A new breed of posh hostels—or "poshtels"—have begun appearing in the United States after gaining popularity in Europe. Far from the old image of hostels as rundown, cramped, and uncomfortable, poshtels from brands such as Freehand and Generator feel more like boutique hotels at super-cheap prices. Rates for shared rooms can be as low as $25 a night, with many properties offering private rooms as well as free WiFi, breakfast, planned activities, and sometimes even swimming pools. They tend to attract travelers in their 20s and early 30s drawn to the low prices as well as the sort of social interaction among people of diverse backgrounds that hostels promote.
