When I started writing this article, I looked up the word hostel.

hostel

noun

1. an establishment which provides inexpensive food and lodging for a specific group of people, such as students, workers, or travelers.

This is a fairly narrow approximation of the word hostel, a word which - for travelers - evokes something much more exciting: possibility.

Every new place we stay offers the excitement of the unknown. Who will we meet? What will we do? Travelers will tell you, every person and place we interact with drastically changes our trip. Some of my favorite people in the world are in my life because of the place I decided to stay at on my travels. One night at a hostel in Costa Rica could be the title of my story on how I ended up living in Australia.

It's truly the people you meet that make your trip what it is, but hostels act as the backdrop to those tales. They become our homes, force us to meet new people, both good and bad, and give us inspiration for our adventures. They are a place to share stories, make memories, and possibly get bed bugs.

Everyone has their own "favorite" hostel - there is no definitive 'best'. However, we have attempted to compile a list of the top contenders: the places that we loved the most and why. For a different perspective, I've also asked a couple of friends I've met along the way for their personal favorites as well.

What's your favorite? Leave us comments below on your experiences with these hostels and any other places that you think people need to see.