Now in their third year, the Awards for Excellence recognise HostelBookers’ top accommodation from 2011.

Thank you to all our customers who have taken the time to review their property stay. Your feedback and ratings offer travellers an invaluable insight into our properties and also help us to establish the winners in our Awards for Excellence.

Check out the most popular properties from 2011 below!

Best Accommodation 2012

THE AWARD CATEGORIES EXPLAINED:

TOP THREE ACCOMMODATIONS

Awarded to the top three properties on each continent that received the highest overall customer rating.

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AWARD FOR CLEANLINESS

Awarded to three properties on each continent that received the highest customer rating for ‘cleanliness’.

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BEST VALUE CHEAP HOTELS

Awarded to the three hotels on each continent that received the highest customer rating for ‘value’.

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BEST LOCATION

Awarded to the three properties on each continent that received the highest customer rating for ‘location’.

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BEST ATMOSPHERE

Awarded to the three properties on each continent that received the highest customer rating for ‘atmosphere’.

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BEST STAFF

Awarded to the three properties on each continent that received the highest customer rating for ‘staff’.

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MOST POPULAR

Awarded to the three properties on each continent that received the highest number of bookings made through HostelBookers.

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BEST NEWCOMERS

Awarded to 2 properties on each continent that opened in 2011 and received the highest overall customer ratings.

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BEST FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

Awarded to one property on each continent that received the highest overall customer rating in the ‘alone’ traveller type category.

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BEST FOR COUPLES

Awarded to one property on each continent that received the highest overall customer rating in the ‘with my spouse/partner’ traveller type category.

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BEST FOR FAMILIES

Awarded to one property on each continent that received the highest overall customer rating in the ‘as a family’ traveller type category.

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GROUP RECOGNITION

Awarded to the 6 properties that received the highest overall customer rating in the ‘as a family’ traveller type category.

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TOP PARTY HOSTELS

Awarded to five properties that have a great party atmosphere, as voted for by our Facebook fans.

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Visit the HostelBookers blog for more information about our Awards for Excellence and find out what makes these properties the best around.


  • A minimum of 25 reviews received in 2011 is required to be considered for an award.
  • The winners are chosen based on the highest rating achieved in each category.
  • Properties are only eligible to win one award. If a property qualifies in more than one category, they will be allocated the award for which they received the highest rating.
  • HostelBookers’ decision is final.

TOP THREE ACCOMMODATIONS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Dar Hafsa Fes, Morocco 98.0% 98.5% Book Now
Riad Khabia Marrakech, Morocco 97.6% 99.0% Book Now
Riad Verus Fes, Morocco 97.1% 94.1% Book Now

ASIA
NapPark Hostel @ Khao San Bangkok, Thailand 95.0% 97.4% Book Now
Refill Now! Hostel Bangkok, Thailand 94.2% 91.1% Book Now
The Jade Emu International Guesthouse Dali, China 97.3% 96.6% Book Now

EUROPE
Grand Hostel Berlin Berlin, Germany 95.5% 94.5% Book Now
Greg&Tom Krakow, Poland 98.0% 98.4% Book Now
Travellers House Lisbon, Portugal 98.6% 97.9% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
City Hostel Seattle Seattle, USA 92.4% 90.7% Book Now
Green Tortoise Hostel Seattle, USA 93.3% 92.0% Book Now
USA Hostels San Diego San Diego, USA 94.5% 92.9% Book Now

OCEANIA
Blue Parrot Backpackers Sydney, Australia 93.2% 90.6% Book Now
Sydney Harbour YHA Sydney, Australia 92.5% 91.0% Book Now
Travellers Oasis Cairns, Australia 94.6% 92.0% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Hostel Way2Go Florianopolis, Brazil 98.6% 95.4% Book Now
Ritoque Raices Valparaiso, Chile 97.7% 96.7% Book Now
Submarino Hostel Florianopolis, Brazil 99.0% 94.9% Book Now

AWARD FOR CLEANLINESS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Cleanliness  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Atlantic Point Backpackers Cape Town, South Africa 96.1% 94.4% Book Now
Equity Point Marrakech Marrakech, Morocco 92.8% 91.2% Book Now
Riad Baraka Chefchaouen, Morocco 98.5% 96.0% Book Now

