Hostel Reservations/Etiquette

[sseldovia]

Do hostels typically require reservations or a "heads up" a few days before your planned stay? I know they vary for cost/donations expected, but am having trouble getting a feel for thru-hiker expectations on reserving a bed/floorspace. Thanks!

[Starchild]

I would say that most do not, actually I don't recall any that 'require' a reservation. Some will accept a reservation others will not and you need to show up.

That last part is a bit of a debate topic as some have said that use of a cell phone on the trail to get a reservation is 'unfair' or breaking some sort of AT trail etiquette.

[lonehiker]

That last part is a bit of a debate topic as some have said that use of a cell phone on the trail to get a reservation is 'unfair' or breaking some sort of AT trail etiquette.

Guess I've never worried what "some" thought. I have often called ahead to see if there was room or if they take reservations.

[Sly]

Some places such as green Mountain House require reservation but that's not a hostel per se. Others may accept reservations but I personally consider making one poor taste as there's likely others ahead that will get there and be denied, and hostels don't usually have staff waiting for phone calls.. I think it's better to reserve reservations for motels and B&B's

[canoe]

Some places such as green Mountain House require reservation but that's not a hostel per se. Others may accept reservations but I personally consider making one poor taste as there's likely others ahead that will get there and be denied, and hostels don't usually have staff waiting for phone calls.. I think it's better to reserve reservations for motels and B&B's

I know you have much more experiance me...I just dont see how making a reservation is in poor taste... everyone has the same opportunity to make reservation. Dang If I hiked into town only to find no bunks that would be mucho wasted time. Sure you still need resupply but still.

[Sly]

I know you have much more experiance me...I just dont see how making a reservation is in poor taste... everyone has the same opportunity to make reservation. Dang If I hiked into town only to find no bunks that would be mucho wasted time. Sure you still need resupply but still.

I don't like it because a hiker without a cell phone could be hiking all day, make it to an empty hostel and told there's no room. Hikers with cell phones could have made reservations and may not show up until 10 PM.

It's pretty much a moot point, few "hostels" take reservations or credit cards over the phone or on a website. I'm sure most would laugh at the caller. Motels, on the other hand are another matter entirely.

If I know there's a bunch of hikers ahead of me, rather than hike into town late and possibly shut out of room, I tend to camp or shelter before town, and make it to town early the next day.

[pafarmboy]

Huh? So non-cell phone hikers should get precedence? That's like saying non-tent carriers should get dibs on shelters.

I think the exact opposite. Poor taste is just showing up and expecting service. I always call and let a hostel know I'd like to spend the night. Thinking from a hostel owner's point of view, what the heck could possibly be wrong with that? T

[Sly]

Huh? So non-cell phone hikers should get precedence? That's like saying non-tent carriers should get dibs on shelters.

I think the exact opposite. Poor taste is just showing up and expecting service. I always call and let a hostel know I'd like to spend the night. Thinking from a hostel owner's point of view, what the heck could possibly be wrong with that? T

It's called first come, 1st serve (same as shelters) and has been around for ages. Not he who calls first.

[Drybones]

Huh? So non-cell phone hikers should get precedence? That's like saying non-tent carriers should get dibs on shelters.

I think the exact opposite. Poor taste is just showing up and expecting service. I always call and let a hostel know I'd like to spend the night. Thinking from a hostel owner's point of view, what the heck could possibly be wrong with that? T

Agree.........................

[Sly]

I saw where the new Top of Georgia is taking reservations. If they're swiping credit cards that's one thing but if not, dollars to donuts they'll abandon the system within a couple weeks, when people start complaining and others don't show up on time.

[ChinMusic]

I know you have much more experiance me...I just dont see how making a reservation is in poor taste...

It's not. I found most hostels willing to take reservations. The ones that did not sometimes led me to make other plans.

[Sly]

It's not. I found most hostels willing to take reservations. The ones that did not sometimes led me to make other plans.

ChinMusic can you tel me which hostels took reservations? I don't believe any of the church hostels, Kincora, Blueberry Patch etc do. Which hostels?

[ChinMusic]

ChinMusic can you tel me which hostels took reservations? I don't believe any of the church hostels, Kincora, Blueberry Patch etc do. Which hostels?

Now that I rethink it, I cannot think of one call I made where the hostel didn't take reservations. Now, I did not always call. I generally preferred motels when the option presented.


For sure took my res:
Aquone
Hemlock
Crazy Larry
Ironmaster
Green Mt
Hikers Welcome
The Cabin
Shaws
AT Lodge

I keep editing as I think of more. It isn't something I wrote down in my journal.

[lonehiker]

Some places such as green Mountain House require reservation but that's not a hostel per se. Others may accept reservations but I personally consider making one poor taste as there's likely others ahead that will get there and be denied, and hostels don't usually have staff waiting for phone calls.. I think it's better to reserve reservations for motels and B&B's

Most businesses on the AT don't have a staff waiting for phone calls. But, I guarantee that all of them sure appreciate the business that they receive. It is absurd to think that calling ahead to see about availability, and subsequent "reservation", is in poor taste. Hostels will make the call whether or not they will hold a room for you. My experience is that they will. I definitely won't apologize for prior planning on my part.

[mtntopper]

Some places such as green Mountain House require reservation but that's not a hostel per se. Others may accept reservations but I personally consider making one poor taste as there's likely others ahead that will get there and be denied, and hostels don't usually have staff waiting for phone calls.. I think it's better to reserve reservations for motels and B&B's

This is what you posted.

[WingedMonkey]

Since most trail hostels don't take credit cards, how are you going to guarantee a reservation?

How are they going to charge no shows?

[Sly]

Since most trail hostels don't take credit cards, how are you going to guarantee a reservation?

How are they going to charge no shows?

Most smart phones can swipe (or key) credit cards now. Another problem is even if they take credit cards in advance and the people don't show. They'll have to turn away hikers with empty rooms, make a refund etc..

Reservations just aren't conducive to hostels.

[mtntopper]

I often call ahead to see if there is a space available. Dang if I want to walk into town just to find out that the hostel is full. Poor taste or not I call.

[Sly]

I often call ahead to see if there is a space available. Dang if I want to walk into town just to find out that the hostel is full. Poor taste or not I call.

Calling to see if there's room and calling to reserve a room with hikers ahead of you is an entirely different matter.

[pafarmboy]

Calling to see if there's room and calling to reserve a room with hikers ahead of you is an entirely different matter.

Why? If it's the hostel owner's choice to say first come first served. Fine. I have no problem with that. You know how I'd know that? By calling.....

If others take reservations, how is that wrong? I'm supposed to intuit how many hikers are ahead of me and might wanna stay the night? To assume owners just want people straggling in at all hours to honor some sort of ancient code is crazy.