Now in their fourth year, the Awards for Excellence recognise HostelBookers’ top accommodations from 2012.

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 accommodation and also help us to establish the winners in our Awards for Excellence.

Check out the most popular accommodation from 2012 below!

Best Accommodation 2013

THE AWARD CATEGORIES EXPLAINED:

TOP THREE ACCOMMODATIONS

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

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AWARD FOR CLEANLINESS

Awarded to three accommodations 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 ATMOSPHERE

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

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BEST STAFF

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

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MOST POPULAR

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

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BEST NEWCOMERS

Awarded to two accommodations on each continent that opened in 2012 and received the highest overall customer ratings.

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BEST FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

Awarded to one accommodation 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 the accommodation 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 the seven accommodations that received the highest overall customer rating in the ‘as a family’ traveller type category.

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GROUP RECOGNITION

Awarded to five accommodations that have demonstrated outstanding service to our Group Travel Team.

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BEST CHAINS

Awarded to the three chains that received the highest combination of bookings and customer rating averaged across all their accommodations.

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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 2012 is required to be considered for an award.
  • The winners are chosen based on the highest rating achieved in each category.
  • Accommodations are only eligible to win one award. If an accommodation qualifies in more than one category, they will be allocated the award for which they received the highest rating.
  • Chains need to have a minimum of three accommodations under the same brand name to be considered a chain.
  • HostelBookers’ decision is final.

TOP THREE ACCOMMODATIONS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Hostel Riad Fantasia Marrakech, Morocco 98.1% 94.5% Book Now
Riad Layla Rouge Marrakech, Morocco 97.2% 98.5% Book Now
Riad Verus Fes, Morocco 97.3% 95.4% Book Now

ASIA
Pak-Up Hostel Krabi, Thailand 95.4% 91.9% Book Now
Smile Society Bangkok, Thailand 96.5% 95.2% Book Now
Xingping This Old Place International Youth Hostel Yangshuo, China 97.7% 97.4% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Greg&Tom Krakow, Poland 97.7% 98.4% Book Now
The MadHouse Prague Prague, Czech Republic 98.5% 96.1% Book Now
The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Riga, Latvia 97.0% 97.5% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Chicago Getaway Hostel Chicago, USA 94.1% 90.7% Book Now
HI-Chicago Chicago, USA 92.5% 92.9% Book Now
Planet Traveler Toronto, Canada 96.0% 92.5% Book Now

OCEANIA
Adventure Queenstown Hostel Queenstown, New Zealand 98.2% 98.7% Book Now
Flashpackers Hervey Bay Hervey Bay, Australia 94.8% 92.6% Book Now
Travellers Oasis Cairns, Australia 95.4% 92.7% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
America del Sur Hostel Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina 92.6% 93.3% Book Now
Ecopackers Cusco, Peru 93.9% 93.8% Book Now
Pariwana Backpacker Cusco Cusco, Peru 95.1% 93.5% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Barcelona Central Garden Hostel Barcelona, Spain 97.8% 99.0% Book Now
Lisbon Destination Hostel Lisbon, Portugal 98.7% 97.7% Book Now
Porto Spot Hostel Porto, Portugal 98.4% 96.7% Book Now

AWARD FOR CLEANLINESS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Cleanliness  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Freedom Hostel Cairo, Egypt 97.1% 96.8% Book Now
Hola Cairo Cairo, Egypt 95.8% 95.2% Book Now
Port Inn Haifa, Israel 94.6% 94.4% Book Now

ASIA
Lub d Bangkok - Silom Bangkok, Thailand 99.3% 92.0% Book Now
The Jade Emu International Guesthouse Dali, China 98.8% 96.0% Book Now
The May De Ville Backpackers Hostel Hanoi, Vietnam 99.0% 96.8% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Little Big House Thessaloniki, Greece 99.6% 100.0% Book Now
Red Door Hostel Belgrade, Serbia 100.0% 99.2% Book Now
Wombats City Hostel Budapest Budapest, Hungary 97.1% 92.8% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Casa Angel Youth Hostel Oaxaca, Mexico 99.0% 97.6% Book Now
Hostel Don Nino Oaxaca, Mexico 98.2% 99.2% Book Now
Wanderfalls Guesthouse & Hostel Niagara Falls, USA 97.8% 96.8% Book Now

