3 men, a woman and a mixed dormitory

Staying in a hostel can be fun, as long as you know what to expect.

The first time I ... stayed in a mixed dormitory overseas

In 2011, I was in Hollywood to interview the cast and crew of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. I had decided to extend my trip for sightseeing purposes, and after spending a few days at the swanky Montage hotel in Beverly Hills (paid for by the event organiser for the duration of the assignment), I decided to slum it at a backpackers’ hostel for the rest of my stay.