I have found out about this service - which allows you to stay at "hostels" - many are actually fully furnished apartments (including kitchens), at a much cheaper rate (especially overseas) than 5 star hotels. Breakfast is often included in many of the properties.

Has anyone stayed at such hostels overseas.

The link to this service:

www.hihostels.ca

Send me a PM and I can tell you all you need to know, possibly more!

In a nutshell hostels can be a great way to go, many have private rooms and all in Canada have kitchens (this is not always the case in Europe so it does depend). The added value is that you get to meet people from all around the world and share travel tips and stories.

I have stayed at many a hostel, on every continent, both HI-affiliated and independent.

Although there are benefits to being an HI member, there are some real dogs in the system and there are several locales where the smaller independent places beat the larger HI places hands down. Always do some due diligence with the user reviews at hostelworld.com and hostels.com.

I have stayed at some hostels in South Africa and Australia that were more comfortable, boasted a higher quality staff and had more character than any hotel in town.

I agree with YYZC2 there are some problem hostels whether HI or not and due dilligence is always advisable. If you do no due dilligence I think you are better off with HI as there barebones standards to be met.

I'll be having my first hostel experience tonight.
Been even told I can get a single room...that sounds even better than most dorms???

Actually, I personally know the CEO for hihostels. He personally swears by his "product" but I've never given in to staying in one.

I've stayed in numerous hostels in the US, Canada, and Europe. In general if you want a good-quality private room, you have to book well in advance. And often a 3* or 4* hotel on Priceline meets or comes close to the prices for the hostel private rooms. But you can really save money if you use the dorms. In the US and Canada, I've used HI places exclusively. In Europe I've used independent hostels. That's just how it's worked out - not a conscious decision. Read the reviews at http://www.bugeurope.com to make sure you choose a good place. Many hostels have an inconvenient location, many do not provide towels, etc.

HI is a great place to stay if you are on a tight budget. Some are as good as the 2 and 3 star hotels. I stayed in one in Santa Monica and I prefer the Hostel International over the Holiday Inn.

In SF, the HI are located in the Wharf region and Union Sq, so while some are not so great locations, others are in the thick of things.

Without fail, I have always met people I ended up travelling/sightseeing with and this makes the experience great. Having said that, I have never had a private room, though in some they are available (at a premium). Also, as WillTravel said, they do not provide towels, but do usually provide bed sheets and pillowcases.

I am not sure I would ever compare HI prices with 5 star hotels! In addition, I would advide some caution. In my younger years, I did a trek of California, and while I was taking a shower, I had my credit card pinched from my room,. Travails of shared rooms. In about a dozen different hostels that I have stayed in (all HI), this was the only unpleasant incident against many happy times. Also this incident had a happy ending as this was my second last day and after I explained what happened to the AC agent, he let me go back to Canada a day ealry, without making me pay for a change fee (I had very little cash left and that was my only cc).