If I travel alone, I would like to choose a homestay or a local small family hotel. But if I travel with families, the big hotel is always the best choice. I always want to try the youth hostel where I believe we can meet many new people. About couch surfers' home, it is a little bit challenging for me right now. But I would like to try in the future. How do you think of it? Share your ideas or experience if you are interested!!
I stayed a few times with a host family (in Brighton, Hamburg, Genoa), when my purpose was to learn a second language and immerse myself in foreign culture. I had a separate room but we shared the kitchen, bathroom , which was totally fine for me. I guess, it's because I was always lucky with the host families I met, they were all nice people.
If I were travelling alone, I'd go for staying with a host family over and over again. But these days I travel with my husband so we prefer to stay at an Airbnb (so that we are alone, no host with us) or a small hotel.
I've never tried staying at a hostel, I'd feel uncomfortable, I think. Many of my friends prefer hostels though, especially when they're travelling across Europe.
