When I was backpacking through Asia and Europe, hostels were god-sent and provide that much-needed space to get to know people, have adventures and travel the world.

But hostels for women were hard to come by, in fact, the only options available were “female-only” dorms. Sometimes that’s good enough as you can still have a safe space and connect with other like-minded people, but sometimes you really wondered if there were more options?

Currently, in mid 30’s and I find myself trying to also look for not just female-only dorm rooms, but hostels that go above and beyond to cater to the women-only crowd.

The hostel life is not for everyone but I am blown away by what female-only hostels have: there’s fantastic security, spa services, social nights, delicious breakfast and free mani-pedi sometimes.

communal areas to hangout and meet other travellers

One such place that blew my mind was Arya Wellness in Bali — it has everything from meditation to yoga, fitness classes, massage, manicure, pedicure, movie nights, cooking class, quiz, family dinners and day trips!

There’s more on the best hostels for women which I’ll share below — but for now here’s my experience of what’s it like to stay in a hostel and why you should stay in a hostel as a female.

Also Read: The Best Places To Travel Alone in Asia: For Solo Travellers

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Why You Should Stay in a Hostel?

a typical garden space in a hostel for women

As a solo brown female traveller who have always tried to strike the middle ground between safety and comfort, I find hostels a really great atmosphere to connect with people.

Questions like how comfortable are you sleeping next to strangers or is it OK to stay in hostels as you reach your 30s? All this boils down to your comfort level.

Personally, I have always stayed in female only dorms and picked homestays or poshtels that are more women-centric during my travels. It’s just one less problem to think about when I am travelling alone.

When travelling in hostels, I am not super fussed as long as the hostel is safe, clean and you don’t get creepy men in your dorms, you should always vouch to stay in female-only hostels.

A bonus point which I should add is that if bathrooms are inside the rooms, then you should absolutely stay in female-only dorms. Make sure to keep your valuables close to you!

Where can you find hostels for women?

Hostelworld: It’s a no-brainer that this app is the single most important and widely used when it comes to hostels all around the world. It allows you to filter search results based on various preferences, including female-only dorms or hostels.
Booking.com: I have been using Booking.com to frequently book for stays and what makes it easier is that almost every hostel has a female-only dorm so that makes half your life easier!
Facebook Groups/Reddit: I find facebook groups like Girls Love Travel or Solo Female Travelers very useful for recommendations when it comes to hostelling for women. Even Reddit threads like r/solotravel have plenty of advice for women who are unsure where to start with!

The Best Hostels For Women in Europe

women’s only hostel in prague — how comfy does this room look?

Women's Only Hostel - Female Only (Prague): Clean, cute and chic describes everything about this hostel in Prague! This women’s only hostel has movie nights, facilities and common areas catered for women only making it quite the dream space to relax and be yourself among other women travellers!

Hostelle - women only hostel (Amsterdam): A 20-minute metro ride from Amsterdam’s city centre, female only hostel Hostelle offers rooms and beds in an modern designed hostel. The female only rooms and dormitories are all individually decorated with wall paintings and vintage furniture. How cute is that?

Women Only - Solo Mujeres (Seville, Spain): If you’re solo travelling in Seville, you should absolutely stay in this homestay like hostel that’s catered specifically for women! The lady and host is friendly and provides everything you need for your stay there!

miss sophie’s hosel in prague looks comfortable and has a modern vintage touch

Miss Sophie’s New Town & Wellness (Prague, Czech Republic): I wouldn’t say this is a hostel per se, but more of a boutique accomodation that’s catered to female travellers because of it’s relaxing vibe and spa spervices. There’s a buffett breakfast and you’re bound to bump into older female travellers who love to relax!

a sauna from yasi hostel in lyon, france

Yasi Hostel (Lyon, France): A sauna room and a chic room just for your privacy if everything feels too much? Yes! This hostel in France has female only dorm room and also your own private rooms if you wish — the interior is relaxing and they also have a garden and nice social spaces for you to mix around!

look at this chic hostel in portugal - it comes with a full breakfast and cocktails

Gallery Hostel (Porto, Portugal): If you had one luxury hostel to stay in, it would be in Porto! The rooms have a portguese design and for the price you’re paying you get access to a full continental breakfast, wide range of cocktails wines and snacks all in a nice and calming setting with female-only dorm rooms included as well!

Ecomama (Amsterdam): Imagine tee-pee tents for movie nights and cute vintage decor in an all girls dormitory? Yes, Ecomama has it all for artsy vibes and chill environment in a nice relaxed environment if you want to be social and not so social at the same time!