OCEANIA
Bounce Sydney Sydney, Australia 96.5% 96.8% Book Now
Brisbane City YHA Brisbane, Australia 94.1% 88.8% Book Now
Civic Guest House Backpackers Hostel Townsville, Australia 95.4% 99.2% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Castillo Surfista Hostel Santiago, Chile 97.2% 95.2% Book Now
Hostal Campo Base San Pedro de Atacama, Chile 100.0% 98.4% Book Now
Hostel Nomadas Backpackers San Jose, Costa Rica 98.3% 93.6% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof Interlaken, Switzerland 97.6% 98.4% Book Now
EastSeven Berlin Hostel Berlin, Germany 98.2% 99.2% Book Now
Granada Inn Backpackers Granada, Spain 98.0% 97.6% Book Now

BEST VALUE CHEAP HOTELS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Value  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Dar El Yasmine Fes, Morocco 93.1% 88.8% Book Now
Egyptian Night Hotel Cairo, Egypt 92.8% 92.8% Book Now
Saba'a Hotel Petra, Jordan 92.8% 94.4% Book Now

ASIA
Advisor Angkor Villa Siem Reap Siem Reap, Cambodia 95.2% 92.8% Book Now
Bich Duyen Hotel Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 98.0% 96.0% Book Now
Red Inn Court Penang, Malaysia 95.9% 96.8% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Aristoteles Hotel Athens, Greece 95.6% 95.2% Book Now
FusionPrague Prague, Czech Republic 95.6% 99.2% Book Now
Villa Manos Santorini Island, Greece 98.0% 98.4% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
AAE Casino Hotel Wild West Las Vegas Las Vegas, USA 94.5% 89.6% Book Now
Hotel 31 New York City, USA 88.7% 84.0% Book Now
The Sohotel New York City, USA 82.0% 83.2% Book Now

OCEANIA
Byron Beach Resort Byron Bay, Australia 79.6% 89.6% Book Now
Hotel Claremont Guest House Melbourne, Australia 86.8% 90.4% Book Now
Wailoaloa Beach Resort Fiji Nadi, Fiji 96.0% 96.0% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Bananas Hotel Huacachina, Peru 82.7% 79.2% Book Now
Hotel Utama Copacabana, Bolivia 85.4% 76.8% Book Now
Hotel Villa Colonial Cartagena, Colombia 83.1% 82.4% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Hotel Benvenuti Florence, Italy 96.8% 94.4% Book Now
MEININGER Hotel Berlin Hauptbahnhof Berlin, Germany 91.4% 92.8% Book Now
Superbude Hotel Hostel St. Pauli Hamburg, Germany 95.6% 94.4% Book Now

BEST ATMOSPHERE

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Atmosphere  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Atlantic Point Backpackers Cape Town, South Africa 94.1% 92.0% Book Now
Florentine Hostel Tel Aviv, Israel 92.7% 97.6% Book Now
Hostel Waka Waka Marrakech, Morocco 98.4% 96.8% Book Now

ASIA
Fly by Knight Courtyard Beijing, China 98.5% 95.2% Book Now
Peking Yard Hostel Beijing, China 97.3% 96.8% Book Now
Spicypai Backpackers Pai, Thailand 99.4% 96.0% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Atilla's Getaway - Travellers Resort Selcuk, Turkey 99.3% 96.0% Book Now
Hostel Krumlov House Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic 98.8% 99.2% Book Now
The House Hostel Zagreb, Croatia 98.4% 96.8% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Green Tortoise Backpackers Guesthouse San Francisco, USA 93.7% 88.8% Book Now
Nomadas Hostel Merida, Mexico 94.6% 90.4% Book Now
Urban Holiday Lofts Chicago, USA 92.5% 93.6% Book Now

OCEANIA
Arts Factory Lodge Byron Bay, Australia 94.2% 88.8% Book Now
Dreamtime Travellers Rest Cairns, Australia 97.5% 94.4% Book Now
Noosa Flashpackers Noosa, Australia 96.5% 96.0% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Art Factory Buenos Aires, Argentina 90.1% 86.4% Book Now
Puerto Limon Hostel Buenos Aires, Argentina 92.0% 91.2% Book Now
Wild Rover Backpackers Hostel La Paz, Bolivia 92.6% 87.2% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Alfama Patio Hostel Lisbon, Portugal 99.2% 95.2% Book Now
Ostello Bello Milan, Italy 99.0% 99.2% Book Now
Travellers House Lisbon, Portugal 99.0% 99.2% Book Now

BEST STAFF

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Staff  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Dar Houdou Fes, Morocco 99.4% 99.2% Book Now
Milano Hostel Cairo, Egypt 100.0% 96.0% Book Now
Rainbow Marrakech Marrakech, Morocco 99.2% 96.8% Book Now

