Budget doesn’t have to mean boring! Five of Europe’s most bizarre hostels, from a converted Boeing 747 to a former prison where you can stay for so little it’s criminal…
Budget doesn’t have to be boring.
As Jill McElroy, from StudentUniverse travel expert, reveals.
Here she shares her top five picks for the most idiosyncratic European hostels, from a converted Boeing 747 to a former military prison where the stay is so cheap it’s criminal.
Jill also shows a beautiful cave house in Santorini and a hostel in Portugal with beds shaped like wine barrels.
Scroll down for the full list.
Karosta Prison, Latvia
The Karosta Prison hotel (above) is billed as the only former military prison open to tourists
LEFT: A corridor leading to the accommodation rooms in Karosta Prison. RIGHT: One of the bedrooms in the prison.
Jill says: ‘Have you ever dreamed of living life as if it were your last night of freedom? Well, the Prison Hotel in Latvia will make you feel like it really is.
‘As the only [former] This accommodation is truly unique as the hotel is located in the still functioning prison. It is a military prison that is open to tourists.
“This hotel gets bonus points because the staff is instructed to treat you as if you were a real prisoner. You are stripped of all your belongings and any ‘misbehavior’ is punished.”
Beds cost from €15 (£12.70/$13.72) for a wooden bench in a cell or €30 (£25.39/$32.40) for a single room. Visit: karosta.lv.
Jumbo Hostel, Stockholm, Sweden
Just 20 metres from Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, travellers feel part of the action at Jumbo Hostel (above)
The cockpit has been converted into a cozy space (left) and the main cabin has been converted into a hangout area (right)
Jill says: ‘This hostel features a converted Boeing 747 jumbo jet! With the cockpit converted into a cozy cabin, and the cabin itself featuring spacious bedrooms, bathrooms, and even a hangout area, this is a far cry from the 33 inches of legroom we’re used to in the air.’
The hostel is located 20 metres from Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, where travellers can enjoy views of operational aircraft racing down the runway.
Beds cost from 450 SEK (£33.58/$42.83). Visit: jumbostay.com/rooms.
Clink Noord, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Clink Noord, a stone’s throw from Amsterdam Central Station, is located in a former Shell laboratory, complete with features of the original 1920s building
Beds at Clink Noord start from €40.50 (£40.50/$43.74). Pictured right – ZincBar, where ‘DJs create a vibe’
Jill describes her Dutch hostel of choice as follows: ‘Clink Noord is located a stone’s throw from Amsterdam Central Station and on one of the city’s iconic canals. You won’t find a better location in the city.’
The hostel is located in a former Shell laboratory and elements of the original 1920s building have been enhanced.
Jill adds: ‘DJs create a lively atmosphere at ZincBar and the plant-filled atrium is a great place to unwind after a yoga session. And it’s all included in your stay.’ There’s also a café, restaurant, library, cinema, self-service kitchen and nightclub.
Beds cost from €40.50 (£40.50/$43.74). Visit: clinkhostels.com/clinknoord.
Caveland Hostel, Santorini
Above – ‘luxury’ Caveland Hostel on Santorini, with rooms that ‘feel like modern caves’
Caveland’s ‘expansive swimming pool’
Caveland Hostel is located on the popular Greek island of Santorini.
Jill says: ‘The Caveland feels luxurious, with a large pool, rooms that feel like modern caves and an extensive events programme with film nights, Greek tasting dinners, yoga and much more.
Caveland also implements a number of green initiatives aimed at reducing the property’s impact on the environment, including a complete ban on single-use plastics, waste composting, paperless administration and sustainable water management.
‘This affordable hostel embodies Greek island life and is ideal for anyone who wants the feeling of staying on a traditional farmhouse.’
Beds cost from €31.50 (£26.51/$34.45) per night. Visit: cave-land.com.
The House of Sandeman, Porto, Portugal
At The House of Sandeman, the beds are shaped like wine barrels
It is located in the Sandeman wine cellars, one of Porto’s most iconic buildings
This hostel is located in the Sandeman Wine Cellars, one of the most iconic buildings in Porto, Portugal.
And each bed is shaped like a wine barrel, to make it extra exciting.
Jill says: ‘Look for individual sleeping cabins, spacious rooms, an open-air bar and Portuguese family dinners every evening with complimentary wine.
‘Just five minutes from Porto’s popular historic centre, the Sandeman is ideally located overlooking the Douro River.’
Beds cost from €31.50 (£26.60/$34). Visit: thehouseofsandeman.pt.
