Reporting from Los Angeles — Hostels can be boring, cheap, safe places to stay for a night. Of course, in Eli Roth's "Hostel" horror flicks, they can lead to torture and malice. This list leaps beyond the bare white walls and hard mattresses, while stopping short of chainsaws and blowtorches. But prisons and castles (moat included) make the cut of 22 cool and usual hostels, listed in no particular order. There's even a jumbo jet.
1 . Kadir's Tree House, Olympos, Turkey
Built as an actual tree house, Kadir's offers treehouse rooms, dormitories and private bungalows for two or three people. Breakfast and dinner are included, and Kadir's has two bars that open at lunch and close after the last guest leaves.
Guests can play volleyball, ping-pong or enjoy a picnic outdoors at Kadir's. The hostel is close to the beach and ancient ruins
There are 300 beds plus camping grounds.
Rates start at $14.44 per person for Jan. 1.
Info: www.olympostreehouses.com/kadirstreehouses/index.htm
2. Hedonisia Hawaii Ecohostel, Pahoa, Hawaii.
Hedonisia is, you know, just another farm in the Hawaiian rainforest. This is a place for those who enjoy privacy more than company; there are only 10 beds on the nearly 4-acre property.
Part of the price of the room goes toward an agricultural fee that allows guests to harvest fruit and vegetables from the garden on the property.
Volcanoes National Park and black-sand beaches are within a couple of hours of driving from Hedonisia.
The hostel also offers a Fair-Trade Volunteer Program that provides volunteers accommodation for 15 hours of work per week.
Otherwise, rates start at $20 per room.
Info: www.hedonisiahawaii.com
3. Gram's Place, Tampa, Florida
Gram's Place is named after musician Gram Parsons, and with music-themed (blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, country, etc.) rooms, instruments provided to guests, and a recording studio, it is a great musician's getaway.
The sleeper car on a simulated railroad station depot is the coed dorm. There is a large jacuzzi area, with waterfalls and hammocks in one of the courtyards adjacent to the BYOB bar, Parsons Pub.
If you feel like getting away, Gram's offers bicycle and kayak rentals, as well as trips to two local beaches.
Rates start at $24.75 for Jan. 1.
Info: www.grams-inn-tampa.com
4. Hostel Celica, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Up until 1991 Hostel Celica was a military prison. Now, 20 renovated prison cells serve as hostel cells, each with a different design. For travelers not looking to sleep in a former jail cell, there are eight rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
The hostel has several themed get-togethers throughout the week, ranging from barbecues to jam sessions. On the ground floor of the former prison is an art gallery, Srecisce, that plays host to some international art exhibitions.
Rooms start at $28.87 for Feb. 1.
Info: www.souhostel.com
5. Daddy Long Legs, Cape Town, South Africa
This is a boutique hostel in a century-old, four-story Victorian building with 13 rooms, each unique (like the Photo Booth, You Are Here and the Palimpsest rooms), and each looking like it is part of an art exhibition. Every room also has a private shower and toilet.
There is a communal area that includes a bar and balcony.
Rates start at $55.14 for Jan. 1.
Info: www.daddylonglegs.co.za (There are also apartments and trailers; this is the Art Hotel)
6. Praakli Farm, Saaremaa, Estonia
Praakli has 22 beds on a real organic farm with more than 100 animals, including sheep, goats, dogs, cats, rabbits and even bees.
The farm offers hiking and cycling tours, berry and mushroom picking, and there is a playground for those with children. From Praakli, it's about eight miles to Baltic Sea beaches.
Rates start at $30 for Jan. 1.
Info: http://www.hot.ee/praaklireediku/PrEngl.htm
7. Carbisdale Castle, Carbisdale, Scotland
This castle was built in the early 20th century for the Duchess of Sutherland. It has a vast collection of art on the walls of the communal areas. Some pieces date back more than 300 years. There are also many Italian marble statues on display in the main gallery, dating to the late 19th century.
Along with the guests, a few ghosts are said to stay the night as well. (Hostel Bookers lists the Carbisdale Castle as a haunted hostel.)
Rates start at $32 a night. Make reservations at least five months in advance; otherwise it is likely to be fully booked.
Info: www.carbisdale.org
8. Sepilok Jungle Resort, Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
This jungle resort is stashed away in a tropical virgin rainforest in Malaysia. There are hiking areas where you can catch views of the surrounding wildlife. This hostel is just a short walk from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, one of only four orangutan sanctuaries in the world.
If you don't feel like taking the trek to see the intelligent apes, you'll find a pool, steam room, sauna and a gym to help give you a brief break from your travels. There is also a café and restaurant on the property.
