Let's face it: Europe is expensive. Especially if you live in a country where 1 EUR = 63 PHP (July 2018). I'm a budget-conscious traveler who is always looking for a good value for my money.  I have to consider everything before I hit that "pay" button. I have to do my research before I can say I'm okay with what I'm buying. I found out that when traveling, the place where one stays the night always makes an impact to the whole trip. A traveler has a better chance of enjoying her day when she has good sleep (proven!).

And so to help you get your own, refreshing beauty sleep, let me share the top hostels I've recently tried. I'm not paid to do this blog post so you're in good hands. 😊

Generator Hostel Amsterdam

If there is one city I always come back to whenever I'm in Europe, it's Amsterdam. And if there's a hostel that has never let me down in the city, it's simply Generator Amsterdam. Located in Oosterpark, the Generator building used to be University of Amsterdam's zoological/science department. I usually go for a bed in a 4-bed female dorm which costs around EUR 20 per night (I stayed during fall and winter so far). Bedding and towels are for extra fees. Locker under the bunk bed. It has toilet and bath in every room. The hostel has the essential amenities - a cafe, a former lecture hall which is now a lounge and bar, the old library where I always hang out, and an elevator. Guys, this building has an elevator! (No climbing up the steep Dutch stairs with a heavy luggage!)

Location: ★★★★

Around 20 minutes via tram from Amsterdam Centraal. Take tram 9 Diemen (Sniep) and alight at Alexanderplein. From there, it's a 5-minute walk.

Cleanliness: ★★★★★

I come back to this place because my mind is at ease knowing that I won't be disappointed. It's very clean!

Service: ★★★★

Helpful staff at the reception. Assisted me even with the locker when I checked out. Also recommended a good cafe!

Value for money: ★★★★★

St. Christopher's Inn Barcelona

This hostel certainly made my stay in Barcelona in an upbeat! It's location is very central so no one is ever bored. I stayed in the fall and booked the 8-bed female dorm. My pod was clean, though the mattress had its human shape in the center already (ha!). It cost around EUR 20 per night. Bedding is free but towels are for an extra fee. Big locker under the bunk bed. There's shared toilet and bath in every floor. It has an efficient reception space, a bar and restaurant which give awesome discounts when you stay there, and it offers a free walking tour of the city so all you have to do is sign up at the reception when you check-in. It's how I met this awesome company of tour guides called Sandemans. Worth the large tip!

Location: ★★★★★

Around 40 minutes via bus from Barcelona El Prat airport. Buy a roundtrip airport bus ticket (much cheaper and easier). Drop-off will be Plaça de Catalunya. From there, it's a 5-minute walk. Also, it's very near the famous Las Ramblas!

Cleanliness: ★★★★

Building is up-kept.

Service: ★★★★

Helpful staff at the reception.

Value for money: ★★★★

A&O Hostel Salzburg Hauptbahnhof

My respite from the cold when I stayed during winter! The hostel has lots of space. You can see it in the reception, the elevators, and the room. I didn't even leave the room that night once I checked in. I booked a bed in 6-bed female dorm. The room was spacious, it even has a small dining set, and oh it has tv! It costs around EUR 20 per night. Bedding and towels are for extra fees. Regular cabinet lockers, none under the bed. It has toilet and bath in every room.

Location: ★★★★★

It's a 5-minute walk from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof so you can hop on the train to the airport or to Salzburg's Old Town in no time!

Cleanliness: ★★★★★

Building and amenities are up-kept and modern

Service: ★★★★

Helpful staff at the reception.

Value for money: ★★★★

Hostel Delft

It is very expensive in Amsterdam during summer so I opted to explore the charming Delft. And guess what? It did not disappoint, not even a bit. I always go for female dorm rooms and it was kinda late when I checked accommodation and this is the only place where there's an available bed, so I booked it. And like Delft, it did not disappoint. I liked that my room had large windows, and that it's cozy but with enough space for luggage of 4 people. It's clean (the owner cleans it!). It cost me around EUR 30 per night which is very cheap compared to Amsterdam summer prices (my usual Generator Amsterdam bed was at EUR 70-90). Bedding is free, towels are for an extra. No lockers. It has toilet and bath in every room. It has a shared kitchen and roof patios which are really lovely to hang out in especially when the sun is up. No elevators though so I had to carry my big luggage up the narrow stairs! Carol the owner asked if I needed help though, but I declined cos you know, I'm a strong, independent woman lol! (But I really wished I said yes, ha!)

Location: ★★★★★

Google maps says it's an 8-minute walk from Delft Station, but for me and my short legs it's around 15! It is very central, same street as the Vermeer Museum and it's just on the street at the back of the main square.

Cleanliness: ★★★★★

Every day, rooms are vacuumed and toilets and baths are cleaned. When a girl says it's clean, it's clean.

Service: ★★★★

Carol and Raquel were very welcoming and helpful, and they answer questions willingly. Only downside though is that the reception is closed from 12NN to 4PM if I remember correctly, so if your key card has some trouble, you need to wait for someone to collect you at the door, or if you're really in a hurry, you have to phone call them.

Value for money: ★★★★

So that's it! If you recommend other places too, hit me up and leave a comment below! Would love to hear your thoughts.

*Photos for Generator Amsterdam, St. Christopher's Inn Barcelona, and A&O Salzburg are from Agoda. Photos for Hostel Delft by me.