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Hostels are a budget travel hack to more frequent and longer vacations. As a cheaper alternative to hotels and Airbnbs, hostels are often centrally located, a great way to meet fellow travelers, and a nice space to set up shop with your laptop if you’re a digital nomad. I’ve stayed in my fair share of hostels over the years and am sharing my top hostels in Europe and the United States.
The Best Hostels for Solo Travelers in 2025
Líbere Córdoba Spain - Editor's Pick Córdoba is located in southern Spain in the country’s Andalusia region. It’s perhaps most famous for the Mezquita, a mosque originally built in the 700s. Other notable sites include the Alcazar de Los Reyes Cristianos, the Synagogue of Córdoba, their ancient Roman bridge, and the Calahorra Tower. Why the Líbere Córdoba Earned the Top Spot on My List The Líbere Córdoba is not your run-of-the-mill hostel. First, it appears newer and not so rundown like other hostels I’ve been to, but it still retains the charming southern Spanish design you’ll find all around this city. The building surrounds a beautiful outdoor patio with plenty of tables and seating for people to hang out or work remotely. If sitting outside isn’t your cup of tea, they also have an indoor area where people can eat or work. Another plus is how clean the rooms are. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Learn more in my full-length Líbere Córdoba Hostel review HI Boston - Best Hostel in Boston Boston is one of my favorite cities in the United States. Washington D.C. may be the nation’s capital, but Boston and Philadelphia feel more representative of America’s founding fathers and history. Plus, Boston is just a 40-minute train ride from Salem, which means you can see two great places in one trip. Why the HI Boston Earned Best Hostel in Boston Surprisingly, Boston has very few hostels, and the HI Boston is pretty much the Boston hostel. Despite limited options, this is a great choice for those who want to visit Boston and save money by skipping expensive hotels. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Learn more in my in-depth HI Boston Hostel review New Samay Seville - Best Hostel in Seville Seville is a well-known city in Spain’s Andalusia region in the south, featuring incredible architecture like the Plaza de España and Giralda Tower, along with vibrant cultural charms like flamenco dancing. Why the New Samay Seville Earned Best Hostel in Seville From my experience, I felt very safe at the New Samay Hostel in Seville. The hostel felt safe and secure, and the neighborhood it’s in felt safe, too. Plus, it was easily walkable to popular tourist sites. This isn’t a party hostel either, which made it feel safer. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Find out more about this hostel in my full-length New Samay Hostel review HI New Orleans - Best Hostel in New Orleans New Orleans is one of the most unique cities in the U.S., with a rich history and culture unlike any other city I’ve ever been to. It’s also a great place to go on a trip with friends. I spent a long weekend in Nola for my birthday, and the HI Hostel allowed me to have a great stay while saving some money. Why the HI New Orleans Earned Best Hostel in New Orleans This HI Hostel is a clean, well-kept hostel on Canal Street in the heart of the city, within walking distance of New Orleans’s iconic French Quarter and the Mississippi River. Of course, the French Quarter is a prime spot for friend groups to take tours, explore, or hit exciting bars and restaurants. While most folks go to New Orleans to see these spots, the HI New Orleans is also within walking distance to the street cars to take you to other areas of town like the old cemeteries and the Garden District. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Helpful Tips: Guide to Visiting New Orleans for the First Time ECO Hostel Granada - Best Hostel for 30-Year-Olds Granada is located in southern Spain and is most famous for the Alhambra Palace, which sits atop a hill overlooking the city. However, I would encourage you to also visit the Royal Chapel there, which is where Spain’s most famous monarchs, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, are buried. Why the ECO Hostel Granada Earned Best Hostel for 30-Year-Olds There’s a slight misunderstanding that hostels are only for twentysomethings, but from my experience, I’ve seen people of all ages stay at them. That said, if you’re over 30, odds are you’ll probably want something more low-key than a rowdy party hostel. Hey, we need our sleep, right? The ECO Hostel was a quiet, calm hostel with a good mix of adults of all ages, which is why I think this is a good choice for the over-30 budget traveler. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Find out more in my ECO Hostel Granada review YHA London Oxford Street - Best Hostel in London London is one of the biggest and most famous cities in the world, but that also means staying here can get expensive. In this case, hostels are a great workaround for this. That said, in such a big city, you want to make sure the hostel you’re staying at is in a decent, safe location. Why the YHA London Oxford Street Earned Best Hostel in London There are multiple YHA hostels around London, but I chose to stay at the YHA London Oxford Street as this seemed like a good central location for someone who had never been to London before. The YHA on Oxford Street is near London’s West End, and even though it’s a busier area, I never felt unsafe here. The hostel is a secured building a block behind Oxford St., where you can get to buses. It’s also just a 10-minute walk to the Oxford Circus subway station. During my stay, the YHA London Oxford Street was clean and well-maintained. Also, even though the ‘Y’ in the title stands for ‘youth,’ I saw people of all ages, including families, there. