Youth hostel

Youth hostel, inexpensive, supervised overnight lodging, particularly for young people but generally accommodating all members of such hosteling organizations as the International Youth Hostel Federation and the American Youth Hostels. Hostels provide dormitory-style sleeping and a communal kitchen, but little in the way of bedding and services. Length of stay is often limited to 1–3 nights. The first hostel was founded in Westphalia, Germany, in 1910. Hostels spread rapidly in Europe after World War I. The first U.S. hostel was founded in Northfield, Mass., in 1934.