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When most people hear the word “hostel,” they think of a dingy little room with bunk beds and backpackers. But hostels have grown up over the past decade, attempting to become “luxe” havens to appeal to all types of travelers—especially the ones that love a great Instagram picture—yet still care about their budget. Below are ten of the chicest hostels to escape to now—from Chiang Mai to Paris, you’ll find the perfect budget-friendly spot no matter what kind of vacation you’re in the process of planning.

Oxotel Hostel, Chiang Mai

The Oxotel Hostel in Chiang Mai was newly renovated in 2015 and features a variety of different room types depending on whether you’re traveling solo or in a pair. With an outdoor patio and an oxen theme throughout the décor, this hostel is a peaceful haven from the city’s center, but it’s also located on the same street as the famed Walking Street Market for shopping galore.

Les Piaules, Paris


Are you traveling solo and want to meet other likeminded people? The Les Piaules in Paris not only has a great bar and rooftop, but it’s also decorated in the fun, artsy vibe of the Belleville neighborhood where it’s located.

Casa Gracia, Barcelona

This centrally located hostel (near Gaudi’s La Pedrera in Barcelona) is in an absolutely picturesque, boutique hostel, and has a community feel to it. The staff organizes nightly pub crawls and dinners for an authentic Spanish experience—expect plenty of tapas opportunities!

KEX Hostel, Iceland

The trendy KEX Hostel in the heart of Reykjavik not only contains all of your standard hostel necessities—bunks, free WiFi, and free breakfast—but it also has a gastropub, heated outdoor patio, and a barber shop (just in case you need a trim while traveling).

Freehand Miami, Miami Beach

Reinventing the historic Indian Creek Hotel—one of Miami Beach’s classic art deco buildings from the 1930s—the Freehand Miami was created to combine innovative design and a comfortable community at an affordable price. With interiors designed by Roman and Williams and local artists creating custom pieces, the space is a sight to behold—plus, it’s just a block from the beach.

The B.I.G., Cape Town

This boutique hostel in Cape Town, South Africa features a pool, garden, a braai, and a pizza oven to cook up meals when you’re not exploring what Cape Town has to offer. Plus, many of the rooms—singles or dorms—feature large windows or balconies to enjoy the South African sunshine.

WE Hostel, São Paulo

The WE Hostel took a gorgeous exterior building—a mansion from 1926—and gave it a modern, retro spin. Located near Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo, Brazil, WE Hostel provides access to an open kitchen, bar, and, of course, WiFi during your travel downtime.

COCOMAMA, Amsterdam

Combining the luxury and comfort of a hotel and the atmosphere (and low price) of a hostel, COCOMAMA was born. With a variety of room types depending on your travel plans, a family-style kitchen, garden, and a private cinema, you’ll never be bored—even when you want a break from exploring the city. Plus, the staff constantly has a social calendar on hand to let you know what’s going on.

Generator, Rome

The high-design hostel group, Generator, recently launched a location in Rome, providing a rooftop terrace, a café, and a bar on-site. The lobby features a mural designed by famous Italian street artist Luca Maleonte, and live music and local art are continuously on display. Plus, with rooms starting at just $28 for a bed per night (or $88 for a private room), you can’t really beat it.

The Independente, Lisbon

The vintage art deco vibe of this hostel is essentially a design lover’s dream, and the fact that beds start at around $17 a pop doesn’t hurt either. Plus, The Independente is located in the heart of Lisbon. With plenty to see and do, you might not even need to hang out in the multiple restaurants or rooftop bar at the hostel—but you’ll want to.