more than a competition
a celebration
of our shared values,
collective excellence and
the spirit that makes hostels
the heart and soul of travel.
Famous Hostels Awards
Honoring the Trailblazers, Dream Makers, and Memory Creators of the Hostel World.
As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, Famous Hostels is proud to launch the first-ever Famous Hostels Awards, recognizing excellence, creativity, and commitment across our unique and diverse network. From social atmosphere to space design, community impact to reputation building, our first awards ceremony will shine a light on the hostels and teams who go above and beyond in delivering outstanding experiences.
These awards are not just about recognizing the best — they’re about celebrating who we are, what we stand for, and how we shape the future of travel.
2025 Hostel Award categories - Meet the finalists
Not Just Awards — A Tribute to Hostel GreatnessFrom social vibes to smart spaces, we’re celebrating what makes us iconic.
🧭 The Connector – Most Social Famous Hostel
Sponsored by Hostelworld
Being social isn’t just about throwing a great party (though let’s be honest, that definitely helps) — it’s about sparking those unforgettable connections that make hostel life so special. The hostels on this shortlist smashed it on both fronts. From loading up the Hostelworld platform with creative linkups, to packing out events with buzzing energy and real interaction, they’ve set the bar sky-high. These guys aren’t just running hostels, they’re building the kind of connections that make travellers’ stories worth telling.
Finalists:
How will the finalist be selected? Hostelworld will continue monitoring these five hostels and will select the final winner by September 25th. The winning hostel will be announced at our closing ceremony in Ibiza on the 26th.
🧱 Space Hacker – Best Real Estate Optimization
Sponsored by Bounce
🌟 Comeback Kid – Best Reputation Improvement
Sponsored by MARA Solutions
The Comeback kid award celebrates the hostels that excel at connecting with their guests online. Finalists are ranked based on three key metrics:
- Overall Rating (across Google, Tripadvisor, Booking, and Hostelworld)
– 50% - Reviews per Bed – 25%
- Response Rate – 25%
Each EFH member hostel is scored on these metrics, and the combined results determine the top finalists.
- Latroupe La Granja
- Retroverse Hostel & Whole Wide World Hostel & Bar (Same score)
- Capsule hotel – chapter lucerne
- Latroupe Grand Place Hostel & Bogentrakt (Same score)
👥 Live Your Life Award – Best Human Resources Program
Sponsored by St. Christopher’s Inn
The finalists were selected based on their impact on retention, satisfaction, and professional growth. These hostels aren’t just creating teams; they’re shaping the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Finalists:
How will the winner be selected? A dedicated jury — the HR Team at St. Christopher’s Inn, Vinicius Alkmim (Famous Hostels), and a third jury member — will select the final winner based on impact in retention, satisfaction, and professional growth. The winning hostel will be revealed at our closing ceremony in Ibiza on the 26th.
🌍 Biggest Industry Contribution
Sponsored by Cloudbeds
Over the past 30 years, these hostels have helped shape the travel industry with creativity, camaraderie, and relentless passion. This award celebrates a hostel whose legacy, resilience, and contributions stand above the rest — the kind of place that has left an indelible mark on travelers and the wider hostel community.
The finalists were selected by the Cloudbeds team, and will be voted by the EFH members voting during our AGM:
How will the Winner be selected? Famous Hostels members will vote for the final winner during the AGM in Ibiza, and the winning hostel will be announced at our closing ceremony on the 26th.