Lockout?

[mcfish123]

This might be a really stupid question, but I've never stayed in a hostel before, so I don't know!

Some of the hostels I'm looking at (le Village for example) say that they have a lockout from from a certain time in the morning to a certain time in the afternoon. Does this just mean that we have to leave before then and are literally locked out until that time? Do we leave all our things at the hostel?

Also, as far as curfews, if you come back later than the said time, are you just locked out until they open in the morning?

Again, sorry if these are silly questions!
Thanks!

[WillTravel]

I think Le Village has a 5-hour lockout, from 11 AM to 4 PM. From what I read, you cannot get in your room (so you better have what you want before you leave) during this time, but the common areas are open.

This policy makes it easier for hostel staff to do thorough cleaning.

For curfews, it can indeed happen that you are locked out and aren't allowed in until morning.

[Eagle]

mcfish123, first of all, your questions are not "silly". The questions and answers here benefit everyone on the Boards.

Yes, some Hostels do have a "lockout" and some enforce it quite strictly! In other words, the doors are locked from (for example) 11:00 to 16:00 and no one is allowed in. As WT noted, this is usually the time when Hostel staff clean the rooms. Others (including some that I've stayed at) have a more liberal lockout rule, so if a guest wants to pop into their room to collect something, that's not a problem.

I don't really like the lockout rule, so usually choose Hostels where this isn't strictly applied (or use a budget Hotel instead). Often the "chain" Hostels such as H.I. have fairly flexible lockout rules, whereas some of the independents have very strict rules.

Yes, I normally leave my main Pack and related kit at the Hostel and just take what I need for the day (camera gear, water, coat, umbrella, etc.) either in a Daypack or a Photo Vest. I always lock the Main Pack and although this just provides minimal security, it's better than nothing.

I also don't tolerate curfews too well. If a Hostel has a curfew, I would probably choose a budget Hotel in that location. At times when I'm out touring at night, I don't really know what time I'll be returning, so a curfew is a problem for me.

Hope this helps. Happy travels!