale Swiss amenities – which include fitness centre, spa and award-winning restaurant – leave other hostels in the dust. A Finnish sauna, bio-soft sauna and whirlpool are just the beginning of the relaxation and wellness facilities on offer in this state-of-the-art hostel. You might not even feel inclined to leave the hostel and hit the slopes.

Chic and simple digs at the WellnessHostel4000, Saas-Fee, Switzerland.

Rooms from $100 per night.

Grand Ferdinand, Vienna, Austria

Address: Schubertring 10-12, 1010 Wien, Austria

Spread out over seven floors, the Grand Ferdinand’s 188 rooms range from opulent suites to elegant single rooms but the pièce de résistance is the hostel-like rooms attached to the historical hotel. The eight-bed dorm room is decked out in rich mahogany and marble. Rooms start at $45 per night: affordable luxury comes easily for Grand Ferdinand guests.

At your doorstep are all the museums, monuments and coffee houses of Vienna’s old town, as well as the leafy Stadtpark and its golden Johann Strauss memorial.

Bookings for the dorm rooms are available via Airbnb.

Generator Hostels, across Europe

Inside the common area of the Generator Hostel in Hamburg, Germany.

A powerhouse of a chain, the Generator Hostels group is known for its one-of-a-kind hostels in cities typically populated with expensive hotels. In Paris, one of the newest Generator Hostels is located in the hip 10^th Arrondissement and gives travellers a stylish Parisian escape without breaking the bank.

The stylish bunks at the Generator Hostel in Venice.

Close to the art galleries of Canal Saint-Martin, the hostel has its own rooftop bar that overlooks the trendy Montmartre neighbourhood as well as a notable restaurant, Café Fabien, to entice hungry travellers after a day spent exploring Paris.

Inside one of the rooms at the Generator Hostel in Rome.

The private suites are spacious and come with a terrace and hammock, but the shared dorm rooms are a bargain and not to be scoffed at, starting at $27 a night.

Dream Hostel, Tampere, Finland

Address: Åkerlundinkatu 2, 33100 Tampere, Finland

If you thought you could not see Finland on a budget, consider your dream reborn at Dream Hostel. The hostel is attached to a hotel but if you want to save a couple of dollars, the cheaper hostel rooms are equally delightful. A warm Scandinavian design resonates throughout the hostel and the perks of free wi-fi and free dinners on occasion make it more than ample for the average traveller.

Bunks start at just $36 a night.

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PLUS Hostel Berlin, Germany

Address: Warschauer Pl. 6, 10245 Berlin, Germany

Berlin has some really great upscale hostels but if you are looking for something truly spectacular, check into PLUS Hostel Berlin. The rooftop bar and a variety of wellness options, which include yoga classes, are great for travellers with lots of energy. But it’s the glittering swimming pool that sets this hostel apart from the rest. All rooms come with their own private bathroom and the restaurant, Opera, serves excellent cocktails to wrap up a great stay.

The incredible pool inside PLUS Hostel in Berlin, Germany.

Dorm rooms start at just $24 a night.

Star Hostel Taipei, Taiwan

Address: No. 50號, Huayin Street, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103

Consistently voted as one of the best hostels in the world, Star Hostel Taipei is known for its clean setting and designer-vibe within a rather bustling and gritty city. Free breakfast, tea and wi-fi are great calling cards but the Scandinavian minimalistic feel to the cosy rooms make it a hostel worth staying in. Wooden timber panels encase an urban garden which doubles as a social hub. The private suites are worth splurging on for some extra privacy, and don’t forget to book yourself a bubble tea making class in the hostel to feel right at home.

Cosy, interesting sleeping suites at Star Hostel Taipei, Taiwan.

Dorm rooms start from $30.

Skyewalker Hostel, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Address: The Old School, Portnalong, Isle of Skye IV47 8SL, United Kingdom

If you find yourself in the middle of the Cuillin mountain range located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, do yourself a favour and stay in the Skyewalker Hostel. Private suites come in the form of Jedi Huts where you have your own private oasis in a wooden cabin to experience a full glamping experience. The glass solar-dome is a favourite, with excellent views of the night-sky. The hostel is within reach of a whisky distillery, sea eagle-spotting and access to the exhilarating Cuillin mountain range for avid and experienced hikers.

The famous glass dome; a popular hangout for guests of the Skyewalker Hostel, Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Dorm rooms start from $30 per night.

Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK.

Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

Why is it so hot in Europe?

Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

How travel is impacted

A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius — A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris — People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.