The Guardian

Top 10 of the smartest new hostels in Europe

Style and comfortable stays don’t come at too high a price in this selection of new hostels across Europe. From retro-chic design in Paris to eco-cred beds in Amsterdam, you can eat, sleep and meet without it costing the earth.

Blue Boutique Hostel & Suites
This new hostel scores top marks for location, overlooking the Atlantic in the seaside town of Estoril, and the lovely old pale blue villa that houses it. The common downstairs rooms feel more like a hotel than hostel, with stylish furniture and rugs, parquet floors and art objects artfully strewn about. The bedrooms are simpler: dorms are plain white with dashes of colour from the pastel pink, blue or green bunk beds and furniture; most of the doubles have private balconies with sea views and two are en suite. Estoril has an air of faded seaside glamour about it: this is where rich Lisbonites used to come to play on the beach and in the casinos. The beach is just over the road from the hostel and Lisbon is a 20-minute train journey away.

• Dorm beds from €14, doubles from €29 (shared bathroom).

The Guardian, June 29th, 2015