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Discover more tips about London in this London Travel Guide Young and Happy Latin Quarter - Best Hostel in Paris Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements that sort of work their way up from the center out. This means that the lower your arrondissement number is, the more central you’ll be to the popular sites. For your first trip to Paris, I’d recommend finding accommodations within the first 10 arrondissements so that you’re close to the best sightseeing. Why the Young and Happy Hostel Latin Quarter Earned Best Hostel in Paris The Young and Happy Hostel is located in the Latin Quarter (A.K.A. Arrondissement 5) on a street called Rue Mouffetard. What’s special about the Latin Quarter is that it’s one of the city’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods, particularly for education, and it was where Ernest Hemingway lived during his time there in the 1920s. Rue Mouffetard is also home to a local market, so you can find lots of yummy foods from local vendors. The Young and Happy Hostel’s excellent location made it easy for me to walk to the must-see Paris sites like Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower, among others. As for the hostel, I loved that it felt more historic, like the neighborhood it was in. I think my favorite part was the cozy hangout area below the main floor, which kind of felt like you were entering some catacombs or something. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Learn more about what to do in Paris with this Paris Travel Guide Kick Ass Greyfriars - Best Hostel in Edinburgh Scotland is one of my favorites of all the countries I’ve traveled to, with Edinburgh being one of the most magical cities I’ve ever seen. Seriously, I’m still dreaming of living there and writing in cozy coffee shops. Why the Kick Ass Greyfriars Earned Best Edinburgh Hostel The Kick Ass Greyfriars (previously known as Budget Backpackers) Hostel in Edinburgh was the very first hostel I ever stayed at, and it clearly left a positive impression. This hostel is in the heart of Old Town Edinburgh at the bottom of the iconic Victoria Street. If you’ve seen images of Edinburgh, you’ve likely seen that street. It curves and has colorful buildings along it. Because it’s so central, I could easily walk to major sites in the city like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. It’s also close to coffee shops, restaurants, bars, tours, etc. This hostel was also only a 15-minute walk to Waverly Train Station. Aside from a great location, the hostel felt safe and even provided meal and drink coupons for their restaurant and bar. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Find out more on what to do in Scotland in this Scotland Travel Guide Euro Youth Hostel Munich - Best Hostel for Digital Nomads Munich was my favorite of the three big cities I’ve visited in Germany, which included Frankfurt and Berlin. While Frankfurt seemed too industrial and Berlin too overwhelming, Munich had some great character to it. To offset the price of a hotel, I stayed at the Euro Youth Hostel (also referred to as the Euro Youth Hotel Munich), which was conveniently within a roughly 10-minute walking distance of the city’s Central Station. Why the Euro Youth Hostel Munich Earned Best Hostel for Remote Workers Working remotely while staying in a hostel can present a unique set of challenges. I ideally want somewhere with good Wi-Fi and a communal space with tables to plug in my laptop as needed. I’ve certainly found this at other hostels (and if I had to give a runner-up in this category, the ECO Hostel Granada would get that title). However, I picked this one because they have a larger community dining and hangout area next to the lobby with plenty of tables where I could easily get work done and order food and beverages. On the flip side, I understand that some folks may want something quieter, and the good news here is that the Euro Youth Hostel in Munich also provided a table and chairs in the dorm room, so if I had to take a meeting, I was able to do it there with my headphones on. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Learn more about my experience in Munich here St. Christopher’s Inn - Best Hostel in Barcelona Barcelona sits on Spain’s eastern coast along the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a lot to offer travelers, from the visually stunning Gothic Quarter and famous La Sagrada Familia cathedral to the beautiful beaches and food; I’d recommend it in a heartbeat. Why St. Christopher’s Inn Earned Best Hostel in Barcelona The St. Christopher’s Inn Hostel is centrally located near Barcelona’s Las Ramblas neighborhood, so you have lots of access to shopping and food. The hostel's location also made it easy for me to walk to all the sites I wanted to check out, including La Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, and Barceloneta Beach. Another location perk was how close this hostel is to the Barcelona Airport shuttle. I remember having to leave for the airport around 3 in the morning. I’ll admit I was pretty nervous since it was the middle of the night, but to my surprise, there were many people out and about (likely coming back from nightclubs), and people were already waiting for the shuttle. As far as the hostel itself, they have a great bar area where people can socialize and watch games. I actually had the best three-hour conversation with a fellow female traveler from Denmark. They also have privacy curtains on the beds in the rooms. What I Love About This Hostel
