Hotel v Youth Hostel

- Hotel -
Plus:

• Private room
• Own bath
  
• Nice fittings
• TV
  
• Room service
• Restaurant
  

Minus:

• Expensive
  
• Often new buildings lack architectural merrit
  
• Private room is lonely
• TV is a bad distraction
  

- Youth Hostel -
Plus:

• Cheap
• Friendly
• Dormitories help you meet frinds
• No TV
• Often have communal areas for meeting people
• Often in old interesting buildings
• Can cook your own food
  

Minus:

• Possibly less secure
• Have to make your own entertainment
• Large variability in quality etc.

On balance I prefer youth hostels. I've typically had great experiences right across the world from America to China. I love the way it makes you meet people and if arriving in a new city, especailly if travelling alone, there really is no better way to get acqainted, make friends, learn about what's good and what's not and have a good time.

I guess Hotels are better for married people who don't need other friends. But it's youth hostels for me all the way