If you’ve never stayed in a hostel before, it’s completely normal to have questions — or even a little hesitation. Maybe you’ve heard mixed things, or you’re just not sure what the experience actually looks like day to day. The truth is, hostels have come a long way from their reputation, and for the right traveler, they offer something that no hotel can really replicate. At The Bunkhouse, the comfort of your stay is a top priority, so here’s an honest, straightforward look at what to expect when you check in for the first time.
You’ll be sleeping in a shared room
The most defining feature of hostel life are shared spaces. The dormitory-style rooms keep costs down for thrifty travelers. Instead of a private lonely room, you’ll share a space with anywhere from a few to a dozen other travelers, each with their own bunk. Most modern hostels provide clean bedding, personal reading lights, and a secure locker or storage area for your belongings. The Bunkhouse bunks are enclosed pods, creating your own cozy, private cubby. If sharing a room feels like a stretch, it’s worth knowing that many hostels now offer private rooms as well. The Bear Room at The Bunkhouse Hostel is a four person dorm that can be booked privately for your group.
This creates the best of both worlds. So you can have the social vibes, and amazing nightly rates, without giving up your own personal sleeping space.
Pro Tip: Pack a small padlock — most hostels provide lockers but not the lock itself, although they are available for rent.
The bathrooms are shared, and that’s usually fine
Shared bathrooms are standard at most hostels, and honestly, they tend to be less of an issue than people expect. Think of a gym or locker room style facilities. Busy hostels maintain them throughout the day, and the etiquette among guests is generally pretty considerate. Hostel guests are known for their awesome, laid back personalities.
Pro Tip: Bring a small shower caddy, a quick-dry towel, and flip-flops for the shower, and you’ll be comfortable. Most experienced hostel travelers barely think twice about it.
Common spaces are where the real value is
One of the best parts of staying in a hostel is access to communal areas — kitchens, lounges, and common rooms that give you a place to cook your own meals, meet other travelers, and actually feel like you’re part of the place you’re visiting. This is where hostel culture really shines. You’ll swap trail recommendations, find out about hidden gems in town, and often end up with a group to explore with that you wouldn’t have met any other way. In a destination like Vail, where locals and visitors alike are passionate about the outdoors, those conversations can lead you to experiences you’d never have found on your own.
The Bunkhouse leans into this with a full shared kitchen and common areas designed for exactly that kind of connection. Adventure buddies, and sometimes life long friends are made over morning coffee.
Bonus! It’s significantly more affordable
Let’s be direct about the budget piece, because it matters. Hostel rates are a fraction of what you’d pay at a hotel or vacation rental in the same area. In a place like Vail — where nightly hotel rates can run several hundred dollars, especially during ski season — this is a genuine game-changer. The savings you put back in your pocket can go toward lift tickets, gear rentals, restaurant meals, or simply extending your trip by a few extra days. For many travelers, staying in a hostel isn’t about roughing it. It’s about being smart with the money so more of it goes toward the actual experience. The Bunkhouse’s favorite tag line is “Spend money on cool adventures, not expensive hotels.”
Expect a social atmosphere, not a party house
There’s a persistent myth that hostels are loud, chaotic, and full of twenty-year-olds who never sleep. That might describe some places, but most well-run hostels attract a genuinely mixed crowd — solo travelers, couples, outdoor enthusiasts, people on working trips, international visitors, and plenty of guests well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond. The social energy is real, but so is the respect for shared space. Most hostels enforce quiet hours, and the culture among guests tends to be collaborative rather than disruptive. The Bunkhouse quiet hours are 9PM-9AM.
Bring what you’d bring anywhere, plus a few extras
Packing for a hostel isn’t complicated. The essentials are the same as any trip. A few additions that will serve you well: a combination padlock for storage, earplugs and a sleep mask in case you’re a light sleeper, a power strip or multi-outlet adapter if you’re traveling with several devices, and shower shoes for shared bathroom use. Beyond that, travel light and you’ll feel right at home. With The Bunkhouse staff, and owners living on property, the homie vibes can not be missed.
You’ll likely be surprised by the quality
Hostel quality varies as much as its personality so it’s worth doing a little research before you book — reading recent reviews and checking photos goes a long way. What you’ll find with newer, and well-maintained hostels is that the accommodations are genuinely comfortable. Clean linens, hot showers, solid Wi-Fi, and thoughtful amenities are table stakes at any hostel worth staying at. The Bunkhouse, for example, was purpose-built as a boutique hostel for mountain enthusiasts in the Vail Valley, which means comfort, quality, and functionality are a must.
Location often beats luxury
Here’s the thing about paying for a luxury hotel in a destination like Vail: the room is beautiful, but you’re spending most of your time outside of it. You’re on the mountain, on the trails, in town. A well-located hostel lets you spend less on where you sleep and more on what you actually came to do. The Bunkhouse, is nestled right in between Vail and Beaver Creek Mountains, giving easy access to the slopes, the trails, and everything the area has to offer without a long commute or a rental car eating into your day. The Bunkhouse conveniently sits right on the free bus route.
A few things to know before you go
Check in during the designated window — hostel front desks aren’t always staffed around the clock, so knowing your check-in time matters. Be respectful of your bunkmates: keep noise down at night, be tidy in shared spaces, and don’t leave your gear spread across common areas. Small courtesies go a long way in shared living situations and make the experience better for everyone. Don’t be shy about introducing yourself — the social side of hostel travel is genuinely one of the best parts, and most people staying there are just as open to conversation as you are. The Bunkhouse is an international hostel, and most nights multiple languages can be heard in the common areas.
The bottom line
We get it, staying in a hostel for the first time can feel like a bit of an unknown, but for most people, it quickly becomes one of those travel decisions they wish they’d made sooner! The combination of affordability, community, and location — especially in a destination as compelling as the Vail Valley — is genuinely hard to beat. If you’re trying to figure out where to stay and you haven’t seriously considered a hostel yet, it’s worth a closer look. Let The Bunkhouse be your first hostel experience. Known for providing “hospitality with heart,” you won’t want to stay anywhere else.
