A bunk bed for £10, or a double bed for £100? If you’re planning to travel again soon, you might be wondering where your money is best spent – on the most comfortable accommodation or out and about at your destination. Here are the pros and cons on each side of travel’s most hotly-contested dichotomy: should you stay in a hostel or a hotel? The argument for a hostel It goes without saying that if you can afford to stay in a 200th floor penthouse suite in Monaco with on-tap Bollinger, an infinity pool and an antique four poster that once belonged to Grace Kelly, the average backpacker’s hostel will probably struggle to meet your expectations. But assuming Jeff Bezos isn’t a distant cousin, the average two or three star hotel is not only much pricier than most hostels, it often also serves up a far less satisfying experience. Hotels will inflate their costs for things that don’t directly affect your stay: an extra tenner for having lots of lifts, an extra £20 for the ornate-looking columns in the lobby, and who knows how much for the nice-but-superfluous chocolate on the pillow. Hostels, by comparison, sell themselves on things that overtly impact your trip. Even high-end outlets rarely stray into hotel price ranges, and your minimal buck gets direct bang with bed, board and sometimes breakfast. A holiday is only as good as who you go with, and most hostels will happily play matchmaker with central social areas, affordable alcohol on demand, and organised activities like pub crawls and sightseeing. Hostels expect you to spend your days out and about, so location and transport are often a big part of the branding, while proprietors often pride themselves on local tips that go beyond the guidebook. Hostels know their purpose is to help you enjoy the place that you’re in – not try and compete with it. You could spend your day standing around awkwardly while room service changes your one-night-old bedsheets, or you could get to know the couple from your dorm over a game of ping-pong, before heading off to a local bar. The pros of a hotel There is a reason hostels are predominantly the preserve of the young, and it isn’t just to do with money. A lot of gap year travellers don’t need to escape from the laundry, an overflowing office inbox, and doing their tax returns, because for one reason or another they simply aren’t at that stage of life. At hotels, meanwhile, menial tasks are done for you – the bed is made, the floor is cleared, the toiletries are provided – and for a break from your daily reality, taking care of the domestics is pretty much essential. Hotels also offer up that rare quality: privacy. Room service means you needn’t even brave the restaurant, and you can exist with your people, on your terms. Just try going for a romantic break in 10 person dorm; your trip will have limits. As for those 10 people, if even one of them listens to loud music with no headphones, leaves their foul-smelling sandals by your bed, or is “not a racist but…”, they can single-handedly ruin your trip. Foreign fraternising can go one of two ways, and the more people you’re cooped up with, the more likely you are to find a wrong ‘un. (Also, we hope you like being tired if you’re staying in a hostel; a lot of guests keep ungodly hours). And if you do want to step it up a gear and go all-inclusive, all power to you. You don’t have to fly all the way to Mexico to languish by a swimming pool, but it sure does help with the weather. Hotels make things easier and that’s what holidays are supposed to be all about. Read More Best UK hotels 2022 Best luxury hotels in Scotland for 2022 Family-friendly hotels in the UK for style, location and value 8 of the best dog-friendly hotels in Scotland for countryside walks 8 of the best dog-friendly hotels in Wales for walking adventures 7 of the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast for views and luxury

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In recent months, the blissfully unaware learnt the meaning of a self-care ritual known as the 'everything shower," which essentially does what it says on the tin. It entails two hours of head-to-toe beauty treatments, including hair and face masks, shaving, exfoliating, and moisturisers amongst much more. With six billion views under #ShowerTok, more and more people are seemingly detailing their morning wash routines. But now, attention has been turned to the 'nothing shower'. "We all know about 'everything showers,' but I'm all about 'nothing showers,'" one TikTok creator wrote in a clip that's racked up over 110,000 likes. "Turn on the water, sit down in the tub, and wash absolutely nothing." She went on to jokingly claim the 'nothing shower' was "excellent for migraine management, muffling sobs and hiding from responsibilities." Another TikToker shared a clip, saying: "Everything showers are great, but nothing showers >>> (standing in boiling water listening to music after any minor convenience." @mafeanzures nothing showers >>> #fypシ #pov #everthingshower #shower While they may initially sound bizarre, there are several psychological benefits to showering – especially when it comes to improving mental health. A warm shower, whether that be an 'everything', a 'nothing' or somewhere in between, has been said to ease anxiety and depression, as the water reduces tension and helps people relax. They are also known to give an energy boost, similar to your morning tea or coffee. While the 'nothing shower' may have some great wellness benefits, don't forget to take care of personal hygiene, of course. One dermatologist urged people to take extra care of ears, belly buttons and nails to avoid difficult-to-treat infections. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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