Unveiling the unexpected: the modern face of Luxembourg's youth hostels

Read time: 8 minutes

In the vast landscape of travel and lodging, misconceptions often loom large, and youth hostels are no stranger to these. Yet, the contemporary reality of youth hostels, especially those nestled in the heart of Luxembourg, is a far cry from these antiquated views. Let's embark on an enlightening journey to dismantle these myths and illuminate the dynamic, inviting, and vibrant universe of today's youth hostels.

Youth hostels have huge twenty-bed dormitories with limited privacy and shared bathroom facilities.

That's not quite right, you'll find that most of our hostels have 3 to 6 bedded rooms. And for those who value their personal space, we offer the option of booking private or single rooms for a small supplement, ensuring that all guests' privacy preferences are met. As for bathroom facilities, most rooms have an ensuite shower and toilet. The few rooms without en-suite facilities have shower and toilet on the same floor.

Youthhostels offer basic facilities and lack comfort

These are other typical stereotypes we aim to dispel. All our facilities are regularly inspected and replaced if they do not meet our high standards. We strive to provide our guests with the utmost in comfort, with free WiFi and clean, modern communal areas. Communal kitchens are now a thing of the past, today we have professional staff to prepare delicious meals for you in our Melting Pot restaurants.
From large indoor playgrounds to a bowling alley as well as an indoor climbing wall in Echternach, we offer a wide variety of outstanding facilities for everyone's liking. In fact, four of our hostels are equipped to accommodate our guests in wheelchairs. Have a look here.

There is a 10pm curfew and the hostel is run by hostel parents.

Not anymore. Hostels are now run by professionals who have attended hospitality schools as well as a hostel manager. We have no such thing as a curfew. Our guests have access cards so they can come and go as they please.

In order to book a stay at a youth hostel, you must be a member and under the age of 28.

Age restrictions and compulsory membership are other stereotypes often associated with youth hostels. However, there are no age limits for staying at a hostel in Luxembourg. We welcome guests of all ages. And if you want to stay with us but aren't yet a member, you can become one for the duration of your stay. So membership is not really necessary to book any of our events or activities. For example, if you want to enjoy a delicious meal in one of our Melting Pots or book our catering service, you can do so without being a member.
But if you want to save money and pay less for our services and events, you should become a member here. When you become a member of our global community, you not only support youth hostels, you also benefit from different advantages worldwide.

The food is very basic and often tastes bad.

All our hostels have their own Melting Pot restaurant with modern kitchens run by professional chefs. Your health is our priority! We mainly use local, fair trade and organic produce. We respect the seasons when creating our dishes and avoid wasting food by adjusting the portions served. You will also find vegetarian dishes and you can choose from daily menus or “à la carte”. Did we mention that we produce our own honey, contributing to biodiversity?

Service and activities are pretty non-existent. Staying at a youth hostel, you sit around the campfire with stick bread…

The perception of limited services in youth hostels is another stereotype we aim to dispel. While we do not offer room service and guests are expected to make their own beds and clear their table, we do offer a wide range of services, activities and events. At weekends we are often fully booked with children's birthday parties and during the week our conference rooms are booked for seminars, team building and other events. We also cater all year round for corporate events, family reunions and social gatherings. Group menus, buffets, barbecues and coffee breaks, we have something for everyone!

To give you a snapshot of how our hostels have evolved, we invite you to watch this short video and discover past and present images of our hostels.

Cleanliness in youth hostels leaves much to be desired.

The outdated image of dirty rooms and common areas is a ghost from the past. Today, Luxembourg's youth hostels are carefully cleaned every day of the year, without exception. A dedicated team of technicians ensures that all hostels are not only well maintained but also regularly upgraded to provide a spotless and comfortable environment for all guests.

Youth hostels are very noisy!

The concept of shared living in youth hostels and young guests has often given rise to the stereotype of a noisy environment. This is far from the truth. While there may be some noise when large groups or schoolchildren are present, each hostel has strict quiet hours. Up until 10pm, the official quiet time, hostels are places where children and young people can let off steam. Not without limits, of course, but singing, running and laughing on the playground are not immediately regulated, as long as it does not get out of hand.

What many people probably don't know: Weekends and school holidays are surprisingly quiet as there are no school trips visiting us.

Youth hostels lack in security.

Last but not least, another stereotype often associated with youth hostels is that of safety. In fact, our hostels are located in safe areas and Luxembourg prides itself on being one of the safest countries in Europe and the world.
Concerns about the security of personal belongings due to shared accommodation are another stereotype associated with hostels. However, all our youth hostels have lockers with padlocks where guests can safely store their belongings.

We are committed to making our guests' stay as safe and comfortable as possible, with customer feedback playing a crucial role in our continuous improvement process.

To sum up, staying at a youth hostel in Luxembourg is not just about finding a place to sleep. It's about immersing yourself in a lively, welcoming community, taking part in exciting activities and exploring the charm of Luxembourg.

So remember, the next time you're planning your adventure, consider staying at a youth hostel and experience the reality behind the stereotypes. We are more than just beds!

Sanitary facilities and washrooms

Former youth hostel in Grevenmacher

Former youth hostel in Rodange

Former dining room

Former youth hostel in Clervaux

Sanitary facilities in a former youth hostel

Former common room