Decided between Airbnb and a hostel for a week in Portland

I was planning a 5 day trip to Portland last spring and had to pick between a cheap hostel downtown at $35 a night and a private Airbnb room for $75. I went with the hostel to save money, figuring I'd just sleep there. Turned out the hostel had a free breakfast of bagels and coffee, plus a shared kitchen where I cooked most of my meals. The Airbnb would have cost me $375 total, but the hostel ended up around $175 after all fees. I spent the extra cash on a day trip to the Columbia River Gorge instead. Has anyone else found hostels beat Airbnb for solo trips like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

anthony_jackson3110d ago

Hold up, bagels AND coffee for free at a $35 hostel? That's wild. Man, I'd eat like 4 bagels every morning just to get my money's worth. Places near me charge $5 for a single sad bagel with cream cheese on the side. You basically got a free meal and a place to crash for pocket change, that's a no brainer. Made me rethink my whole vacation budget just reading this.

smith.lee10d ago

People keep talking about the bagels like it's all about breakfast but nobody mentions how hostels like that are basically a networking hub for solo travelers. You could sit in the common room with that free coffee and meet people who know the local cheap eats and hidden free attractions. That alone saves you money on overpriced tours and bad restaurant choices. Plus if you make a few friends you might split an uber or a rental car for a day trip. The bagels are a bonus but the real value is the info and connections you get just by being there.

smith.lee10d ago

And that's exactly how I ended up at a Greek taverna in Brooklyn with a guy from Sweden who knew the owner's cousin.