'Not what they used to be': Some of the world's best hostels are right here in Australia

When you think 'hostel', it's easy to conjure up some stereotypical images. 

Grungy backpackers, pub crawls, dorm rooms crammed with 12 beds and no floor space, and travellers who snore or keep their lights on all night. 

But honestly, hostels aren't quite what they used to be. Now they offer up things like infinity pools, beachfront hammocks, infrared saunas, and - most importantly - private rooms for a fraction of what a hotel room would cost. 

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More travellers - outside the classic gap year demographic - are turning to hostels as a cheaper way to travel.

And once you take a look at what's on offer at some of the world's top hostels, you'll see why. 

Hostelworld has released its annual list of the world's best hostels, based on over 7 million real-life reviews. 

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Among the winners is the beachfront Wake Up! Byron Bay, which features a resort-style pool, free yoga classes and surfboard rentals, a sauna and ice bath, and free shuttle service into town. 

While dorm rooms are on offer, you can also snag a private room that sleeps two for a fraction of the price of nearby hotels that offer the same amenities. 

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While hotels are often people's first choice for their reliability, they lack the charm and personality that you get in a hostel.

I once shared a private room with a friend at a hostel in Albania, where the owner's neighbour invited us into her kitchen to learn how to make byrek, a local pastry. Or the hostel I stayed at in Ghent, Belgium, where from my bed I had one of the best views in the city. Or the cottage-turned-hostel I visited in the Slovakian mountains, which had a loyal dog who would accompany guests on hikes. 

All of these cost me no more than $30 a night, and are far more memorable than the nights I spent in hotels while travelling. 

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One hostel that frequently makes Hostelworld's Best Of lists is Los Patios in Colombia, in particular for its social aspect. It offers themed floors, a rooftop bar with an organic herb garden (which you can use for your own cooking), a gym, and a Spanish school.

Or there's The Central House Marrakech Medina, with its courtyard pool just steps from the city's souks. Drifter Christchurch has taken out awards for its private rooms, which are stylish and chic in the heart of the city.

From on-site wineries in Santorini and indoor skate ramps in Spain to beachfront pools in Thailand and floating rooms in Colombia, there's really no end to the amenities.

Australian travellers are increasingly choosing to take solo trips. And that's not just people in their 20s and 30s.

Women over 50 are leading the solo travel boom, and Gen X and Baby Boomers are becoming more likely to take big, dream holidays.

For solo travellers, a private room in a hostel is great. Even if you don't explicitly want to meet strangers and make conversation, just sitting in the communal areas can be enough to keep you sane on the road. 

Events like communal dinners and walking city tours also offer a low-stakes way to mingle. 

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