<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: What a marvelous tool for traveling the U.S. ... cheaply!
Review: As a prospective backpacker, I picked up this book hoping to find cheap lodgings along the way. What I found was an excellent resource, with accurate, witty (though sometimes too clever) assessments of the hostelling scene at each of the places reviewed. Though this guide isn't as comprehensive as others, I found it was the only one I ever really bothered to look at. After all, arriving in each new city, I wanted to know what I was going to be getting myself into before I checked in.Though I've considered lightening my pack by getting rid of everything from my underwear to other budget lodgings books, this is one weight I'll gladly carry.
Rating: 
Summary: Wittty, well-written guide to America's heartland
Review: Bravo to Mr. Halper and Mr. Karr for tackling a subject long ignored by American travel writers: youth hostels. Their intelligent, provocative guide gives readers more than just basic information and a standardized rating - they share their exciting, sometimes zany misadventures in a unique and witty voice. I would recommend this book strongly to any travel reader, regardless of whether they would stay in a hostel or not, and I look forward to the next offering Mr. Halper and Mr. Karr create.
Rating: 
Summary: Hostels USA, 3rd edition
Review: I brought a copy of Hostels USA with me last year during my cross country road trip. This hostel guide was my travel bible. I found the information in it to be current and accurate. Out of the 35 hostels that I stayed in during my trip, only 5 or 6 of them were not listed in Hostels USA. But there were more hostels listed in Hostel USA than there were listed in the "other" hostel guidebook that I brought with me. Hostels USA was my "life saver" many times! I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Not a better guide out there
Review: Seven months ago I decided to hop in my car and take off across the country...All I had was a duffel bag in the back seat and this book...You can't find a better guide to North American hostels. Most of their recommendations were right on. I just hope they come out with a 2001 version soon...
Rating: 
Summary: An update once a while would help...
Review: The authors update maybe 5-10% of the hostels, and with a 'Party Index' you can tell where their focus is. The best thing for hostels is online, www.hostelz.com with honest reviews by independent travelers and lots of comments.
Rating: 
Summary: What are you looking for in a hostel?
Review: The title is correct in stating that this book is opinionated. If you have opinions similar to the authors, this book will be of great help. Personally, I don't agree.
There is a hostel close to me which I visit occasionally. It's out in the woods, the middle of nowhere. It's great for quiet and solitude, and is surrounded by hiking trails. It was given 2.5 stars out of 5, because the house-parents are too strict (I've never found this to be the case. In fact, one didn't mind at all about an accidental mess, just as long as it was cleaned up.) and because "there's nothing to do". There seems to be an emphasis on "partying" which is something I have never expected at a hostel.
The factual information is accurate, and for that this book is useful. I just think there are better choices in a hostel guide.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Hostel book!
Review: This is the best guide for hostels I've seen. There are independent hostels and affiliated hostels listed. I'm going to bring the book to the Hostelling International USA conference this weekend and rave about this book!
<< 1 >>
| 
