Poshtels Are Doing for Hostels What Glamping Did for Camping
At some point the word “hostel” came to be associated less with “youthful adventure on a budget!” and more with “I’m desperate, broke, and in need of a last-ditch place to sleep.” But the poshtel is here to change all that. A reimagined style of accommodation that’s more than just a less expensive place to sleep, they are all about cool, comfort, and camera-ready style. With the rise of cheap and Instagrammable Airbnbs, poshtels are taking their place among the best spots to stay by offering travelers budget-friendly rooms with an envy-inducing vacay photo backdrop, plus one huge thing that an Airbnb can’t compete with: the chance to meet and hang out with other like-minded explorers.
“Our inspiration came from trendy hotels — hotels and members-only clubs that we ourselves hang out in across Europe,” say architects David Meany and Toni Ambler, the brains behind the redesign of Austria’s Gasthof Schoneck poshtel. “These are places where you come for a drink and end up staying all night. We wanted the space to feel like a home away from home where our guests can kick back and feel like a local.”
Wanna test-drive the poshtel trend? Keep scrolling for some serious trip-planning inspo and five poshtels you’ll definitely want to stay at on your next vacay.
Gasthof Schoneck
Go ahead, live out your Sound of Music dreams in Austria’s Tyrolean mountains, but know this: There won’t be any dusty old drapes to make play clothes out of for a bunch of Von Trapp kids. Instead, you’ll get a dining hall as on-trend as any Brooklyn brunch spot, a modern mountain in-house bar perfect for après-ski hangs or impromptu dance parties, and — cue angelic Von Trapp children singing — your own private bathroom and shower.
Freehand
Serving up bachelorette packages, rosé-all-day deals, and access to their Broken Shaker bar (a night spot so popular that even the locals want to hang out there), the Freehand chain of poshtels also has locations in New York, Chicago, and LA — but our squad weekend dream destination is their Miami Beach spot. Who wouldn’t want to spend the day relaxing on a swan pool float and the evening sipping watermelon hibiscus tequila punch in the adorable, light-strung backyard garden? The vibe is modern Miami with just the right amount of kitsch, and the savings go beyond your room rate. (Photo via Anna Cook / Freehand Hotels)
The Farm Hostel
You don’t have to break the bank to live it up in stunningly gorgeous Bali. Wake up surrounded by banana trees at The Farm Hostel, a Balinese paradise just a few minutes’ walk from some of the best surfing on the coast. (Pro tip: You don’t have to know how to surf to enjoy surfers.) Whether you want to do a retreat-style yoga trip or a week of beach-bumming, or just nap poolside in a hammock after sampling the Indonesian island’s nightlife, you’ll have lots of activity (and non-activity) options here. (Photo via The Farm Hostel)
Rodamón Riad
Morocco is the It destination du jour, and the Rodamón Riad is the place to stay if you’re planning to visit Marrakech. The word “hostel” should not even be spoken in the vicinity of the pristine white walls and intricately tiled floors here. But it’s more than just a pretty place: The Riad hosts an incredible selection of activities including desert four-wheeling, mountain treks, and tours of the city’s markets and bazaars. Or maybe you just want to lounge around the world’s most Instagrammable swimming pool with a cocktail or a glass of mint tea in hand — hey, it’s your vacation. (Photo via Rodamón Riad)
Santos Express Train Lodge
When was the last time you stayed in a hotel where every room had an ocean view? That’s the setup at the Santos Express, an actual train converted into an innovative and unique poshtel. From its adorable twin rooms to the mega affordable (like, for real) Royal Suites, this place has such great options for accommodations you can’t really go wrong. Did we mention that the train is parked permanently mere steps from the beach just outside of Cape Town? And since sunning and swimming can induce quite the appetite, the Lodge has an on-site, pub-style restaurant that specializes in seafood dishes and regional treats including braai, a delish type of South African barbecue. (Photo via Santos Express Train Lodge)