The Drawbacks
Learn more in my St. Christopher’s Inn Barcelona review Also visiting Madrid? Read my Ok Hostel Madrid review Frequently Asked Questions Is 30 too old to stay in hostels? Absolutely not! I first stayed in a hostel at 30 years old and have had great experiences in them. The older you get, you may prefer the comfort of your own hotel room, but I've seen people of all ages in hostels. There are some that have age limits, usually just for certain rooms to keep younger people together, but in general, you can book them at any age. Where are the most hostels in the world? I would say most hostels are in Europe because they're so popular there. Can you pay in full on Hostel World? Yes, from my experience, I've been able to pay in full when booking on Hostel World. Which institute has best hostel? I really like the HI Hostel chain, especially if you're in the U.S. I've stayed at both the HI New Orleans and HI Boston, and both were really nice, even providing a free breakfast for guests every morning. Transparency Disclosure — The opinions on this website are independent and based on my own personal experiences. I may receive a referral fee for stays booked through the links on this site.
The Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is a new(ish) all-inclusive resort that opened up in 2021. I recently stayed there over the 2024 Thanksgiving week, and in this Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun review, I'm giving my honest take on this resort.
Where Is the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun Located? This Hyatt Ziva is located about 20 miles south of Cancun in Puerto Morelos, so a heads up that if it says 'Riviera', it's usually not located in the city or main hotel zone but rather farther out along the cost. My husband and I arrived at night. After taking a turn off the highway, we found ourselves on a rough road leading to the coast where the resort is. Unfortunately, whoever was in charge of maintaining this road didn't prioritize fixing potholes. At one point, we thought we might be stuck after our driver hit a massive pothole. Considering that, it wouldn't surprise me if drivers took turns opting out of rides to and from this resort. Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun Check-In Process We finally made it to the Hyatt Ziva, and it's definitely a fancier resort. The lobby area where you're dropped off is upstairs, and then downstairs is where you'll find the amenities and the entrance out to the pool. Check-in was pretty easy, but we did have to wait a bit for the bellhop to bring up our luggage. Initially, we were only given one room key because the resort was so busy that they didn't have extras. We had to wait until the next afternoon to get one. If you're staying with another person, it helps to have an extra room key, so I hope the Hyatt Ziva prioritizes ordering more room keys for guests in the future. Pros: What I Like About the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun
Cons: What I Didn't Like About the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun
Who Should Stay at the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun All-Inclusive?
Who Shouldn't Stay at the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun All-Inclusive?
FAQs About the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun 1. What was the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun before? The Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is under four years old, but based on my research, it used to be a Secrets resort. 2. How far is Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun from the airport? The Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is roughly 20 minutes away from the Cancun airport. 3. Does Hyatt Ziva Cancun have a lazy river? No, this Hyatt Ziva resort doesn't have a lazy river. Instead, it has a kids water park and larger water slides for older kids, teens, and adults. 4. Is the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun in the hotel zone? No, the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is located about 30 minutes south of Cancun's hotel zone, so it's kind of out in the middle of nowhere. Basically, you need to drive to get anywhere from there. However, there is a Hyatt Ziva in the Cancun hotel zone that my husband and I did check out during our trip. I liked the Hyatt Ziva in the Cancun hotel zone way more since it had the turquoise blue waters and a larger beach. 5. Does the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun have a waterpark? Yes! This was actually one of my favorite features of this resort. They have a smaller waterpark for young kids and then bigger waterslides for older kids, teens, and adults. The waterpark wasn't busy either, even while the resort itself was full of people, so there's no long lines to use the water slides. 6. Is the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun adults only? Nope, the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun all-inclusive resort is for people of all ages. There were plenty of kids there during our stay. 7. Are Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun the same? No, they are two different hotels. The Hyatt Ziva Cancun is located in Cancun's hotel zone, whereas the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is located roughly 20-30 minutes south of Cancun in Puerto Morelos. Transparency Disclosure — The opinions on this website are independent and based on my own personal experiences. I may receive a referral fee for stays booked through the links on this site.
