Sonja Shuttleworth
- Current Age?
20 - Nationality
Australia - Where do you live now?
Freiburg, Germany - Occupation
student - When it comes to travel accommodation (but leaving out crashing with friends, family or people you meet on the road), how often do you stay in hostels?
pretty much all the time - Where have you hosteled?
Australia, Europe - Would you stay in a hostel again on future trips?
Yes - Why or why not?
It's convenient and usually quite cheap, and hostels are usually large enough that they have equipment and provisions for most things I need (internet, phones, maps and pamphlets, sometimes film nights etc). - Out of all your experiences hosteling, what was your:
- Best Moment
- Worst Moment
- Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
- Biggest surprise?
- Best Moment
- Do you ever book any of your hostel accommodation in advance?
Always - Why or why not?
The thought of rocking up somewhere with my baggage and being unable to stay because it's full horrifies me. Plus my trips are usually planned in advance, so it doesn't take that much effort to book. - Who is the most memorable person you met in a hostel and why?
A German girl my age, because we got to talk a lot about German history and how she feels about it, and we bonded over Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire/Himmel Über Berlin. Oh and plus I got to translate Tori Amos lyrics into German for her, and got to see her reaction as she finally realised that her and my favourite singer sings lyrics that make absolutely no sense most of the time... - Why do you stay in hostels, as opposed to other types of accommodation?
They're cheaper, and I'm not fussed about luxuries. - Is there a hostel you'd recommend to other travelers? If so, what is it and where?
Transit Lounge Hotel, Berlin, Germany - What is the biggest myth people have about hostels and hosteling?
That your stuff always gets stolen and your roommates always snore. I've never had anything stolen in a hostel (touch wood), and although the annoying variety of roommate ALWAYS switches the bright, usually fluorescent light on when they come in at 3am in the morning, I've also never had any snorers (also touch wood)... - Why do you like to travel?
The usual: meeting new people, learning another language, seeing things totally out of your realm of experience, bungee jumping out of your comfort zone. Exercising your mind in a way you can't when you're stuck in the day-in-day-out same old-same old kinda rut. - What is your advice for other travelers wanting to stay in hostels?
I reckon most of them do anyway. Treat everyone there like you would like to be treated, offer your lollies around and if you do stinky poos in communal toilets, pack some air freshener. That is all.
- Destinations by Region
- Hostel Resources
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Travelers on Hosteling
Why hostel? Hear it from fellow travelers.Hostels by Region
See what hostels there are where you want to go.What are Hostels?
A way to have a better trip and stretch your budget.Why Hostel?
Here's just a few reasons.Group Hostel Bookings
Going with all your friends? Book all at the same hostel at once.Why Not Hostel?
It's not for everybody, so read up first.Debunking the Myths of Hostels
Here's the scoop: They're a great way to stay.Submit a Hostel
Would you like your hostel to be part of our online reservation system? Read about the benefits and sign up here.Travel Insurance
Protect yourself and your trip with some travel insuranceFAQ Hostels
The skinny on hostels and booking your bed online.
