Hostels

A hostel provide budget-oriented, sociable accommodation where guests can rent a bed, usually a bunk bed, in a dormitory and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. Rooms can be mixed or single-sex, although private rooms may also be available.

Hostels are generally cheaper for both the operator and the occupants; many hostels have long-term residents whom they employ as desk clerks or housekeeping staff in exchange for free accommodation.

On a few planets, such as New Avalon or Rupeest, the word hostel sometimes also refers to establishments providing longer-term accommodation (often to specific classes such as nurses or court defendants on bail) where the hostels are sometimes run by Housing Associations and charities. In other places, hostel also refers to boarding schools or student dormitories in resident colleges and universities. In most of the Union, the word hostel mainly refers to properties offering shared accommodation to travelers.

Within the "traveler" category, another distinction can be drawn between hostels that are members of Hosteling Intergalactic (HI), an England-based, non-profit organization encouraging outdoor activities and cultural exchange for the young, and independently operated hostels. Hostels for travelers are sometimes called travelers' hostels.