Travel dreamers we see you and your backpacking desires. We’ve pulled the data from the last three months and have your top ten wish-listed hostels in the whole wide world! Creating a Wish List on the Hostelworld app is like putting your intentions out to the universe and trusting that the law of attraction will one day get you there.
It’s true, 2020 has sucked in terms of faraway adventures, but this hasn’t stopped us wanderlusters dreaming, oh no. Many of you have been creating your own Wish Lists on the Hostelworld app and adding your dream destination hostels there. Hostel-shaped dreams can be found across 178 countries and range from beachy swim-up-bar vibes and DJ nights to hostels in city central backpacker districts with sociable happy hours. Anyway, we’ve had a rummage through your dreams and found your absolute favourites, your most wish-listed hostels.
1. ClinkNoord, Amsterdam
Well, well, well, lockdown’s got us all craving a stay in a 1920’s laboratory, found on the banks of Amsterdam’s River IJ, and why not! ClinkNoord has made it onto more backpacker’s Wish Lists than any other hostel in the world. This hostel is equipped to the max, with its own coffee shop, bar (check out their pizzas), bike hire and loads of entertaining things to give you an excuse to talk to other travellers. Amsterdam-Noord is the city’s alternative neighbourhood and ClinkNoord is just a 5-minute ferry ride from Amsterdam Centraal Station. Stay here for nearby street art and flea markets, shipping container hangouts and a river beach.
Quick fact: Anne and Shelley, two backpacking sisters from Dublin founded the Clink family of hostels. We salute you ladies, for following your dreams!
Book your stay at ClinkNoord now!
2. Puri Garden Hostel & Hotel, Bali
Puri Garden is everything you’d want a hostel in Bali’s yoga-centre to be, so it’s easy to see how this luxurious Ubud retreat made it onto so many Wish Lists. Hammocks (check), Buddha statues with flower garlands (check), lush swimming pool with unicorn inflatables (check), puppies to play with (check – yes really!). If Insta-likes are your currency, then Puri Garden’s breakfasts will make you rich! This hostel is sublime and they give you loads of free stuff too! Big free stuff, like massages, daily yoga classes and manicures. Enjoy sociable BBQ nights and lazy poolside days. If you’ve been searching for your Zen, you may well find it here.
Book your stay at Puri Garden now!
3. Wombat’s City Hostel, London
Wish-listers you have great taste! There are so many reasons to love Wombat’s City Hostel in London, and we should know as it’s hosted many a lively Hostelworld party 
Storytime: Wombat’s London was built in 1863 and was born to be a hostel, but back then it wasn’t filled with backpackers. Instead, thousands of sailors stayed here, probably playing Beer-Pong or the 1800’s equivalent. When the sailors got a bit too lively, priests from the nearby church popped round and helped the hostel staff kick them out – just imagine!
Stay here and you’ve got Tower Bridge and The Tower of London on your doorstep. For a big night out, you have Shoreditch in walking distance, or by day, check out its street art and pop-up scene. Wombat’s itself, has a huge underground bar, the Wombar, serving cocktails, shots and food – often in that order!
Book your stay at Wombat’s Hostel, London now!
4. Kuna Bali, Bali
Flashpackers unite! Kuna Bali is a white-walled and boho-chic hideaway, found in the heart of Ubud. If the Monkey Forest Sanctuary is on your list, you’ll find this hostel oasis in the lush green gardens behind it. Gently wake yourself up here with a free yoga class, grab a huge cushion and lounge on the terrace with a smoothie bowl breakfast and soak up the hostel’s tranquil vibe. If this hostel has made it on to your Wish List you should know in advance, that travellers often don’t want to leave.
Book your stay at Kuna Bali now!
5. Wake Up Sydney Central, Sydney
You love it, we love it! This hostel was voted ‘Best Hostel in Australia’ in our 2020 HOSCAR Awards. This hostel’s all about community, just the way we like it. Oh, and the location is spot on, right next to Sydney’s Central Station and a hop skip and a jump away from the iconic Darling Harbour. The hostel’s very own night-time hangout, the Side Bar, is a club that’s known for its ‘outrageous parties’ – their words, and we believe them, and if you’ve ever partied with Aussie’s you’ll believe them too!
