The Great 'Hidden Worldwide Hostel Gems' Hunt

Knitaholic2

Cape Cod is notoriously expensive for holidays but I had an amazing time there staying in hostels. Eastham hostel was wonderful, with small beautiful beach huts to sleep in and a central cabin with facilities - free bikes to borrow and make-your-own pancakes for breakfast! Martha's Vineyard hostel was fab too.

stphnstevey

mgdavid wrote: »

have you not read the thread? (tip - 14)

Yeah, should been more specific, closer to LA on the Pacific Coast Highway

thursfd

Does anyone have any suggestions for Amsterdam?
Thanks :j

bigbullyweedave

thursfd wrote: »

Does anyone have any suggestions for Amsterdam?
Thanks :j

I've stayed here a few times and really loved it - plus it's not far from the centre (very near Leidseplein, Paradiso, museums, Vondelpark etc):
http://www.stayokay.com/en/hostel/amsterdam-vondelpark

There are clean friendly dorms and smaller rooms, plus included continental breakfast and offers including things like canal boat rides...

Cheers, Mrs. BBWD

dunners85

stphnstevey wrote: »

Yeah, should been more specific, closer to LA on the Pacific Coast Highway

In West Hollywood, Banana Bungalows is pretty good, good location, evening events, free breakfast. Samesun Venice Beach is also good, just off the beach, free breakfast, planned events, clean & reasonable priced. Along the highway, depending on how many people you're travelling with, it was often just as cheap to just turn up at a hotel (we were 3 travelling together & this suited us well, all hotels had 2 double beds)

jencat

stphnstevey wrote: »

Anybody know any good LA ones or Pacific Coast Highway, California?

How far up the PCH from LA are you heading (north or south)?

In town, HI Hollywood is nice, if you don't mind a long walk down Hollywood Blvd to get anywhere (but hey, you can look at all the stars in the pavement along the way)

On the way up the PCH we usually aimed for HI San Luis Obispo (cosy is probably the best description... fairy lights outside and always end up meeting interesting people at the pancake breakfast), then the next one up is HI Monterey (like a gigantic version of the SLO hostel, complete with pancakes).
And SLO to Monterey kind of covers Big Sur in a fairly easy day's drive (as you can't really stay in Big Sur anywhere). Monterey is always fun (the aquarium is amazing, also good for whale watching, and last time I was there, the sea lions from San Francisco had all decamped down there). And I'd go up as far as Santa Cruz if you have time, but then I'm a sucker for trashy seaside funfairs.

There is a hostel in Santa Barbara as well, but never stayed there (and motels in SB are crazy expensive. Everything is. Gorgeous town, always stop there along the way, but ridiculously pricey).
The one thing that was surprisingly good on that bit of the drive is Hurst Castle. Truly bizarre place, amazing views.