Hostels are for kids, until my 40s proved me wrong in Lisbon

I spent my 20s and 30s avoiding hostels like the plague. Thought they were all bunk beds, loud drunks, and zero privacy. Last month I had to stay 4 nights in Lisbon on a stupid tight budget, so I caved and booked a private room in one near Rossio Square. It cost me 38 euros a night, which included breakfast and a shared kitchen with actual cookware. The catch was the shared bathroom, but I timed my showers for 7am and never waited once. What sold me was the free walking tour the front desk set up, saved me 25 euros on a guide I would have booked myself. Now I'm reconsidering my whole snobbery, but I still draw the line at dorm beds. Has anyone else over 40 found a hostel setup that isn't a disaster?

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mary_kelly1mo ago

That private room price is honestly a steal for Rossio, but what actually made the difference was the walking tour, right? Did you find the hostel crowd itself changed the vibe, or was it still mostly the same noise and chaos you hated, just with a door to shut? Curious if the social pressure to join group dinners or trips felt easier to dodge in your 40s, or if that part still grates on you.