HOSTELBOOKERS. Back in 2003, HostelBookers started out with a very simple idea: Get together a range of the best youth hostels, backpackers' hostels and budget accommodation out there, and make them available for travelers to book for free. What made, and still makes, HostelBookers different from the others is that they charge no booking fees... which is whay they think is exactly as it should be! But they also put the emphasis firmly on the quality of the properties in their 2500-plus destinations, not the quantity.