Give Me Back My Five Bucks a quest for financial independence
I am absolutely thrilled to announce HostelBookers.com as our accommodation sponsor while we are traveling through Europe this year!
During the next 7 months, through my trip recap posts – along with my usual thoughts on money, savings, and budget traveling – I will be sharing pictures, stories, and reviews of the hostels that I stay in. Much like my Paris trip recap from a few weeks ago. So you shouldn’t see a difference in how I write – just maybe a couple more links and tips on the hostels that I like. With the generosity of HostelBookers.com and the hostels that we will be staying in, we can stretch our budget and visit more places – making our European travel dreams come true. :)
In case you weren’t aware, HostelBookers.com is an average of 8.7% cheaper than Hostel World, has no booking fees (!), and guarantees the lowest price. It’s the website we use the most to book our accommodation when traveling, so you can imagine how thrilled I am to be able to work with such a great organization that I actually use often.
HostelBookers.com just announced their 2012 Awards For Excellence – where they showcase the top 3 hostels on each continent for a bunch of different categories, such as cleanest, best value, best location, most popular, best for newcomers, and much more. And I’m happy to see a couple of hostels I’ve stayed in before have made it on the list. :) It’s probably a really good starting point for those starting their hostel search.
Here are a couple photos of two of the best hostels in the world – pretty nice, eh?! You can also check out the YouTube video for more photos of this year’s winners.
Anyway, I feel like this is just the beginning of a lot of really cool, fun things that are going to happen in 2012. So stick around – our first trip to Munich is happening this month! I also have a new freelance job I am just dying to tell you about too. :)
When you finally write your book (you will write a book, right?), please give us some tips on how to talk nice to sponsors.
Thanks!
That’s awesome! Works out great for us, too, since we get to see you go to more places.
Hostel Bookers is cheaper and has no fees?! Looks like I’ll definitely be checking them out from now on.
I have to look into this!
Congrats! My question – are hostel private rooms really that much cheaper than B&Bs or little inns (or even hotel rooms with points?). I’ve been looking at a trip to Quebec City – and one of the highest rated hostels cost $96-$100 for 2 people in a private room w/ bath, while the BEST B&B in the city cost $130 for 2 including a giant 3-course breakfast. I know things depend on different cities, but the value for me at hostel, at least in that case, just isn’t there.
9 times out of 10 – yes. Especially if you are willing to share the bathroom down the hallway.
Well with hostel private rooms, the ones we stay in are around $60-80/night for 2 people ($30-40 each person). And I’ve found that you get a much better location, since hostels tend to be right in the middle of the city. Whereas the B&Bs or cheaper hotels tend to be a little farther out. I also don’t stay in the highest rated hostels. I just go for something mid-range that has at least an 80% positive review. I don’t really care about anything more than a clean room, and no bugs. :) You can also save a little bit more money through rebate programs. I don’t know what’s available in the USA, but in Canada we have Great Canadian Rebates, where you can save more by getting a cash back rebate.
Oh, and let me know if you do go to Quebec City. I was just there and can’t wait to go back!
This is fantastic news – well done on the sponsorship. I must add to your argument that they are in fact the cheapest!!
How does the price guarantee work? Usually they are a lot cheaper – but one place I just booked through hostelworld, cause they were cheaper.
You can get more information on the price guarantee here:
http://www.hostelbookers.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.static&pagename=Corporate/dspLowestPriceGuarantee
Curious about whether your sponsor requires positive reviews of the hostels you stay in, or if you can point out their flaws with no repercussions.
The reviews would mean a lot more obviously if you are allowed to say what you think without fear of losing the sponsorship. My problem with these types of posts is that the inherent bias (but I’m a former journalist who worries about such things).
I’m enjoying your posts from Europe! Keep up the good work and happy travels.
@Gen: “he who pays the piper calls the tune” is a legit concern. But I’m sure such an arrangement won’t stop her from telling us what she thinks. That kind of honesty is central to a blog’s integrity.
I’m free to give my honest opinion of each place that I stay in. :)
That is sahhhhweet!!
Congrats on the comped accommodation! Ahh the life of a PF blogger ;)
That’s awesome! Congrats! I’ve never stayed in a hostel before but will definitely check it out as a cheaper alternative!
I’ve used HostelWorld but not this one. Don’t think my wife will let us stay in a hostel when we hit Europe this summer.
Hey John, that’s super exciting about your upcoming trip to Europe! The great thing about HostelBookers is they don’t just have hostels. They’ve got a bunch of hotels listed, as well as apartments, B&Bs, and even really unusual and unique places, like a tree house (?) and a plane (!). Check it out:
http://www.hostelbookers.com/featured/unusual-hotels/
Also, this might help you out too if you’re looking for hotels:
http://www.hostelbookers.com/featured/cheap-hotels/
I’ll be staying in a couple of hotels in the next few weeks from HostelBookers, so I’ll be sure to write about them!