Finding economical, clean, safe accommodations is the first hurdle young independent travelers face at each new destination. Fortunately there’s continued growth in budget hotels and independent and internationally affiliated hostels. New budget hotel and hostel locations include New York, Toronto, Hawaii, Colorado ski country and Washington state cycling territory.
– New York: After a multimillion dollar refurbishment in 1997, the Malibu Studios Hotel has reopened and is catering to travelers on limited budgets with rooms from $29 per night.
The Malibu now has 150 guest rooms. Rooms with private bathrooms can accommodate two or four people and are priced from $75 to $135, continental breakfast included. They have been decorated using a black and white minimalist theme with sleek modern furnishings and amenities that include color cable TV, compact disc player, clock radio and a writing desk. For those who really want to cut corners, there are also double rooms with shared bathrooms for $29 to $59 per night with continental breakfast. Most have the same amenities as pricier rooms.
The hotel is located on Broadway at 103rd Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, close to Central and Riverside Parks, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine (the world’s largest Gothic cathedral), Grant’s Tomb and Columbia University. Subway and bus transportation just outside the hotel. There is a 24-hour concierge, and the hotel has agreements with several local health clubs.
For more details, contact the Malibu Hotel, 2688 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025; 212-222-2954 or 800-647-2227. You can view the new decor on the Malibu Hotel Internet site at citysearch.com/nyc/malibuhotel
– Toronto: The city has a new hostel geared to young independent travelers that is going through a $175,000 (U.S.) refurbishment. It’s open to visitors now, but by spring its much-needed facelift should be completed.
The hostel is located in the old Spadina Hotel, which in its previous incarnation served as a venue for a variety of well-known Canadian musicians, including Leonard Cohen, Tragically Hip and Bachmun Turner Overdrive. Admittedly today it’s a tired old building, but with a new colorful coat of paint on the outside it’s starting to come back to life.
With 150 beds, Global Village Backpackers is the largest international travelers’ hostel in the city. Its location at 460 King St. West is a convenient walk from the CN Tower, Skydome, the theater district and the entertainment opportunities of the Queen Street West neighborhood.
By spring, 200 beds will be available. Most rooms have four beds, but some private rooms are also available. Guests have 24-hour access, and there’s a kitchen, laundry room, games area and common room. There is a separate area for groups, with a private kitchen, bathroom and common area. The renovation program includes the addition of a bar offering a selection of Canada’s best microbreweries and an outdoor deck.
Global Village Backpackers dormitory bed rates start at about $16 U.S. per night, plus taxes. Double rooms are available for about $32 U.S. plus tax. There is no membership requirement, though discounts are offered to members of Hostelling International, International Student Identity Card holders and members of VIP Backpackers.
For reservations, call 416-703-8540 or 888-844-7875, or write to: Global Village Backpackers, 460 King St. West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 1L7.
– Hawaii: Budget travelers interested in exploring volcanoes in Hawaii have a new hostel to use as their base. Hostelling International has announced the addition of the 10-bed HI-Holo Holo In on the Big Island of Hawaii just a mile from Volcanoes National Park. For $15 per night, guests have use of laundry facilities, a sundeck and sauna, and are provided with complimentary coffee and tea. A family room is available with advance reservations.
Volcanoes National Park features two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa (the largest volcano in the world) and the Kilauea Caldera, which is constantly adding new land to the island. You can sign up for ranger-led walks at the park’s visitor center. The hostel is also just a short drive from the Punaluu Black Sand Beach, where you can watch for sea turtles.
For information, contact HI-Holo Holo In, 19-4036 Kalani Honua Rd., Volcano, Hawaii 96785; 808-967-7950 or visit its Web site at www.enable.org/holoholo/
– Colorado: Another new HI hostel has recently opened in Crested Butte (the birthplace of extreme mountain sports). HI-Crested Butte International Hostel is just down the road from the Crested Butte ski areas and within walking distance of shops, restaurants and a free ski shuttle. It can accommodate up to 52 guests in four-bedded rooms from $14 to $21 per person, per night. The rooms can be reserved by couples or families. The hostel also has laundry facilities and a fireplace.
For information, contact HI-Crested Butte International Hostel, 615 Teocalli Ave., Crested Butte, Colo. 81224; 970-349-0588 or 888-389-0588.
This is one of 40 HI hostels located in U.S. winter ski resort areas. Other Colorado ski regions with HI hostels include Breckenridge, Aspen, Snowmass, Powderhorn and Purgatory. You can find out about low-cost accommodations at U.S. and Canadia ski resorts through the Internet site www.hostels.com/ski.
– Washington: Also new from HI is the Pacific Coast HI-Grays Harbor Hostel in Elma, a town 21 miles west of Olympia near north/south and east/west bicycle routes.
This 14-bed facility has a library, hot tub, self-service bicycle repair shop and par-3 golf course. Dormitory accommodations are $9 to $12 per person.
For information, contact Pacific Coast HI-Grays Harbor Hostel, 6 Ginny Lane, Elma, Wash. 98541; 360-482-3119. For information on any HI facility, contact: American Youth Hostels-HI, 733 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005; 202-783-6161 or on the Web at www.hiayh.org.