ASIA
Backpackers Hostel K's House Hiroshima Hiroshima, Japan 99.2% 98.4% Book Now
K's House Tokyo Tokyo, Japan 99.2% 92.8% Book Now
Udee Bangkok Bangkok, Thailand 100.0% 97.6% Book Now

EUROPE
Alla Vite Dorata Venice, Italy 99.6% 100.0% Book Now
Axor Feria Hotel Madrid, Spain 100.0% 98.4% Book Now
Maison de Julie Rome, Italy 100.0% 94.4% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
AAE Seattle 6 Avenue Seattle, USA 96.4% 92.8% Book Now
Hostel Don Nino Oaxaca, Mexico 97.7% 99.2% Book Now
Montreal Central Montreal, Canada 94.8% 95.2% Book Now

OCEANIA
Civic Guest House Backpackers Hostel Townsville, Australia 96.2% 98.4% Book Now
Noosa Flashpackers Noosa, Australia 97.5% 98.4% Book Now
The Friendly Hostel Hervey Bay, Australia 95.6% 86.4% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Biergarten Hostel Ilha Grande, Brazil 99.5% 97.6% Book Now
Casa Vana Havana, Cuba 100.0% 100.0% Book Now
Hotel Iberia Montevideo Montevideo, Uruguay 99.3% 99.2% Book Now

BEST VALUE CHEAP HOTELS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Value  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Arabian Nights hotel Cairo, Egypt 96.2% 95.2% Book Now
Cleopatra Hotel Luxor Luxor, Egypt 100.0% 100.0% Book Now
Hotel Sindibad Agadir, Morocco 90.4% 88.8% Book Now

ASIA
Aonang Goodwill Krabi, Thailand 94.8% 98.4% Book Now
Golden Mango Inn Siem Reap, Cambodia 98.0% 96.8% Book Now
Sai Gon Sports 2 Hotel Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 96.1% 86.4% Book Now

EUROPE
Hotel Riviera Venice, Italy 96.5% 98.4% Book Now
Little Town Prague, Czech Republic 95.1% 96.8% Book Now
Stelios Place at Perissa Beach Santorini Island, Greece 98.9% 100.0% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
AAE Casino Hotel Wild West Las Vegas Las Vegas, USA 89.2% 89.6% Book Now
Soberanis Hotel & Hostel Cancun, Mexico 92.7% 88.0% Book Now
The Ritz Milner Hotel Los Angeles, USA 83.3% 85.6% Book Now

OCEANIA
Astray Motel And Backpackers Rotorua, New Zealand 91.4% 88.8% Book Now
City Centre Budget Hotel Melbourne, Australia 95.3% 85.6% Book Now
Whitsunday On The Beach Airlie Beach, Australia 84.6% 80.0% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Camino Real Turistico Hotel Puno, Peru 92.1% 92.8% Book Now
Casa de Avila Hotel Arequipa, Peru 91.6% 96.8% Book Now
Pousada Guarana Paraty, Brazil 100.0% 95.2% Book Now

BEST LOCATION

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Location  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Alexander Hostel Cairo, Egypt 97.9% 96.0% Book Now
Djemaa El Fna Hotel Cecil Marrakech, Morocco 98.4% 98.4% Book Now
Eilat Youth Hostel & Guest House Eilat, Israel 96.8% 93.6% Book Now

ASIA
Prince 79 Hotel Hanoi, Vietnam 100.0% 93.6% Book Now
Qianmen Hostel Beijing, China 99.5% 93.6% Book Now
Yamen Hostel Pingyao, China 100.0% 97.6% Book Now

EUROPE
Chillton 2 Belgrade, Serbia 99.6% 100.0% Book Now
Mama's Hostel- Main Market Square Krakow, Poland 99.3% 96.0% Book Now
Sevilla Inn Backpackers Seville, Spain 99.3% 98.4% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Auberge Internationale de Québec Hi-Québec Quebec City, Canada 98.1% 97.6% Book Now
Hollywood Youth Hostel Los Angeles, USA 98.1% 96.0% Book Now
Times Square Dream Apartments New York City, USA 98.7% 99.2% Book Now

