Gaining a Hoscar might not sound like a big feat – unless, of course, you know what a Hoscar is. The award, now nine years in the running, is the top honor granted to hostels worldwide. Given by Hostelworld.com, the “Oscars of the Hostel World” chooses the best properties from among 25,000 hostels in more than 180 countries.
Hoscar winners are chosen based on their overall score in six categories – fun, cleanliness, staff, security, location and character – and were voted for by more than one million Hostelworld.com customers who booked their accommodation online and stayed in the properties in 2010.
The awards recognize the top hostels in a number of categories including the best hostels in each of the seven continents, the most improved and the top hostel chains. Several new categories were introduced this year including the top 10 Best Large and Small Hostels along with Best Seasonal Hostel, Best Hostel for Groups, New to Hostelworld and a Special Contribution and Lifetime Achievement Award.
While we at Gadling can’t personally vouch for these properties, we can say that an industry award based on user reviews seems to be a rousing positive. Next time you visit one of these properties, do remember to leave us your feedback in the comments section!
The winners include:
Best Hostels Worldwide
1. Travellers House – Lisbon
2. Lisbon Lounge Hostel – Lisbon
3. Living Lounge Hostel – Lisbon
Best USA Hostels
1. USA Hostels San Francisco – San Francisco
2. USA Hostels Hollywood – Los Angeles
3. HI Chicago – Chicago
4. Miami Beach International Hostel – Miami
5. Adelaide Hostel and Hotel – San Francisco
6. HI Washington DC – Washington DC
7. HI Boston Downtown – Boston
8. The New York Loft Hostel – New York
9. India House Backpackers Hostel – New Orleans
10. HI New York – New York
Best Hostels in North America
1. Montreal Central, Montreal
2. ACBB Hostel Niagara, Niagara Falls
3. USA Hostels San Francisco, San Francisco
Best Large Hostels Worldwide
1. Travellers House – Lisbon
2. Living Lounge Hostel – Lisbon
3. Yes! Lisbon Hostel – Lisbon
4. Hostel Mostel – Sofia
5. Friendly Fun Franks Backpackers Hostel – Riga
6. Montreal Central – Montreal
7. Han Tang Inn Youth Hostel – Xi’an
8. Home – Lisbon
9. EastSeven Berlin Hostel – Berlin
10. Castle Rock Hostel – Edinburgh
Best Small Hostels Worldwide
1. Lisbon Lounge Hostel – Lisbon
2. Rossio Hostel – Lisbon
3. Greg & Tom Hostel – Krakow
4. Academy Hostel – Florence
5. Rivoli Cinema Hostel – Porto
6. Hostel of the Sun – Naples
7. Oporto Poets Hostel – Porto
8. Oasis Backpackers Hostel Granada – Granada
9. BackHome Kuala Lumpar – Kuala Lumpur
10. Sant Jordi Diagonal Hostel – Barcelona