1. Introduction
Hostel bathrooms can be the worst part of budget travel, but they’re not all bad. Some are surprisingly nice, comparable to those in hotels.
2. Expect to Share Your Bathroom
When you stay in a hostel dorm, sharing the bathroom is a norm, and you might share it with the opposite gender, especially in mixed-gender dorms. Be prepared for potential surprises like a raised toilet seat or even the absence of one in some countries. “En suite” means the bathroom is attached to your room, but this isn’t always guaranteed, even in private rooms. At some hostels, you may find yourself hiking up several flights of stairs to use the bathroom at night.
3. Hot Water Can Be Sparse
With many guests in one hostel, hot water can run out quickly, leading to lukewarm showers. To secure a hot shower, aim to shower early in the morning or later in the afternoon. If having hot water is crucial, consider checking reviews on HostelBookers or HostelWorld to see guests’ comments on the showers.
4. The Quality Varies Wildly
Hostel bathrooms differ significantly in quality. Some may be pleasant and clean, while others can be quite unpleasant. To gauge what to expect, read recent reviews. Guests often share their experiences regarding cleanliness, availability, and hot water situations.
5. How to Observe Good Shared-Bathroom Etiquette
When many individuals from diverse backgrounds share a bathroom, it’s essential to practice good etiquette to maintain cleanliness and minimize discomfort. Adhering to good shared-bathroom etiquette can make the experience pleasant for everyone involved. Here are five key practices:
- Clean up after yourself. Ensure that wet towels and toiletries are picked up after you’ve used the shower.
- Be mindful of hot water usage. Avoid using all the hot water by showering quickly.
- Keep showers brief. Limit your time to under five minutes to accommodate others waiting.
- Prepare beforehand by taking all your toiletries into the shower with you, allowing for a quicker usage time.
- Be considerate of water usage in drought-prone areas. Ration water usage according to local guidelines.
6. Bring Flip Flops and Make Sure to Use Them
Flip-flops are not only a travel essential but also crucial for hygiene in hostel bathrooms. Always wear them in shared bathrooms to protect your feet from potential contaminants.
7. They’re Not Something to Worry About
While sharing a bathroom with numerous strangers may seem daunting, you’ll likely find that it becomes a normal part of the hostel experience. Most bathrooms are adequately maintained. Just remember to check reviews, bring your flip-flops for safety, and you might be pleasantly surprised by your hostel bathroom experience.