OCEANIA
Montrose Backpackers Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand 98.1% 96.0% Book Now
Nomads Byron Bay Byron Bay, Australia 96.7% 97.6% Book Now
Nomads Queenstown Queenstown, New Zealand 98.0% 98.4% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Bellavista Hostel Santiago, Chile 98.0% 96.0% Book Now
Ecopackers Cusco, Peru 98.4% 99.2% Book Now
Hostal Emalafquen Pucon, Chile 99.4% 97.6% Book Now

BEST ATMOSPHERE

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Atmosphere  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Dar Houdou Fes, Morocco 95.0% 97.6% Book Now
Hostel Riad Mama Marrakech Marrakech, Morocco 94.9% 92.0% Book Now
Hostel Riad Marrakech Rouge Marrakech, Morocco 95.3% 99.2% Book Now

ASIA
Mushroom Point Sihanoukville, Cambodia 98.7% 94.4% Book Now
The House Hostel Sokcho Kangwon-do, South Korea 98.1% 98.4% Book Now
The Island Hotel Bali Bali, Indonesia 99.5% 91.2% Book Now

EUROPE
Lisboa Central Hostel Lisbon, Portugal 98.2% 99.2% Book Now
Makuto Backpackers Hostel Granada, Spain 97.6% 99.2% Book Now
The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Riga, Latvia 97.4% 96.8% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Chicago Getaway Hostel Chicago, USA 93.5% 90.4% Book Now
Green Tortoise Backpackers Guesthouse San Francisco, USA 94.4% 88.8% Book Now
Hostel Quetzal Cancun, Mexico 95.4% 91.2% Book Now

OCEANIA
Adventure Queenstown Hostel Queenstown, New Zealand 93.9% 98.4% Book Now
Calypso Inn Backpackers Resort Cairns, Australia 94.3% 86.4% Book Now
Ozzie Pozzie Backpackers/Port Macquarie YHA Port Macquarie, Australia 94.4% 92.0% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Anandamayi Hostel and Hotel Bogota, Colombia 97.2% 95.2% Book Now
Barra Beach Club - Oceanfront Hostel Florianopolis, Brazil 97.7% 98.4% Book Now
The Princesa Insolente Hostel Santiago, Chile 98.8% 94.4% Book Now

BEST STAFF

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Staff  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Boomerang Hotel Luxor, Egypt 99.4% 97.6% Book Now
Hostel Brothers Cairo, Egypt 99.0% 97.6% Book Now
Riad Attouyour Marrakech, Morocco 98.2% 97.6% Book Now

ASIA
Bich Duyen Hotel Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 88.4% 96.8% Book Now
Hanoi Guesthouse Hanoi, Vietnam 100.0% 98.4% Book Now
Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel Bangkok, Thailand 99.2% 92.8% Book Now

EUROPE
Cinnamon Sally Backpackers Hostel Riga, Latvia 99.6% 95.2% Book Now
Hostel One Paralelo Barcelona, Spain 99.8% 100.0% Book Now
Kipps Hostel Brighton Brighton, England 99.5% 96.0% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Duo Hostel Los Angeles, USA 98.1% 96.0% Book Now
HI - Montreal Montreal, Canada 97.7% 88.8% Book Now
USA Hostels San Francisco San Francisco, USA 95.2% 88.0% Book Now

OCEANIA
Birdsong Backpackers Hokitika, New Zealand 97.9% 99.2% Book Now
Dreamtime Travellers Rest Cairns, Australia 96.9% 100.0% Book Now
JJ's Backpackers Hostel Cairns, Australia 96.6% 98.4% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
El Tuco Hostel Cusco, Peru 99.2% 98.4% Book Now
Hospedaje Lautaro El Calafate, Argentina 99.7% 100.0% Book Now
Mi Casa Arequipa, Peru 99.3% 100.0% Book Now

MOST POPULAR

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Hotel Central Casablanca, Morocco - 75.3% Book Now
Riad Madina Mayurqa Marrakech, Morocco - 85.7% Book Now
Riad So Cheap So Chic Marrakech, Morocco - 85.8% Book Now

ASIA
Kuldeep Friends Hostel New Delhi, India - 71.2% Book Now
River City Inn Singapore, Singapore - 95.5% Book Now
Roof View Place Bangkok, Thailand - 82.9% Book Now