ASIA
Ananas Phuket Hostels Phuket, Thailand 99.3% 97.6% Book Now
Matchbox The Concept Hostel Singapore, Singapore 98.2% 94.4% Book Now
Wada Hostel in Guilin Guilin, China 98.4% 100.0% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Hostel Blues Bratislava, Slovakia 98.0% 96.8% Book Now
Hostel One Prague Prague, Czech Republic 98.1% 98.4% Book Now
Tchaikovsky Hostel Split Split, Croatia 99.1% 100.0% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Hostel Quetzal Cancun, Mexico 97.4% 94.4% Book Now
SameSun Backpacker Lodges - Vancouver Vancouver, Canada 93.7% 89.6% Book Now
USA Hostels San Francisco San Francisco, USA 94.7% 88.0% Book Now

OCEANIA
Blue Parrot Backpackers Sydney, Australia 98.5% 96.8% Book Now
JJ's Backpackers Hostel Cairns, Australia 98.2% 98.4% Book Now
Ponsonby Backpackers Auckland, New Zealand 97.0% 97.6% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Bossa in Rio Hostel Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 98.9% 93.6% Book Now
Hostal Colonial Las Margaritas Trinidad, Cuba 100.0% 100.0% Book Now
Rolando´s Backpacker Havana, Cuba 97.4% 98.4% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Grand Hostel Berlin Berlin, Germany 98.3% 97.6% Book Now
Hostel One Paralelo Barcelona, Spain 99.6% 100.0% Book Now
The Walrus Waterloo London, England 98.2% 100.0% Book Now

MOST POPULAR

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Abraham Hostel Jerusalem Jerusalem, Israel 92.4% 92.5% Book Now
Djemaa El Fna Hotel Cecil Marrakech, Morocco 86.5% 91.8% Book Now
Hostel Riad Marrakech Rouge Marrakech, Morocco 97.5% 98.1% Book Now

ASIA
NapPark Hostel @ Khao San Bangkok, Thailand 95.9% 97.3% Book Now
Reggae Mansion Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 93.2% 94.2% Book Now
River City Inn Singapore, Singapore 96.3% 95.5% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Athens Backpackers Athens, Greece 92.4% 88.0% Book Now
Czech Inn Prague, Czech Republic 91.5% 91.5% Book Now
St. Christopher's at the Mosaic House Prague, Czech Republic 92.2% 89.9% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
City Hostel Seattle Seattle, USA 93.0% 92.1% Book Now
Miami Beach International Travelers Hostel Miami, USA 86.7% 80.6% Book Now
San Francisco International Hostel San Francisco, USA 83.0% 77.7% Book Now

OCEANIA
Discovery Melbourne (formerly Hotel Discovery) Melbourne, Australia 81.6% 72.8% Book Now
Nomads Auckland Backpackers Auckland, New Zealand 82.2% 80.2% Book Now
Wake Up Hostel Sydney, Australia 86.5% 86.3% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
America del Sur Hostel – El Calafate El Calafate, Argentina 90.2% 90.4% Book Now
El Misti Hostel Copacabana Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 81.0% 80.6% Book Now
Milhouse Hostel Buenos Aires, Argentina 91.4% 88.5% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Clink78 London, England 83.8% 84.1% Book Now
Hostel Van Gogh Amsterdam, Netherlands 86.2% 84.0% Book Now
Inner Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands 78.4% 72.8% Book Now

BEST NEWCOMERS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Kif-Kif Marrakech Marrakech, Morocco 96.8% 91.0% Book Now
Riad Chez Lea (ex- Hostel Nari-Nari Marrakech) Marrakech, Morocco 98.3% 95.0% Book Now

ASIA
Han Tang Hostel Xian, China 92.2% 93.4% Book Now
Mojzo Inn Nha Trang, Vietnam 94.1% 94.9% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
City Circus Athens Athens, Greece 97.1% 96.0% Book Now
Soul Kitchen Junior hostel St Petersburg, Russia 98.7% 98.5% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Diplomatic Stay Washington, USA 92.9% 83.9% Book Now
Hostelling International Boston - Chinatown Boston, USA 93.7% 96.5% Book Now