Book your stay at Wake Up! Sydney now!
6. Wombat’s City Hostel Vienna – The Naschmarkt, Vienna
Another Wombat’s Hostel has made it onto your top ten wish-listed hostels and this time it’s the spacious and photogenic Vienna edition. Step out of this city-cool hostel and you’ll find yourself just south of the Cultural Quarter. Vienna’s one of those cities, that takes little imagination to step right back in time and feel like you’re wandering the pristine streets of centuries gone by. Spend the day admiring the nearby Hofburg Palace, your evening at the Vienna State Opera, and then a night in the hostel’s Wombar! We imagine that Austria’s historic elite also ended the night this way.
Book your stay at Wombat’s Hostel Vienna now!
7. Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui
Great choice wish-listers, you’ve excelled yourself with this one! I don’t want to brag, but I’ve had the pleasure of staying here myself and let me tell you it’s a good’un. If you’ve got high expectations, Lub d will raise that bar! With rooms that scream luxury (dorms and privates), two swimming pools (one with a floating DJ booth in – so extra!), and if that’s not enough to make you head to this Thai island hangout, then you should probably know that Chaweng Beach is its backyard. If you’re planning to go to Koh Phangan’s famous Full Moon Party, it’s just a boat ride away. Enjoy evenings partying at the hostel bar and watching epic fire shows on the beach.
Book your stay at Lub d Koh Samui now!
8. Little Charm Hanoi Hostel, Hanoi
Hanoi has long been a backpacker favourite. Perhaps it’s so popular because it’s the jumping-off point for Halong Bay, or maybe it’s the endlessly abundant street markets, the exceptional Bánh mì baguettes, or the chance to spot more people on a bike than you ever thought possible (plus a ladder and a chicken). When staying in Vietnam’s second-largest city, you’ll realise the hecticness and vibrancy is the magic of Hanoi. You’ll probably also appreciate a cool, clean and calm base, to rest in at the end of the day. Little Charm Hanoi, is the hostel of dreams and you just need to read the travellers’ reviews on our site to know why. “By far one of the best hostels I have stayed in during 6 months travelling” 10 out of 10! Have you seen that spa-like swimming pool?! On your Wish List, it should go!
Book your stay at Little Charm Hostel now!
9. Che Tulum Hostel & Bar, Tulum
As if you can stay in a hostel situated within a UNESCO world heritage site! You can, and as it’s in the top ten most wish-listed hostels, it seems many of you are already dreaming about a stay in Che Tulum. Destinations don’t get much dreamier than this stretch of Mexico’s Caribbean coastline, with white sandy beaches, palm trees and plenty of Mayan ruins – what a heady mix. Travellers rave about the sociable vibe at Che Tulum Hostel & Bar, as it’s one of those hostels where friendships are formed. Grab a bike and your new pals, to explore Tulum’s world-famous cenotes, head back to the hostel for a Beer-Pong tournament, and if you’re still going strong there are many nightclubs nearby.
Book your stay at Che Tulum Hostel now!
10. Arya Wellness Retreat, Bali
Bali, you’re so vain, you probably think this Wish List’s about you! Well, it is, with 3 Balinese hostels in the top ten, all of them in Ubud too. What makes Arya Wellness Retreat such a find? This traveller says it best: “The best hostel I’ve ever stayed in! Devastated to leave…even after extending my stay. The majority of people end up extending cause it’s so amazing. Comfy beds, great fitness classes, amazing pool & super helpful staff. I would 100% return 
.” You just have to look through this hostel’s photos to see that it’s a giant slice of Balinese heaven. Spa treatments, cooking classes, vegan food, family dinners and healing circles are just a few of the things this hostel has to offer the backpacking community. If Ubud’s terraced rice paddies haven’t made it onto your list, that’s probably because you’ve already been.
Book your stay at Arya Wellness Retreat now!
