Hostels have long been the dirty word in the hotel and travel industry, but times are certainly changing for the better as the public realise more and more that hostels and youth hostels are a viable means of accommodation when they travel around the globe.

Despite their low price and somewhat bad reputation, many hostels are of a high standard and have great facilities for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.

The budget travel sector, such as backpackers, gap year travelers and also families wanting multi-location holidays, has boomed in the last few years and is driven to a large extent by word-of-mouth recommendation.

With competition in the industry hotting up and with millions of customers each and every year choosing cheaper, cost-effective accommodation, the standard and reputation of these places are ever-increasing.

The major hostel booking companies also have ratings systems which, not only helps customers to choose the right accommodation, but also helps to push hostel owners to do more to satisfy their customers as their ratings directly affect how much business they will receive from these booking sites.

The most popular hostel destinations are: London, Sydney, Rome, Amsterdam and New York and no matter where in the world you are travelling to, you will find a selection of great accommodation to suit both your taste and your budget.

Despite the arrival of budget hotel chains such as Travellodge, Ibis and Jurys Inns, backpackers still prefer to stay in hostels due to factors such as atmosphere, fun and the social experience of meeting other backpackers.

The hostel industry, once considered a cottage industry has now grown rapidly with the entry of new players opening deluxe hostel chains including The Generator Hostel in London

see http://www.hostelbookers.com

From the adventure lover to the historically inclined tourist, everyone has something to do in Greece. It has places that are frozen in a different time zone altogether. At the same time, it has places that have the exuberance and the vibrancy of today.

In simple words, Greece is the ultimate tourist destination. And it is also one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world.

If you are planning to visit Greece, then it is recommended that you spare a thought to travel and accommodation well beforehand to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Greece has some of the best of the best Hotels in the world and you will be surprised at the variety on offer. You can choose from small, cozy and affordable cottages to high class luxury hotels that cater to tourists who are accustomed to international luxury standards.

Cheap Hotels

For most tourists, price is not the only determining factor. It has to be economically luxurious. Isnt that a difficult combination to find?

But there are hotels in Greece that can be considered to be economical and provide the basic luxuries that can be accommodated within the price.

If you are headed to Athens, then the Athens Plaza is worth checking out. While it cannot be compared to the extremely luxurious hotels close by, it surely has a charm of its own. Its strategic location which has a view of the Acropolis is considered by many to be a key factor that works in its favor. But let me add that the staff is extremely professional and friendly.

You can also look for cheap hotels in Greece on the internet. There are numerous websites that are dedicated to the tourist looking for travel and accommodation in Greece. You are sure to find a hotel that suits your needs and requirements.

Most industry insiders are predicting that this year more people will be jetting off on city breaks, inter-railing round Europe and generally heading off traveling in greater numbers than ever before. And they’re spoilt for choice when it comes to the sheer range of excellent accommodation options out there.

Hostels

The number of backpackers hostels and independent youth hostels has surged in response to increased demand for cheap accommodation, as a result of a radical overhaul from the travel industry in the last five years, or so.

The package holiday for so long a staple of summer holidays has become chronically unfashionable, as people increasingly looked to move away from the uniformity that they promoted. And the conventional high street travel agent is feeling the pinch, as people increasingly found they could cut out the middle man and make their own arrangements online.

In light of this, people had to find some form of affordable accommodation on their holidays. And the answer came increasingly from the ranks of the independent youth hostels and backpackers hostels.

Hardly a new concept youth hostels have been around for years now the necessary tweaks really started to be made back in the late 90s. In retrospect, it’s hard to see which came first, the great accommodation or the booking sites that drive them. It goes without saying that there couldn’t be one without the other.

But with the internet, and a series of sites who allowed their customers to ‘rate’ hostels came a greater awareness of what travelers actually wanted and needed. Now well-stocked kitchens or cool communal areas boasting libraries filled with travel guides and DVDs, prove the rule rather than the exception.

And just as the hostels have gained in popularity (and quality), so too has the rest of the budget accommodation sector begun to take notice of the numbers of people, and offering an ever-improving service for less than you’d think.

Cheap hotels

The cheap hotel market, so long, seemingly, a slightly complacent force reluctant to really compete on price and relying on their hotel status, has started to really square up to its competitors. Increasingly, owners of small hotels are setting aside a quota of rooms online for the budget traveler, safe in the knowledge that they will be snapped up.

What’s more many small hotels have realized that they can turn their size into a significant advantage. Global travelers are increasingly looking for a sense of uniqueness, of individuality. It’s this desire that has inspired the rise of the boutique hotel, a concept which the cheaper end of the hotel market has embraced.

And there are times when even the most ardent backpacker or roving student traveler wants freshly pressed sheets, a hot shower to themselves and a good night’s sleep. Oh, and perhaps a mini bar

Bed & Breakfasts

Bed & breakfasts and guesthouses have also experienced a real resurgence in popularity in recent years. Both generally define themselves as ‘homey’ and comfortable with an emphasis on personal service rather than luxury. And their renewed popularity has come as a result of these values being increasingly in demand by footsore travelers.

Like the cheap hotel market they have responded well to a shift in the market, and the recent rise of boutique hotels by radically improving their service.

Apartments

Hovering somewhere between the service provided by a backpackers hostel (with a kitchen and lounge area as a general rule) and a hotel (you don’t have to share your accommodation with anyone else) renting an apartment has become a viable alternative to the usual cheap hotelB&Bhostel options. The hotels sector has even responded to the demand for apartment-style accommodation with the growth of aparthotels.

The apartment concept can be a winning one, particularly for those traveling in groups or those looking to stay in a town or city for more than a few days. Groups can really fill out an apartment and make it somewhere that they’ll genuinely look forward to coming back to at the end of a long day’s sightseeing, whilst long-stayers can settle in and spread out more than they could in a cheap hotel or hostel.

All in all, things have rarely looked as rosy for travelers with a budget.

Do you really want a cheap hotel? Dirty carpets, smelly bathrooms, no hot water and greasy food. Unlikely.

You are really looking for a good hotel, cheap.

Why pay more than you have to for your hotel? If you search for a particular hotel on any search engine you will find wide a range of prices for the same room. You do not want a cheap hotel so much as a good hotel for the minimum cost, so YOU are the one paying the lowest rate in the hotel.

1. Choose a hotel based on recommendations.

Personal recommendations are not always possible, but look for booking sites that have a customer comments page. The reports are well worth checking out. They are usually short and people only bother if they have had a particularly good stay or if they have unfavorable comments to make. Comments like – Bathroom had smell of urine in the carpet, tell you far more than a glossy brochure or website ever could.

2. Use the Internet

The Internet allows you to compare prices, facilities and meal packages far more easily than was ever possible before.

3. Be flexible in dates

If you are flexible in dates, hotels or room facilities you can indeed drive a deal. Avoid Weekend travel, stay midweek, and at all costs, avoid school holiday periods.

4. Be flexible in location

If you are prepared to stay in less popular cities or on the outskirts rather than the city center you will get a better deal.

5.Check the Airline and Car rental company sites

The airline or rental company get a kickback (commission) from the hotels yet their deals can still be some of the best around.

6. Look out for last minute deals

If you can do so, and all you are looking for is a break away, then check out the Internet for last minute deals. These offer outstanding value.

Remember – It is not a cheap hotel you are looking for so much as a good hotel, cheap.