I finally chose a hostel over a hotel in Lisbon and it changed my whole trip
Last spring, I had to pick between a $150 a night hotel room near the city center or a $35 bunk in a hostel a few blocks away. I went with the hostel, which felt like a gamble. It ended up being clean, and the people there told me about a free walking tour and a cheap local market. Has anyone else found a good hostel that made a trip better?
Stayed in a Berlin hostel last year that had mold growing in the shower grout. The staff called it "patina" and said it added character. Guess my standards for clean are just too high.