OCEANIA
Backpackers HQ Sydney, Australia 91.6% 87.8% Book Now
No14 Blue Mountains, Australia 97.0% 94.9% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Rado Hostel Santiago, Chile 95.2% 95.8% Book Now
Ukelele Hostel Montevideo, Uruguay 97.1% 92.2% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
ONE80 Hostel - Alexanderplatz Berlin, Germany 91.7% 92.6% Book Now
St Christopher's Barcelona Barcelona, Spain 94.0% 85.5% Book Now

BEST FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Trip and Friends Marrakech, Morocco 97.7% 96.0% Book Now

ASIA
Saphaipae Hostel Bangkok, Thailand 94.7% 90.2% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Arpacay Backpackers Hostel Prague, Czech Republic 92.1% 91.2% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Hostelling International - New York New York City, USA 88.0% 89.7% Book Now

OCEANIA
Habitat HQ Melbourne, Australia 87.5% 88.8% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Marlon's House In Puno Puno, Peru 89.9% 89.3% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Oasis Backpackers' Palace Sevilla Seville, Spain 92.7% 93.6% Book Now

BEST FOR COUPLES

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Riad Baraka Chefchaouen, Morocco 94.7% 90.6% Book Now

ASIA
Khaosan Baan Thai Bangkok, Thailand 95.4% 92.8% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Maverick Hostel & Ensuites Budapest, Hungary 95.3% 96.3% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Hostel Amigo Suites Downtown Mexico City, Mexico 89.8% 89.7% Book Now

OCEANIA
Globetrotters International Cairns, Australia 85.2% 88.2% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
El Tuco Hostel Cusco, Peru 94.2% 94.9% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Casa Gracia Barcelona Hostel Barcelona, Spain 93.2% 94.4% Book Now

BEST FOR FAMILIES

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Overall Rating  

AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Dar Hafsa Fes, Morocco 98.5% 98.7% Book Now

ASIA
Rainforest Bed And Breakfast Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 93.0% 84.2% Book Now

EASTERN EUROPE
Metropolis Hostel Istanbul, Turkey 94.7% 96.5% Book Now

NORTH AMERICA
Marrakech Hotel NYC New York City, USA 79.4% 83.2% Book Now

OCEANIA
Space Hotel Melbourne, Australia 89.1% 90.2% Book Now

SOUTH & CENTRAL AMERICA
Hostel Suites Florida Buenos Aires, Argentina 86.5% 87.9% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Urbany Hostel Barcelona Barcelona, Spain 90.1% 86.1% Book Now

GROUP RECOGNITION

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Overall Rating  

EASTERN EUROPE
Happyhostel Budapest, Hungary - 97.3% Book Now

WESTERN EUROPE
Hostel 7 Santi Florence, Italy - 81.9% Book Now
Hotel Rubino Rome, Italy - 69.8% Book Now
LENIN HOSTAL Barcelona, Spain - 80.9% Book Now
PangeaPeople Hostel & Hotel Berlin, Germany - 82.6% Book Now

BEST CHAINS

Back to Top Property Name Location 2012 Rating Overall Rating  

EQUITY POINT
Equity Point Centric Barcelona, Spain - 87.7% Book Now
Equity Point Girona Girona, Spain - 88.0% Book Now
Equity Point Gothic Barcelona, Spain - 81.7% Book Now
Equity Point Lisboa Lisbon, Portugal - 95.0% Book Now
Equity Point London London, England - 84.6% Book Now
Equity Point Madrid Madrid, Spain - 82.2% Book Now
Equity Point Marrakech Marrakech, Morocco - 91.7% Book Now
Equity Point New York @ Times Square New York City, USA - 85.7% Book Now
Equity Point Sea Barcelona, Spain - 83.5% Book Now

GENERATOR
Generator Berlin Berlin, Germany - 83.0% Book Now
Generator Berlin Mitte Berlin, Germany - - Book Now
Generator Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark - 90.5% Book Now
Generator Hostel Barcelona Barcelona, Spain - 97.9% Book Now
Generator Hostel Dublin Dublin, Ireland - 86.9% Book Now
Generator Hostel Hamburg Hamburg, Germany - 89.7% Book Now
Generator Hostel London London, England - 72.1% Book Now
Generator Hotel Barcelona Barcelona, Spain - - Book Now

PLUS
PLUS Berlin Berlin, Germany - 91.2% Book Now
PLUS Camping Jolly Venice, Italy - 80.9% Book Now
PLUS Camping Michelangelo Florence, Italy - 83.8% Book Now
PLUS Camping Roma Rome, Italy - 85.1% Book Now
Plus Florence Florence, Italy - 84.0% Book Now
PLUS Prague Hostel Prague, Czech Republic - 83.0% Book Now