The travel bug has bitten Indians hard, especially after two years of the pandemic. Now that the disease seems to have subsided, at least temporarily, people are going on vacations with a vengeance. Thanks to flexible work policies and a hybrid mode of working, there has never been a better time to travel! All we need is a good internet connection and a comfortable space to work from. Exploring destinations within India itself has been on the cards for many young adventurers. If you are planning your next domestic getaway and are looking for accommodation that is comfortable and budget-friendly, the Hosteller is our recommendation.
The Hosteller is all about budget-friendly accommodations. Photo Credit: NDTV Food
About The Hosteller
A chain of hostels for backpackers, the Hosteller was founded in 2014 by Pranav Dangi. The chain has slowly and steadily expanded to over 40 locations across India and has served over five lakh travelers. The idea behind their motto - get up and go - is to enable people to plan spontaneous vacations at affordable prices. They have hostels in the most popular tourist destinations including Bir, Agra, Jaipur, Coorg, Manali, Kasol and Goa to name a few. You can even choose from an array of options of treks, quick getaways, longer expeditions, or even a workcation depending upon your tastes and travel preferences.
All About Our Stay At The Hosteller: Jodhpur
After much deliberation, we finally picked the Hosteller Jodhpur for our stay. Located in the heart of the blue city, the Hosteller Jodhpur was indeed a great choice in terms of where it was situated. It was easily accessible with a short 20-minute ride or just 2 km from the Jodhpur railway station. Further, there were plenty of options around in terms of street food and shopping.
The property has options for dormitories with bunk beds as well as private rooms. The Hosteller's signature yellow-and-black theme was prominent throughout. A smooth and simple check-in process ensured that we did not have to wait too long for our room. We stayed in the private Double Deluxe room for two people.
Spend time with your loved ones or work at the Hosteller, Jodhpur. Photo Credit: The Hosteller Jodhpur
There were plenty of solo travellers at the property, as the affordable accommodation made it ideal for backpackers. Our room was not luxurious per se, but it was quite comfortable and spacious and was equipped with all the basic necessities. The room was on the second floor that was accessible via stairs. Thus, it is best to use a backpack or travel light as you may have to carry your own luggage to the room.
Food And Dining At Musafir: A Traveller's Cafe At The Hosteller, Jodhpur
We quickly unpacked our luggage and headed to the terrace cafe at The Hosteller Jodhpur called Musafir: A Traveller's Cafe. The moment we reached the terrace, the first thing that left us awestruck was the stunning view. The picturesque Mehrangarh fort of Jodhpur is visible from the terrace cafe, with a backdrop of bright blue skies speckled with clouds and the indigo-colored houses that characterise the blue city. At night, the view became even more insta-worthy thanks to the beautifully lit-up fort.
A stunning view of the Mehrangarh fort greets you on the rooftop. Photo Credit: NDTV Food
The cafe has multiple levels and seating options, and the walls are decorated with some quirky graffiti. There are also several games such as foosball, Jenga, and Uno as well as some books kept for diners to keep themselves entertained.
Musafir cafe at The Hosteller, Jodhpur has plenty to offer. Photo Credit: NDTV Food
The menu of Musafir cafe had plenty of delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. All the dishes were meticulously prepared and left no room for complaints. If you love spicy food, you will thoroughly enjoy the masaledar food here. For breakfast, our top picks were the poori bhaji, the crunchy and light poha, the stuffed paneer parantha, filter coffee and lassi. A special mention for the bhaji - filled with vegetables and with a lingering sweet aftertaste.
Stuffed paratha at Musafir Cafe. Photo Credit: NDTV Food
Poha and Lassi at The Hosteller, Jodhpur. Photo Credit: NDTV Food
The dinner too was lavish and indulgent and had plenty of variety to offer. Our recommendations include the classic Rajasthani dal bati churma, sev tamatar, sangri and home-style chapatis. The dal bati was served with chaach and papad on the side. While the dal was simple and delicious, the bati had a tempting crunch and was thoroughly satisfying.
Sangri and Sev Tamar with chapatis. Photo Credit: NDTV Food
Just like the property itself, the food too was extremely budget-friendly and offered a complete value for money.
The Hosteller, Jodhpur: Activities And Things To Do
Since the Hosteller, Jodhpur is located in the heart of the blue city, there's plenty that you can do. Take an evening stroll to the Toorji ki Baori (stepwell) which is just five minutes away. You can also visit the clock tower or Ghanta Ghar and check out the local shops there at Sardar Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar.
Other popular tourist attractions are also easily accessible with an auto ride - such as Jaswant Thada, Rao Jodha Rock Park and of course, Mehrangarh Fort. If you plan in advance, you could even do the popular adventure sport 'Zip Lining' within the stunning backdrop of the fort. There's also C-road for some tempting cafes, as well as the famous Umaid Bhawan. And of course, don't forget to get some of Jodhpur's famous sweets packed for your near and dear ones!
To conclude, we would definitely recommend a visit to the Hosteller, Jodhpur - for nothing else but the stunning view, excellent location, affordable prices and good quality food. What better than a memorable vacation that doesn't burn a hole in your pocket?