HI announces the HI-5ives!
Hostelling International (HI), the only global network of hostel associations, has announced the best hostels in the world according to their customers. HI’s annual hostel managers meeting has just taken place in Vienna, Austria, at which the prestigious HI-5ives! awards ceremony took place, to celebrate the top hostels in the HI network.
Hostellers who left ratings on the website hihostels.com during 2011 have now had their say and awards have been handed out in the following five categories: Friendliest Hostel, Most Efficient, Most Comfortable, Best Overall Hostel and Best Hostel Country.
The results of the HI-5ives! hostel awards are as follows:
Best Hostel 2011 - Lerwick Hostel (Shetland Isles), Scotland
Lerwick YHA - Shetland Islands, Scotland. Winner - Best Hostel 2011.
The most prestigious award of ‘Best Hostel’ is given to the hostel with the highest overall rating in all categories.
Located off the northern edge of Scotland, on the Shetland Isles, Lerwick Hostel (also known as Isleburgh House) was voted best hostel in Europe last year and has gone one better by scooping the top HI-5ives! award in 2011.
HI customers love its location with close proximity to local amenities, the beautiful grand mansion house with fabulous views, and commented particularly on the friendly and efficient staff.
Friendliest Hostel 2011 - HI - Martha's Vineyard, USA
HI Martha's Vineyard - USA. Winner - Friendliest Hostel 2011.
HI can virtually guarantee you a friendly smile whenever you are welcomed to a HI hostel but this award goes to an outstanding effort in this category.
This year’s winner, Martha’s Vineyard, an island retreat off the Massachusetts coast in USA, wins customers over with their delicious pancake breakfasts, but what shines through are the comments about hostel staff who are continually described as kind, attentive and extraordinarily helpful.
Most Comfortable Hostel 2011: Utano Youth Hostel, Kyoto, Japan
HI Utano Youth Hostel - Kyoto, Japan. Winner - Most Comfortable Hostel 2011.
This super-modern hostel is located in central Japan and features its own Japanese bath, which is a hit with HI guests!
Customers also highly rate the spacious feel of the Utano Youth hostel, the comfortable furniture and peaceful atmosphere in a quiet neighbourhood. This hostel is also conveniently close to sites of interest such as temples and museums.
Most Efficient Hostel 2011: HI Baan Dinso, Bangkok, Thailand.
HI Baan Dinso - Bangkok, Thailand. Winner - Most Efficient Hostel 2011.
HI Baan Dinso is a firm favourite with HI guests who voted it ‘Best Hostel’ in both 2009 and 2010, so it’s no surprise to see it in the winning line up this year.
This boutique hostel is described as an oasis of calm in the bustling city of Bangkok. It is praised for the exceptional service and cleanliness once again, but what really makes a difference are the staff, who are always prepared to go the extra mile to make everyone enjoy their stay.
Best Hostel Country 2011 – South Africa
The 22 hostels in South Africa have pulled in the best ratings overall for a single destination. This is a fantastic accolade for a network which was formed just one year ago. Ranging from fantastic beach side retreats to gateways of some of the best safari parks in the whole world, every SA hostel has something very special to offer an adventurous traveler.
All award categories were based on ratings received during a 12 month period, from 1 November 2010 to 31 October 2011. During those 12 months, a minimum of 5 customer ratings on average per month was required to qualify. A hostel can only win one award category each year.
About Hostelling International
With more than 4000 hostels in 91 countries worldwide, Hostelling International (HI) is the largest accommodation network in the world. HI promotes intercultural exchange, social learning and sustainable travelling under the slogans ‘Discover the real hostel experience’ and ‘Say HI to the world’. The hostel network enables people of different nationalities, cultures and social background to meet informally, share experiences and learn about each other and their surroundings.
The website hihostels.com details all the hostels, provides inspiring travel guides and enables instant online reservations. Every customer who makes a booking on hihostels.com is asked to rate various aspects of their stay. Those ratings form the basis of the HI-5ives! awards.
