What is the difference between a hostel, guesthouse, B&B and aparthotel?

They differ in what you get, who else is there, and what services are included — and the labels are applied loosely enough that checking the specifics matters more than the category.

Hostel. Budget accommodation centred on shared dormitories with bunk beds, though most now also offer private rooms. Bathrooms are usually shared. The distinguishing features are communal spaces — kitchen, lounge, bar — and a social atmosphere that is the point rather than a side effect. Guests are typically younger and travelling independently, though this varies. Cheapest per person by a considerable margin, and the best option for solo travellers wanting company.

Guesthouse. A small, usually family-run property with private rooms, more like a small hotel than a home. Breakfast may or may not be included. Fewer services than a hotel — often no reception overnight, no restaurant, no daily housekeeping — at a lower price. The term is used very loosely internationally and can mean anything from a simple room to a boutique property.

B&B (bed and breakfast). Private rooms in what is often the owner's own home, with breakfast included and usually cooked to order. The defining characteristics are small scale — frequently under six rooms — and personal host contact. More local knowledge and more interaction than a hotel; less privacy and fewer facilities. Check-in times are often restricted because someone must be there.

Aparthotel (serviced apartment). Self-contained apartments with a kitchen and separate living space, combined with some hotel services — reception, housekeeping, sometimes a gym. The main advantages are cooking facilities and space, which make them substantially cheaper for longer stays, families and groups. Housekeeping is often weekly rather than daily.

What to check regardless of label: whether bathrooms are private, whether breakfast is included, reception hours and late arrival policy, and whether there is a kitchen.