These are some recommendations for hostels that I have written down based on my travel experience:

- Private shelves in the room next to bed
- Private light in the room next to bed
- Sound proof rooms
- Large common area
- Couches, many couches
- Board games, other games
- Large wall map of local area
- Map of the city/town to give out
- List of local restaurants and prices
- List of local foods to try (with pictures)
- Small item shelf in shower
- Staff is knowledgeable of things to do in the area
- Event calendar
- Space under beds for bags
- Free lockers
- No shoes policy
- Clean bathrooms
- Clean showers
- Working facilities
- Free internet and computers
- Hostel events
- Shower hooks
- Shower shoes provided
- Included toilet paper
- Rooftop bar / common area
- Large table in bar for people to sit at
- Pitchers available in bar
- Coffee in the morning
- Kitchen
- Basic ingredients for kitchen
- Laundry (price per load)
- Tub available for hand-washing clothes
- Tables in the dorms with chairs
- Mirror in the room and/or bathroom
- Necessities store at the reception (if no 24 hour mart nearby)
- Suggested itineraries to see area
- Guest book with tour recommendations
- General recommendations from guests
- Power outlets available
- Cheap beer
- Happy hour
- Late night snacks or a local restaurant
- 24 hour reception
- Good music and quietly played
- English speaking staff
- Clothespins the hand cloths to hangers (to prevent from falling off while drying hands)
- Free towels
- Free soap/shampoo dispenser in shower
- Pool table
- NO GUITAR (people who cannot play will try to play and it will annoy others)
- Pinball machine?
- Video game system (N64 is best for its multiplayer games)
- Hostel personality (art, architecture, something unique)
- AC / Heating
- Stereo can connect to guests' iPod
- Fast internet, wifi (accessible in rooms)
- Lockers under beds?
- Assigned beds?
- Bean bag chair!
- Unbreakable furniture
- Couch in room
- Free snacks in common area
- Windows (large) in rooms
- Up to date computers (Mac preferably, both options better)
- Laundry actually cleans clothing
- World map with small pins, or one pin with string to use to make paths of travelers journeys
- DVD player and a good selection of movies, or a hard drive with movies on them
- Group hostel events, like family dinners, or free tours
- Free blankets if cold