EUROPE
Clink78 London, England - 85.3% Book Now
Generator Hostel London London, England - 72.6% Book Now
PLUS Berlin Berlin, Germany - 90.1% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Hostelling International - New York New York City, USA - 89.7% Book Now
Jazz on Amsterdam Ave New York City, USA - 71.0% Book Now
Miami Beach International Travelers Hostel Miami, USA - 81.5% Book Now

OCEANIA
Base Brisbane - Central Brisbane, Australia - 65.3% Book Now
Nomads Auckland Backpackers Auckland, New Zealand - 81.9% Book Now
Wake Up Hostel Sydney, Australia - 86.3% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
America del Sur Hostel – El Calafate El Calafate, Argentina - 91.0% Book Now
El Misti Hostel Copacabana Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - 80.6% Book Now
Timbo Posada Puerto Iguazu, Argentina - 89.8% Book Now

BEST NEWCOMERS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Abraham Hostel Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel - 91.8% Book Now
Mesho Inn hostel Cairo, Egypt - 96.1% Book Now

ASIA
Khaosan Baan Thai Bangkok, Thailand - 92.3% Book Now
Reggae Mansion Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - 94.2% Book Now

EUROPE
Gallery Hostel Porto, Portugal - 99.2% Book Now
Generator Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark - 90.2% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown Mexico City, Mexico - 90.2% Book Now
Mayan Hostel Cancun, Mexico - 79.8% Book Now

OCEANIA
Flashpackers Hervey Bay Hervey Bay, Australia - 92.6% Book Now
Jackaroo Hostel Kings Cross Sydney, Australia - 81.3% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Beny’s house B&B Matanza Varadero, Cuba - 95.2% Book Now
The Wandering Paisa Backpackers Hostel Medellin, Colombia - 94.3% Book Now

BEST FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Hola Cairo Cairo, Egypt - 94.1% Book Now

ASIA
Come Inn Seoul, South Korea - 95.5% Book Now

EUROPE
Living Lounge Hostel Lisbon, Portugal - 98.6% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Hotel 31 New York City, USA - 86.4% Book Now

OCEANIA
Bounce Sydney Sydney, Australia - 94.4% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Link Hostels Lima, Peru - 91.4% Book Now

BEST FOR COUPLES

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Riad Lakhdar Marrakech, Morocco - 93.3% Book Now

ASIA
Krishna Palace Jaipur, India - 85.5% Book Now

EUROPE
Villa Manos Santorini Island, Greece - 97.3% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
The Sohotel New York City, USA - 88.5% Book Now

OCEANIA
Globetrotters International Cairns, Australia - 86.4% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
La Casa de los Pinguinos Arequipa, Peru - 97.4% Book Now

BEST FOR FAMILIES

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Overall Rating  

ASIA
Sai Gon Sports 3 Hotel Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - 90.3% Book Now

EUROPE
Deco Hostel Krakow, Poland - 91.3% Book Now
Hostel Ruthensteiner Vienna, Austria - 95.1% Book Now
Pensao Royal Lisbon, Portugal - 99.0% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
SameSun Venice Beach Los Angeles, USA - 81.8% Book Now

OCEANIA
Space Hotel Melbourne, Australia - 90.2% Book Now

GROUP RECOGNITION

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Overall Rating  

EUROPE
Barcelona Central Garden Hostel Barcelona, Spain - 99.1% Book Now
Happyhostel Budapest, Hungary - 97.3% Book Now
Hostel Van Gogh Amsterdam, Netherlands - 84.0% Book Now
Metropol Hostel Berlin Berlin, Germany - 84.3% Book Now
Smart Russell Square London, England - 71.4% Book Now

TOP PARTY HOSTELS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2011 Rating Overall Rating  

EUROPE
Greg &Tom Party Hostel Krakow, Poland - 97.9% Book Now
Hostel One Paralelo Barcelona, Spain 99.8% 100.0% Book Now
Porto Spot Hostel Porto, Portugal - 96.3% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Hostelling International - New York New York City, USA - 89.7% Book Now

OCEANIA
Blue Parrot Backpackers Sydney, Australia 93.2% 90.6% Book Now