Lisbon retains its position as top hostel spot of the world

(Hostelworld.com Limited)

Portugal's capital was home to five of the top ten worldwide hostels recognized at this year's "HOScars".

The 8th Annual HOStelworld Customer Annual Ratings awards, held in Dublin January 26, presented Lisbon's Travellers House Hostel with the top award, naming it the "Best Hostel in the World". It is the second year in a row that the hostel has come top of the ranking compiled from the votes of over 1 million visitors to 23,000 eligible hostels around the world.

"We work in a very passionate environment. The people who work in our hostel get great enjoyment out of hosting guests and showing them the best our city has to offer," said Joao Pires, the manager at Traveller's House Hostel. ""We are very proud to win the top hostel in the world for 2 years in a row."

The placement of Rossio Hostel and Living Lounge hostel meant that Lisbon achieved an impressive trio of first, second and third places. The Lisbon Lounge and Lisboa Central hostel also appeared in seventh and tenth positions respectively. Nations hosting other top ten hostels included Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Italy and Wales.

The website compiled data from reviews of stays throughout 2009, with hostels rated on six criteria: character, security, location, staff, fun and cleanliness.

Top 10 Worldwide Hostels

1. Travellers House, Lisbon, Portugal
2. Rossio Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal
3. Living Lounge Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal
4. Academy Hostel, Florence, Italy
5. Carpe Noctem, Budapest, Hungary
6. The Riverhouse Backpackers, Cardiff, Wales
7. Lisbon Lounge Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal
8. Greg & Tom Hostel, Krakow, Poland
9. The Naughty Squirrel Backpackers Hostel, Riga, Latvia
10. Lisboa Central Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal

Special Categories:

• Cleanest Hostel: Academy Hostel, Florence, Italy
• Best Staff: Riverhouse Backpackers, Cardiff, Wales
• Most Secure: Travellers House, Lisbon, Portugal
• Best Location: Academy Hostel, Florence, Italy
• Best Character: Living Lounge Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal
• Most Fun: Carpe Noctem, Budapest, Hungary
• Most Improved: The South Beach Hostel, Miami, USA

Data from Hostelworld.com

Website: http://www.hostelworld.com