whats your experience with hostels, should I take a sleeping bag?

Answer 1

Always and make sure its a good one, ive been in many hostels around the world and a half of them the bed were full of bugs, seamen and other unmentionable things........ you cant be too careful....

Answer 2

Yes, when staying in hostels you should always have a 'sleeping bag.' Many have 'sheets, pillows and cases' and good blankets, but not all of those 'change them after each occupant' for clean, and some don't have any 'niceties' like that ... so take your 'sleeping bag' for safety sake, but always ask if they have sheets/blankets on the bed, and how often they are changed when you check in. Then use 'good sense' ... if you don't 'feel comfortable' with the answer you get, climb into your sleeping bag on that bed ... or even on the floor, because the bed may be 'infested' with bed bugs.

Answer 3

I've stayed in hostels all over Europe, Asia, middle east, and never needed s sleeping bag, always got a stack of fresh clean sheets and blankets on arrival...but I've wanted a sleeping bag in plenty of fleabag hotels when I couldn't find a hostel!

if the place come's highly rated or recommended for cleanliness on Hostelworld.com, then generally you should be fine...

These days hostels in all the big cities worldwide are in competition for your money, and for your good ratings on the web (on sites like hihostels.com or hostelworld.com !), so 99% of them will do their level best to impress you with their cleanliness...

Also, in many hostels I've stayed in they won't let you use your sleeping bag because travellers on road for a long time don't clean their bags often enough!

If you are worried, why not take one of the silk sleeping bag liners... very light, and very comfortable!

Apart from that, you will have a fantastic time if you choose a highly rated hostel with a common room for meeting people!

Happy Trails

Philip

Answer 4

These days, you won't need a sleeping bad with the city hostels. With the more rural hostels in Europe, you may still need a sleeping bag.

Answer 5

I don't know what kind of hostels you all have been staying in, but at every single one I've ever been to, I was given a stack of sheets and blankets fresh from the washing machine and told to make my own bed. Everything was spotlessly clean.

HI (Hostelling International) sells approved sheet sets that are light and portable enough for backpackers and are okay to be used on all their beds- a lot of hostels I've been to don't allow you to use your own linens, in fact, unless they've been purchased from HI.

Answer 6

best tip i had before going hosteling was to stitch together 2 single sheets then climb into these before getting into bed that way you are not getting any nasties and you can wash it before you leave next morn its lighter than carrying a sleeping bag, another tip is to take most of your old clothes, and ditch them on the way, just take a few good clothes for special nights out, if you haven't got many go to the charity shops befor you go you could get a whole rucksack full for £20

Answer 7

I would. Even if the place is clean wouldn't you fell better having something of your own to have between you and the mattress?

Even if you don't bring a sleeping bag you could get a sleep sack. I have seen them made out of fleece and cotton. They look like a sleeping bag but super compact/lightweigt.

Answer 8

Hostels can be a great way of meeting new and interesting people... and infections! Play it safe always and bring precautions... a sleeping bag and your own towels etc.

Have a good holiday!

Answer 9

From what I have read here , perhaps it would be wise to take a sleeping bag or at least some sheets. I would take along some dettol wipes too, these might be very handy also.

Answer 10

With the now decreasing number of mexican immigrants in the US, there is also a decrease in the number of hotel maids. You can never trust a hotel to be truely clean. so yes, bring a sleeping bag. (unless youre planning to bring a black light to check the bed sheets).