Chances are, you or someone you know has stayed in a hostel during their travels and vowed “never again”. Common tales of woe born out of necessity revolve around bedbug-ridden mattresses, grim shared bathrooms and a distinct lack of privacy.

Now they’re becoming less of a necessary evil for the time-rich and cash-poor, and more of a boutique sanctuary for savvy travellers on a budget. From Miami to Moscow via Barcelona and Cardiff, here’s our pick of the most stylish offerings from Hostelworld, where you can book stays and read millions of reviews on hostels across the globe.

Best get in there quick though as spaces don’t hang around...

The world's most luxurious hostels you can book from £9 a night