The Delights of Traveling: Picking the right place to stay

While you are traveling, it is very important to find the perfect place to stay. However, what I have realized is that it is not only the place, but the people you meet whilst there. Everyone out there is different, some definitely more sociable than others. So, here is a guide of some of the hostels that I recommend throughout Southeast Asia.

It seems to me that everywhere I go I tend to gravitate to the party hostels or the sociable ones. So this list will be a bit longer than all the other ones.

If you are looking for a hostel that literally has everything under one roof, this is definitely the one. Located in the middle of Kuala Lumpur, This place is MASSIVE with multiple selections of dorm rooms and private rooms that are actually quite comfortable! You have your own privacy curtain if you don't really feel like being social, but it is ultimately a party hostel. The facilities are pretty great as well; it has got a cinema if you feel like watching movies, it has two courtyards if you just want to socialize and chat with people because obviously that's what hostels are for right? The crowning glory of the hostel though is their rooftop bar. It is definitely the cheapest one in the city. They have great deals on drinks and they have got a karaoke room, beer pong tables, dance floor, and plenty places to sit and chill. It is about 40RM a night, which is a bit on the expensive side for a hostel, but it definitely has the facilities for it to cost that amount. The only issue I had was with the staff, especially the reception staff. One in particular was quite rude whenever I asked any questions that I would have much rather checked on Google for any of my questions than ask her. All in all, a pretty good hostel for a good time.

For a hostel it may not seem like much from the outside, I have to say that when I stayed here I had such a great time. I met some of the best people that I still talk to to this day. Pretty much everyone who works there are volunteers so they are all in the same position as the rest of people backpacking. They don't classify themselves as a party hostel, but they definitely have that vibe when it hits night time. When the plastic chairs come out and the music starts, there is definitely going to be a party starting. They have Happy Hour 3 times a week, where you have to pay just 50 RM for unlimited drinks for 2 hours and you might think that it may not be worth it, but believe me it is. They also set up the beer pong table if you want to play but be careful of Enes, the manager. He definitely knows how to play so hopefully he doesn't suck you in with his bets of beers. He is pretty great though for sure. The hostel itself is about 25 RM a night and the beds are relatively comfortable, but it really is more about the experience than anything.

I mean it has party hostel in the title, so obviously it has to live up to the name. This experience was a bit different however, because I volunteered here. I never actually stayed at the hostel, but I obviously met a lot that did. It is located right off of Love Lane in the middle of Georgetown, Penang, so it is in a pretty good location. I have to say that even though I didn't stay in the hostel, it was quite evident from people that were staying there that is definitely a great place to party at, but not the best to stay at. It is about 40 RM a night and for every night that you stay there, you get two free drinks when you go up to the bar and tell the bartenders your bed number. They also have a beer pong tournament every night with a 20 RM buy in and if you win, you can get a 180 RM prize, on Saturdays though it is a 250 RM prize. From what I have heard though, since I have left, lots have changed. Especially the themed nights, which in my personal opinions were the best nights. You also go on a "pub crawl" which honestly really isn't much of one because you are just going to the other bars that the owner owns. So, I guess what I am trying to say is party there, but maybe not stay there. I could add my own personal opinions of my experience working there, but I rather not.

This hostel is another one where it may not seem like much, but once you stay there and meet the people, it is one of the best places I've stayed because of the vibe. I moved over to this hostel after I left Tipsy Tiger. It seemed to be a refuge for me after the drama of the other hostel. David, the owner really is a gem. He is one of the nicest people I have met and will help you out if you ever need anything! The hostel is also really good because they like to organize trips around the island like beach day to a secret island, overnight trips to Monkey Beach, they even cook dinner sometimes and have barbecues. They have a bar there so you can also buy drinks and just chill if you like. David will probably tell you some crazy drunkens stories and do not even TRY to have a chugging contest with him. You will definitely lose. All in all, great hostel.

We now head to one of the most famous party islands in Thailand, Koh Phi Phi.

The entire island becomes one crazy party at night with bars in the town and on the beach. One of the most famous things for Ibiza House Hostel is their pool party. When I was there, they did not have the new building, but it was still fun nonetheless, so I can only imagine what it would be like now. It is right on the beach and the price is pretty reasonable, however, depending on the season it can increase pretty high, but it is definitely worth it.