Hostelites veedavad tavapäraselt aega mitmed erinevad rahvused, mistõttu pakuvad taolised majutusasutused lisaks öömajale ka meeleolukaid sotsiaalseid võimalusi.
Normally, hostels offer facilities such as fully-equipped shared kitchens and dining areas, laundry rooms, social gathering spaces, etc. Additionally, because the environment is much more laid-back and collaborative, the hostel itself often hosts parties and organizes tours around the area with guests. Most of the time, these tours are not just to well-known touristic points, but bring you to more off-the-beaten-track places only known to the locals.