The Best Hostels For Women in Asia

at arya wellness retreat in bali — balinese charm with rejuvenation all here!

Arya Wellness Retreat (Bali): As mentioned earlier, this was such a great start to a trip when I was solo travelling in Bali. Tucked away in the heart of the island, this hostel seamlessly blends traditional Balinese charm with modern amenities. The tranquil setting, spacious dorms, and private rooms make it a sanctuary for those seeking balance and rejuvenation. Yoga sessions at sunrise and holistic wellness activities added an extra layer to the stay making it the perfect start!

when you want to lounge and do absolutely nothing in bali in a safe space!

Puri Garden Hotel & Retreat (Bali): For a touch of luxury on a budget, Puri Garden Hotel & Retreat in Bali is an absolute gem. Surrounded by tropical gardens, the hostel boasts a refreshing swimming pool — a perfect spot for unwinding after a day of exploration. The social atmosphere, wellness activities, and cultural experiences organized by the hostel make it more than just a place to stay.

The Farm Hostel (Bali): This hostel has a more social atmosphere but what I like about it is how many activities there are. It is almost like a party hostel but with a decent crowd that is chilled enough to be quiet and give you space whenever you want.

at k’s house ito onsen in japan - how tranquil is this space?

K’s House ITO Onsen (Japan): The perfect blend of traditional Japanese hospitality and modern comfort. The highlight? Relaxing in the soothing hot springs and traditional ryokan by the canals. The commitment to safety and comfort made it a secure space for solo female travelers.

Hidden Garden Hostel (Chiang Mai): Stepping into the cultural hub of Chiang Mai, Hidden Garden Hostel provided a cozy and welcoming environment. Surrounded by a lush garden, it offered a peaceful retreat from the city's hustle and bustle. The female-only dorms were designed for comfort and privacy and plus it was really easy to have access to the countless restaurants nearby.

hostel lullaby in chiang mai - cute rooms and brightly lit!

Hostel Lullaby (Chiang Mai): There’s free breakfast, cycling and yoga activities - almost like a sanctuary in Chiang Mai to hang out and chill with other people. The garden is one of the best highlights where you can just relax and do your own yoga.

The Corner Mum Muan Hostel (Chiang Mai): Think sleek luxury with your own private space to do your thing, and also hangout with other solo travellers if you want to grab dinner. There’s a nice balcony and mountain views too which gives you that feeling of being in a retreat.

The Best Hostels for Women in Australia & New Zealand:

best hostels in australia for solo travelling - wake up!Byron bay

Wake up! Byron Bay (Australia): One of the best places to hit the beach, have access to daily yoga classes, a bicycle and meet cool people with very chilled vibes. The female dorms are perfect for your own safety and privacy. A complimentary shuttle bus is provided to take guests to and from Byron Bay town, which is 3 km from the property.

YHA Grampians Eco, Hall’s Gap (Australia): Imagine visiting Aboriginal rock art sites, scenic lookouts and waterfalls all within the Grampians National Park. This is a bit more countryside living while being incredibly rustic leaving you with awe on how close you’re to the nature in Australia from wildlife spotting like kangaroos, deer and native birds. There’s also a complimentary herb garden with access to free-range chicken eggs.

at haka house in Mt cook, new zealand — cool rustic vibes!

Haka House Aoraki, Mt Cook (New Zealand): A sauna with a chalet like rooms and also perfect with female dorm rooms. This is perhaps one of the best place to stay in while feeling like a holiday home considering how close you’re to Mount Cook. You can go walking, mountaineering, kayaking, skiing, boating, scenic flying and stargazing in the surrounding areas.

Hostel Street Smarts When Selecting One & Are They Safe?

By now, you’re convinced that hostels for women are pretty much safe and just the sheer amount of choices out there and the fact you’re in a safe space, makes it an easy choice. Here are few things you should be aware of when picking one:

Choose female-only dorms with privacy curtains
Try to pick female dorms with 6-bed or 4-beds — it’s far too cramped in the big ones.
Ensure there are lockers in each room for your belongings
Don’t select party hostels — they tend to have a bad rep
Don’t choose the cheapest hostels as they tend to attract the wrong crowd. Try to pick ones that have ones with a spa option, a yoga or swimming pool — it just makes the hangouts much more relaxing and chill.

The key thing is to remember that there are so many options out there — and sometimes if you don’t find a hostel, it is OK to even stay in guesthouses or homestays. Keep it flexible and choose wisely.

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