9 spectacular design hostels

Giant luminous toadstools perched on the roof or 1950s ice-cream parlour decor; these are some of the most singular and stylish design hostels from around the world.

With Inn Hostel – Kaohsiung, Taiwan

The pastel hues and vintage furniture at With Inn Hostel give the entire building a nostalgic feel. Cute and eclectic touches include a chest of drawers full of succulents, a kitchen designed to look like a futuristic 1950s diner and a mural in the garden of a squirrel trimming the trailing vines.

Hektor Design Hostel – Tartu, Estonia

A lot of design hostels make good use of muted colours but Hektor Design Hostel has gone in the opposite direction, with a bright, lively palette of blues, yellows and reds. In theory such bright colours don’t typically create a restful experience, but the pops of colour contrast wonderfully with the pale wood walls and elegant Scandinavian-style furniture to create a fun yet peaceful atmosphere.

Mountain Hostel Tarter – Grandvalira, Andorra

The interior design at Mountain Hostel Tarter draws inspiration from the building’s snowy mountain surroundings, without compromising on cosiness. Natural materials and exposed stone walls mimic the alpine palette while strategically placed skylights give the impression of sleeping under the stars.

Wallyard Concept Hostel – Berlin, Germany

The Wallyard Concept Hostel defies its city-centre location by effortlessly mixing industrial interior design with touches of greenery and nature. Sprigs of berries in glass bottles decorate the dorm rooms, shelves of succulents and cacti add colour to the communal seating area, pale orchids sit on the window sills and artfully arranged wildflower blossoms dot the hostel cafe.

Mosaic House – Prague, Czech Republic

The gigantic luminous toadstools on the roof of Mosaic House make it easy to spot, no matter how deep into the twisting and turning Prague Old Town you wander. Inside, the hostel combines a minimalist aesthetic with eco-friendly design, with green accents complementing the monochrome furnishings.

Oxotel – Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Oxotel has taken a rather unusual theme and made it into something that belongs in an interior design magazine: cows. Yes, the hostel is covered in large, intricately detailed illustrations of cows, peeking around corners and perfectly complementing the natural wood furnishings and splashes of green (including an artificial ‘meadow’ in the communal area).

The Fort Boutique Hostel – York, UK

This vibrant hostel manages to combine a dozen different aesthetics into one cohesive design that showcases everything from street-art-inspired Jim Morrison murals to a minimalist wooden cabin-themed bedroom.

Spin Designer Hostel – El Nido, Philippines

Every room at Spin Designer Hostel has been give one statement wall in colours ranging from lilac to turquoise, creating a striking contrast to the sleek black furniture. It’s downstairs, however, where the careful design of this hostel really shines through as a winding pale staircase, reminiscent of giant shell, opens up into the communal seating area.

Sputnik Hostel & Personal Space – Moscow, Russia

The sleek monochrome interiors at Sputnik Hostel contrast with the exposed brick walls to create a surprisingly cosy atmosphere. The feeling that you’re in a (very, very stylish) home-from-home is enhanced by the open-plan communal kitchen where guests gather to chat and dip into the complimentary cookie jars.