If Puerto Vallarta has caught your eye as a Spring Break destination in 2025, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been traveling to Puerto Vallarta for the past 30 years and even lived there for nine months during college. So, suffice it to say, I know PV well. Also, as someone who’s been to Cancun and Playa del Carmen, I feel strongly that Puerto Vallarta is the better Mexico destination. Plus, the airport customs lines are way more efficient in PV than at Cancun airport.
Okay, let’s jump into it with my top Puerto Vallarta hotels for Spring Break 2025. I want to emphasize that I’ve stayed at each of these spots during personal family trips, so I’m giving you my genuine, honest take on these places. Learn More: Best Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta in 2025
Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta for 2025
1. Buenaventura Grand Hotel and Great Moments - Best Downtown Puerto Vallarta Hotel
That's me having lunch at the Buenaventura Grand's beachside restaurant.
My husband and I honeymooned here, and of all the all-inclusive resorts I’ve stayed at, this is my top pick in terms of food and location. Located in downtown Puerto Vallarta, just a 10-minute walk from the city’s famed Malecon, the Buenaventura is great for those who want the benefits of an all-inclusive with the vibrance of being in the heart of the city. As hinted above, the food here is unbelievable, though my favorite is their beachside restaurant, which makes for a delicious lunch spot by day and a romantic dinner at night. For reference, you have to make a reservation for dinner here since it’s one of their specialty options and isn’t open every night. However, it’s open each day for lunch. Plus, you’re right on the beach, overlooking the ocean, so the views are fantastic. While the nighttime entertainment at the Buenaventura isn’t the best, it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker since you can just walk around town to different bars and nightclubs. Pros
Possible Drawbacks
Find out more in my full-length Buenaventura Grand Hotel and Great Moments Review
2. Hotel Encino - Best Affordable Puerto Vallarta Hotel
Out to dinner with my mom at one of the many local restaurants near the Hotel Encino in Puerto Vallarta
The Hotel Encino is located in downtown Puerto Vallarta at the beginning of the city’s beloved romantic zone. A traditional hotel rather than an all-inclusive, this place is perfect for those who want to stay in Puerto Vallarta but prefer to eat at local restaurants. And since you’re right in town, there are lots of great restaurants to choose from.
I stayed here with my parents, and while the hotel is older, it’s in immaculate condition and has a charming, authentic aesthetic. If you’re on a budget and looking for something other than a traditional ‘tourist’ experience, this is a fantastic hotel. There’s even a local cat who loves to hang out in the lobby. Pros
Possible Drawbacks
3. Hotel Friendly - Best Puerto Vallarta Hotel for Families
In the Hotel Friendly's lobby with some friends we made from Canada
The Hotel Friendly is an all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone, and I stayed here with my parents and my cousin, Nicha. The hotel zone is great for folks who still want to be around the ‘action’ but not necessarily downtown. That said, you can easily hop on a bus that takes you into town.
The Hotel Friendly Puerto Vallarta is a fantastic choice for families; their activities program always has plenty going on, both during the day and at night. This was the last resort I stayed at, where I had a full entertainment team that organized daytime activities and performed in elaborate nightly shows. I think kids and teens would enjoy the Hotel Friendly’s fun and vibrant atmosphere. Pros
Possible Drawbacks
Frequently Asked Questions Do Spring Breakers go to Puerto Vallarta? Yes, absolutely! While Cancun might be considered a notorious spot for college spring breakers, Puerto Vallarta has the advantage of being fun for both college spring break and families. Plus, I consider Puerto Vallarta much safer than Cancun and easier to navigate. How busy is Puerto Vallarta during Spring Break? Puerto Vallarta can get busy during Spring Break, especially if your trip coincides with Semana Santa, when many families from nearby cities like Guadalajara vacation there. Is March a good time to go to Puerto Vallarta? Yes, March is a great time to go to Puerto Vallarta because it’s not during the unbearably hot and muggy rainy season. Prices might be slightly higher because it’s a busier time, but there are many accommodation options here, including Airbnb, so you’ve got plenty of choices. Transparency Disclosure — The opinions on this website are independent and based on my own personal experiences. I may receive a referral fee for stays booked through the links on this site. |
About the author
Jill Zwarensteyn is a writer and comedian who has been featured on Amazon, truTV, The New York Times, Matador Network, BUST Magazine, Sleep Advisor, Tiplr, ARTRPRNR Magazine, YourTango, Thought Catalog, GoMad Nomad, Mashable, The Daily Mail UK, the Cannes Film Festival, LaughFest, Women's Lifestyle Magazine, and the Funny Women Festival LA. Archives
March 2025
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