We do, but I think we are outgrowing them. We usually stay in private rooms at hostels/backpackers places all over (Australia, Asia, Central America), but I think we're sort of done with them. It's not so much the accommodations (we're not picky), it's more of the party/backpacker vibe in the common areas. The older we get, the earlier we like to get up and the less tolerance we have for people hanging out talking and smoking in the common areas at all hours. We had a realization of this on our last trip in Australia. We just want somewhere quiet, more romantic and less social these days :-)
I used to in college and never had a bad experience. Now I feel too old!
The last time I stayed in a hostel was in Ireland with DH when were just a couple years out of college. This hostel had a few private rooms, so it was more like a cheap hotel. We had our own bathroom with the world's tiniest shower stall. DH had to turn sideways and suck in his gut to fit through the door. If he dropped the soap, he'd have to call me to help him because there was no room to bend over and pick it up!
I'm not a fan of hostels just because bed bugs scare me and so does the whole shared bathroom thing. I do however use "Hotel Tonight" for hotel stays because it's fun not knowing where I'm going to be staying sometimes.
Same, but only if great reviews online. Last hostel I stayed at was in NYC when I was in law school. There were roaches and they refused to give me another room or my money back.
I stayed in hostels when I was backpacking after college. I had some great experiences and some really terrible ones. One outside Blois was just a few dollars a night and had the best, creamiest hot chocolate with breakfast. The ones we visited in Paris and Rome featured: filthy bedding (body fluid stains), vomit all over the bathroom, and swarming bugs that looked like bedbugs except they were much bigger, like the size of ladybugs. I had to stay up an extra 20 minutes or so killing all the bugs I could find with my paperback.
Some of these had good online reviews, but this was in olden times before tripadvisor.
I have some fond memories, but I wouldn't stay in a hostel again if I didn't have to.
I did until pretty late - like 30 or so. I wasn't snobby, I looked young enough for it and it's what I'd become used to. DH and I would stay in nicer places when we went away, but I'd generally stick to hostels when I was by myself or with girlfriends.
We haven't but we're both kind of anti-social lol. Honestly. We stayed at an inn this summer in California (like a b&B but technically an inn because they don't serve breakfast) and that was the most social I want to be with other people at random times throughout the day. I don't mind socializing with my friends or co-workers when I'm around them, but I need time away from people too. I hate feeling pressured to talk to or socialize with strangers, especially on vacation. Yes I'm weird. Also, private bathrooms are an absolute must so that would eliminate a lot of hostels for me.
We did a lot in college and just after. I don't think I'd go back to sharing a room or bathroom with strangers, but we'll still stay in a private room in a hostel. We don't really socialize while traveling, so that isn't part of it for us. If I can get an okay hostel and manage to afford the place I want to go I'd much rather go than stay home.
I stayed in a ton of hostels in the states and in Europe. I loved my experiences and met some wonderful friends from all over the world. I'm a huge fan and hostels let me travel when I was poor and young.
My aunt still stays in hostels and she is in her 70's.
I've never stayed in a hostel, but would consider it, and I think H would be on board. We don't spend a lot of time in the hotel typically, usually just there to get ready in the morning and to sleep at night. I would definitely want a private room though.
Hostels are way too crazy for me to stay with a 4.5 year-old in tow. If I can get away without her these days, I'm more likely to either stay with a friend or treat myself to a nice hotel to make the most of the time away from her.
Nonetheless, hostels were a heck of a lot of fun when I was traveling on my own pre-DD.