How many beds?

Hello,

I'm going to Beijing this Autumn and I'm about to make reservations at a hostel (Zhaolong International Youth Hostel). Since I've never done this budget-travelling thing before, I have a question for you:

I get to choose between a room with 2, 4 and 6 beds. I'm travelling alone and want to meet other people, but still be able to sleep at night without being disturbed to much. Which should I choose?

General hostel opinion: Go with the 6 bed from the choices. They may also have a 14 bed dorm for the drop ins. I don't stay at many YHI hostels, but I did stay in one in Glasgow. I got the 6 bed room, and found it empty. I initially found it to my liking, but later met a couple of the people staying in the 14 bed dorm while doing laundry. After talking with them for a bit, I ended up moving down to the more crowded room and having a grand

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If you want to meet people, go with the larger dorm room. The more beds, the better the chance you can meet some one you would like to hang with. You can of course meet people in the common areas as well, depending on how outgoing you are, but why limit yourself with a small number of roommates?

The golden rule for happy sleep in a dorm is to pack ear plugs. I almost never used them in two years of travelling but when you find your first snorer you will wish you had them.

Hello, This is something that you are wasting your time worrying and wondering about. You go to a hostel and you see what happens. It is absolutely impossible to know in advance how things will go. If you fully intend to make friends and enjoy yourself then go for it. If you are worried you won't like it then maybe you shouldn't.

HEY! I resemble that remark!

I would say go regardless. My first hostel experience was years ago in Memphis, Tenn., USA. I had never stayed in a hostel, but a friend I was traveling with had, and recommended we do it. I was very ... hedgy ... on the whole thing. Once we were there, however, we immediately met some Aussies, a Kiwi, and a couple of Brits. My misgivings were gone in a flash, and we all hit the town ... having a great time in the process.

> Memphis, Tenn., USA. I had never stayed in a hostel, but a friend I was > traveling with had, and recommended we do it. I was very ... hedgy ... on > the whole thing. Once we were there, however, we immediately met some > Aussies, a Kiwi, and a couple of Brits. My misgivings were gone in a flash, > and we all hit the town ... having a great time in the process. >

Good point. Most young or new travellers are not real confident that they can go to a strange place and live in a room with several complete strangers. But I have seen it happen thousands of times where these new guys end up having the greatest experience of their lives. It is the rare moron who is determined to be rude and selfish that has a bad time. If you are that way then don't go. But anyone with a positive attitude should show a little confidence and try hostelling. You are going to make new friends and have new adventures.

If you want to see a book that describes American hostels in more detail then regular guidebooks see 'Hostels U.S.A.' - Written by Evan Halper and Paul Karr. This is what they wrote about Floyd's Hostel: '...Fort Lauderdale's best hostel...something different. What he has created is a cross between a college dorm room, a nonstop picnic, and your first apartment. Very homey... Beneath shrubs sprouting red flowers practically year-round, a very international crowd hangs out in a mellow groove... If you're looking for adventure, this can be a great hostel to visit. ...he runs a decent