popular hostels

[rookie]

There are 3 hostels I must sleep in, them being the Burg Stahleck in Bacharach, the Mountain Hostel in Gimmelwald, and a hostel(any) in Cinque Terre. The first two hostels I'll be passing by in late April, and the latter in early May. Has anyone booked a reservation just a few days before actually staying in these hostels? They seem pretty popular due to location or uniqueness, but I can't book it just yet because I don't know exactly what date I'll be there. If I booked a date and got ahead of schedule and went someplace else in the meantime, I'd hate to backtrack back and forth.

What are your experts' suggestions?

[Kim]

Cinque Terre only has one official hostel and it's in Manarola. There are plenty of people that will rent you a room though, just walk into any store or restaurant and ask. Might be pricier though for just one person.

You can make a reservation at the hostel in Manarola (which is supposed to be very nice) but you have to do it at least a week in advance, they are quite strict about that. They do charge you one night when you are making the reservation so that you can't just not show up.

Kim

[rookie]

Thank you. I probably shouldn't worry about Cinque Terre. Does anyone else know the availability of the Burg Stahleck and the Mountain Hostel?

[nitsansh]

As far as I know, Gimmelwald hostel doesn't take reservations.

[emily]

i have to agree...the cinque terre hostel in manarola is verrry nice. long hike to the hostel though, but for a nice, clean comfy bunk and room, it's great. the people who run the place are cool...just not cool about lockouts....when lockout starts...you betta be out...or else...haha.....

[monique]

I think the Mountain Hostel does take reservations by phone 3 days ahead. But at that time of year, maybe there'll be plenty of space.