Boston Hostels Serve Up Thanksgiving Fun
At Boston hostels this Thanksgiving, you’re as likely to hear “pass the Google Translate’’ as you are “pass the stuffing.’’
The low-budget accomodations, known for allowing travelers to get up close and personal with each other in shared bedrooms and bathrooms, are popular lodging options for guests from all over the world. Edward Donovan, assistant general manager at 40Berkeley in Boston’s South End, said he turns to Google Translate when he needs help communicating with patrons for whom English is a foreign tongue.
You’d think the combination of a language barrier and a holiday barrier would make for a lousy Thanksgiving. On the contrary; Boston hostels are cooking up all kinds of fun, from traditional sit-down dinners to getting-to-know-you games.
“It’s Thanksgiving with a hostel twist,’’ said Paul Kuhne, community engagement manager of the Chinatown hostel Hostelling International Boston (HI-Boston). “It’s party-esque and sort of fun.’’
TVs will air the day’s slate of parades and NFL games, but Kuhne didn’t want to have the party dominated by the glow of a screen.
“It’s easy to throw on the TV, but it’s fun and interactive to get people chatting and learning about each other,’’ said Kuhne.
Kuhne’s staff has planned “edu-tainment’’ like People Bingo (where filling a square might mean finding someone who has traveled to 10 countries), cornhole, pool, and ladder ball. And a slew of goofy hats will be available for Thanksgiving photo shoots. In the evening, volunteers will take anyone who hasn’t fallen into a food coma out on the town.
Donovan will provide a viewing of the Thanksgiving parade and football game for his guests as well.
Thanksgiving is not a busy time of year for 40Berkeley, said Donovan, who only expects 50 of his hostel’s 168 rooms to be occupied. But his staff will still give guests a nice Thanksgiving experience.
“I’ll show the parade. I’ll do a traditional Thanksgiving dinner — buffet (family-style), turkey, stuffing, all the fixings.’’
He’ll also provide a history lesson.
“I’ll get some data and explain what Thanksgiving is and the details behind it,’’ said Donovan, who is currently hosting travelers from Indonesia, France, and Russia.
Last year, HI-Boston guests hailed from China, Australia, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, said Kuhne. “Some of them are more familiar [with Thanksgiving] than others,’’ said Kuhne.
They were happy to learn and thankful for the camaraderie, he said. “We like the idea of promoting a home away from home.’’
Not all Boston-area hostels are open for Thanksgiving. Backpackers Hostel & Pub in Everett closed in mid-November and won’t reopen until March.
But those that are open offer a fun and affordable option this holiday season. A Thanksgiving-night bed at 40Berkeley will cost $65, and a bed at HI-Boston will cost $43.
“The reality is in Boston, it’s an economical thing,’’ said Donovan. “The prices in Boston are significantly higher for a hotel than for a hostel.’’
So hostels provide financial relief for guests — something weary travelers can be thankful for.
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