St. Christopher's Inn: The Organized Hostel

Some hostels are full of lizards that hang on the wall and watch you while you sleep. Some hostels are full of cockroaches ready to scurry across the floor and touch you at any given moment. Some hostels are full of organizational tools that will scare away all the lizards and cockroaches and leave you will a profound sense of peace and organiziness.

One of the best organized hostels that I've stayed at is St. Christopher's Inn. They've got hostels all over Europe; I'm currently overcoming jet-lag by blogging at 6 am in their Paris location.

Here's my list of the top 10 reasons I love St. Christopher's Inn.

1. The Website

Aside from being super easy to navigate and book online, they also put together a list of local sights to visit and monthly events. If you're new to a city and looking for quick ideas on what to do, this is a perfect reference, even if you're not staying at the hostel. If you're in Paris, like me, check out:

Paris Sightseeing

Paris Monthly Events

2. Under-The-Bed Lockers

Each person gets their own private locker under their bunk bed. These lockers are GINORMOUS and can fit your entire suitcase, along with your backpack, purse, and about a bajillion souvenirs. There's enough space that you can keep all your things controlled and organized if you so desire. Or you can be like me and say "screw you organization, I'm on vacation" and then go buy more souvenirs to shove in your locker. 

 (I'm really not usually this bad, really. I'm just in the process of moving back to America from South Korea, and stopping over in France with all my luggage on the way home. Good idea to lug all your most important possessions through the streets of Paris? Probably not. But at least I can fit it all in my locker...)

On the downside, locks are not included, so bring your own, and make sure it's fairly big since the space between the top and bottom of the locker is sizable. (I've tied my flashlight to my locker to make it easier to open at 6 am when I can't sleep)

 
Also, bring your own travel-sized WD-40, since the lockers also squeak.

3. Privacy Curtains

Snore in peace, and block out sunshine during your mid-afternoon nap.

4. Bed Labels

Who doesn't appreciate a good label?

5. Discount Cards

 You can sign up at home to get a free temporary discount card before you go, and bring it to the hostel for 10% off your booking. (If you only get the real card at the hostel, it doesn't count for the initial discount if you've already made the booking, since you pay for your rooms and then get the card. If you get the temporary card at home first, you can show it before you pay for the 10% off. You can also use the card for 10% off food and drinks, and for all future bookings.)

6. Personal Lights and Electrical Sockets

Located on the wall above you pillow, charge your camera and laptops behind closed curtains, and stay up late reading the latest trashy French romance novel without waking up the other people in your room.

7. The Organized Shower

Hooks to hang your clothes on, a mini-shelf for your toiletries or shoes, a bar for your towel, a partition to keep your things from getting wet, and a real actual door that locks.

8. Free Bedding

It's not only free, but also clean and comfortable. And one less thing to pack in your suitcase! (And if you stay in the girls-only rooms, you get free towels too!)

 
9. Free WiFi

Check your email, post on facebook, update your blog, the possibilities are endless.

10. Toilet Paper 

Happiness is a gigantic roll of toilet paper...