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Dictionaries typically define hostels as inexpensive lodging, usually for young travelers. But Hostelworld, a Web site where travelers can book a hostel stay, is trying to change that definition of sony vgp-bps8 battery .As a spokeswoman for Hostelworld.com,IBM Laptop Battery Aisling White has written to dictionaries in the United States and Europe asking them to redefine hostels as inexpensive lodging for people of all ages. 

These days, said White, hostels are moving away from their Spartan roots. They still have communal kitchens and bathrooms. But while dormitory-style sleeping arrangements are typical of vgp bps2a ,vgp bps2c , many hostels offer private rooms as well, sony vgp-bps9 battery, sony vgp-bps13 battery, and some even have private bathrooms with fluffy towels and hair dryers. 

“They’re almost akin to a boutique hotel,” said White, speaking from Hostelworld’s headquarters in Dublin.But, he adds, “You are not paying for a five-star hotel and it won’t be one of .”Gradually, though, perceptions are changing. White said inquiries on Hostelworld from U.S. travelers rose 20 percent last year, which she attributes to changing amenities. 

One of the main reasons travelers choose hostels is the price. They typically charge a fraction of what other types of lodging cost. As Jim Williams writes in his “Hostelling Handbook,” “The reality is this: suppose you have $5,000 and a lot of time ¡ª you have taken a year off school and worked for a while and are taking some time to travel for sony vaio vgn-fz battery  . You could spend this amount in a few weeks at expensive hotels and restaurants OR you could stretch this money and travel for perhaps two years, This is where modern hostelling fits in.” 

Hostelling is a venerable tradition in Europe, Asia, and Australia. But while Americans, especially young ones, often turn to hostels while traveling overseas, they are less accustomed to staying in them in the U.S. budget travelers, long accustomed to moving around by car, think first of motels.”Hostels are adapting,” said White. “While there is the party hostel for younger people, a lot of hostels are changing to private rooms to make sure they are accessible to every person who is trying to save money while traveling.” 

The more than 450 U.S. and Canadian hostels in Williams’ handbook are usually occupied by Europeans and other foreigners, not by North Americans, said Williams, who ran a hostel in New York City for 20 years to dell studio 1735 battery .Hostels cost less than most hotels and motels. The venerable Earl’s Court Youth Hostel close to central London charges about $26 per night; a bed in a two-person dorm room with ensuite bathroom at the Columbus Circle Hostel in New York City is $38. 

Hostels also tend to be sociable places. The young Australians, New Zealanders and others who travel for several months or even years at a time use hostels as a place to find jobs, make friends and learn about the area of . “I don’t think you’ll ever be lonely in a hostel,” said White.White is trying to spread the word that hostels are fine places for families and older travelers. In a survey completed in January, Hostelworld.com found that 36 percent of hostel customers were 18-24 years old; 42 percent were ages 25-34,dell latitude e6400 battery , and 9 percent were 35-44. Thirteen percent were over 45. 

Online hostel booking sites abound. Hostelworld.com is one of the largest, with 1.6 million visitors a month, according to the research firm comScore. Other top hostel-booking sites of, according to comScore, include HostelBookers.com, which advertises no booking fees; HostelsClub.com, which requires a $2.50 fee for each booking and a nonrefundable 10 percent deposit in advance; and Hostels.com, which has a $2 booking fee and 10 percent nonrefundable deposit. Hostelworld charges a $2 fee, but after you make three bookings, you don’t have to pay fees again. 

The Hostelworld.com site includes suggested itineraries, mini-tour guides to 60 places around the world, and an iPhone application to make it easier to find and book a hostel room of sony vgp-bpl8 battery while you’re on the go.Hostelworld.com’s top U.S. hostel was USA Hostels San Diego, which charges $57 for a private room with twin beds. 

“Apart from this place being slightly out of the way the only issue was there was a rat living in the roof right above my bunk gnawing through the wall all night long for sony vgp bps2c battery ,” wrote a reviewer named Sean on Jan, 18 of the St. Christopher’s Inn in Paris. “I think this is more of a Paris problem rather than the hostel though,” Sean wrote. “It is by far the best value in an expensive place.” 

Hostelworld.com carries thousands of user ratings, and uses guest ratings to honor the best hostels worldwide each year., This year, five of the top 10 were located in Lisbon, out of 23,000 hostels worldwide of.”A lot of the hostels there (in Lisbon) have a nice modern feel,” said White. “One or two have dorms and rooms designed by local designers.” 

Williams recommends using hostel booking sites to find a place, and then doing the booking itself directly with the hostel management of hp Compaq nc6120 battery . That way, a family looking for a four-person hostel room can ask the staff if theirs is a party place with a nightly pub crawl, or something more peaceful.