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Desi hostels get a cool spin

From staying in shipping containers to party buses, these lodgings are more than just a place to crash at

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(Clockwise): The Mudhouse Experiential Hostel at Himachal Pradesh; The Prison Hostel at Goa and The Bunkker Hostel at Goa
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Hostels have proved to be a boon for budget travellers. While a number of them have cropped up in India in the recent few years, they are no more limited to being just a place to crash at. Owners are giving hostels a cool spin. For instance, at Mudhouse Experiential Hostel in Himachal Pradesh, you can stay in a mud structure or in a shipping container at Bunkker in Goa’s Vagator. At Prison Hostel in Anjuna, Goa, you are given a prison number and your mugshot holding the qaidi placard is clicked. After Hrs explores why such hostels are so popular among tourists... 

ALL ABOUT EXPERIENCE

Holidaymakers want to make the most out of every aspect of their travel. Rahul Kumar, the founder of Mudhouse in the Jibhi hamlet of Tirthan Valley, says, “The kind of living a hostel gives is much beyond what a hotel or guesthouse can. The experiences, the credible source of information and healthy mental aura are among the few primary stats that are bringing more travellers to hostels these days.” 

Manish Chopra, one of the partners of Bunkker, agrees that the biggest attraction for their guests is staying in a shipping container. Prison is the only party hostel that has its own bus to take you to hotspots after their bar has shut for the day. They also serve complimentary breakfast to help you get rid of a hangover.

SOCIALISING AND CO-WORKING

The primary feature of a hostel is shared spaces. Whether sleeping, chilling out, eating or even cooking, voyagers always have company. Manish points out that the concept comes from Europe, where people are into community living and social spaces. “Indians are getting inspired by that, and travel stories make for great conversations,” he says.

SOLO AND SLOW TRAVELLERS

Since people are travelling solo more than ever, hostels accord you with the opportunity to be by yourself yet socialise. “You can easily find a partner and split the cost of transportation,” Manish avers. Rahul, too, corroborates that people travelling solo hanker for a healthy and intellectual surrounding. “I must add that women are more adventurous than men. Our hostel is secluded but girls are more open to staying here even if they’re alone,” Manish states. Slow travellers also benefit from this boarding choice as it doesn’t burn a hole into their pockets. “We have a lot of travellers who book their stay for a day or two but end up staying for a longer time,” Rahul says.


Wanderers Hostel in Goa and Jugaadus Hostel in Amritsar

GOING BEYOND HOSPITALITY

Hostels are going the whole hog when it comes to indulging their clients in experientials. Mudhouse, for instance, brings like-minded folk together. Rahul, a corporate filmmaker in Delhi, started the place to bridge the gap between travellers and creators of arts. “We provide a safe space to creators and collaborators by the kind of events we do, including Mudhouse Artists Gatherings, The Alternate Living Project, Shoonya — Celebrating Nothingness or Beyond. All these were started in collaborations with the travellers I’ve met at the hostels,” he explains, adding that the place has witnessed more than 1,000 footfalls of those who believe in retaining the sanctity of mountains as well as celebrating the joy of living. Manish reveals, “To bring our guests together, we have karaoke, barbeque and movie nights at Bunkker.” 

At Wanderers Hostel in Goa, you will meet fellow yogis, poets, artists, and writers. As for Jugaadus Eco Hostel, the first backpackers’ inn in Amritsar, owner Sanjay Sodhi says, “We aim to use ingenious solutions to immerse tourists in Punjabi culture and hospitality.”

FOR SUSTAINABILITY

A common factor with most hostels is their emphasis on protecting the ecology. Mudhouse is making luxury eco-friendly. Rahul says, “We are replacing the iron ceiling with Himalayan slates and bringing more eucalyptus wood rather than the local pinewood to do our bit in saving local forests.” 

Jugaadus has wiring of bamboo and reused tyres doubling as tables. Groceries and cotton for mattresses are bought from local farmers. In Sanjay’s words, “We promote sustainable tourism through working with local craftsmen and being ecologically aware.” These apart, Ecology Hostel in Leh strives to reduce carbon footprint and Jungle Hostel (Goa) follows the same principle. Wanderers has luxurious but affordable eco-friendly African tents.

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