Originally Posted by
skidder
Yes, they are still out there, but most are not the same as the older AYH and HI hostels were, and the coronavirus crisis probably isn't doing a lot of them any favors. . Most are 'private' businesses and have the traditional shared 'bunk bed' accomodations, bathroom facilities, laundry room, and individual lockers, but it varies from there. Some charge for bedding, meals are extra (but there's usually a shared kitchen), and some require you do some participatory work (wash dishes, linens, etc). Clientele can vary considerably from nice to nasty.
In my limited experience, they vary pretty widely in price, vibe, and accommodations. One was pretty expensive, nice, and had rigid rules, but didn't include much. It did have local artist's work on all the walls.
Another asked for a donation, was pretty freewheeling, fed us like we were family, had any accommodation I could imagine wanting, but in the most basic form, all in a hippy artist commune style. A young family was there on a somewhat extended stay working. They were travelling around working mostly on organic farms (WWOOF)