Surf lessons, board hire and yoga classes are thrown in but what's really different about YHA Raglan is the frankly bizarre range of accommodation. Dorm beds are in converted railway cabooses, while other options include off-the-grid tipis with solar-powered lighting and showers. There are also odd-looking "earthdomes", which look like something cartoon woodland elves might live in.

See yha.co.nz.

2 HOSTEL CELICA, LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

Occupying a former prison and surrounded by a squatter artist community, the Celica is as much a gallery as it is a hostel. Each cell is its own individual art work, the garden area has hammocks for lazing in, while three café/restaurants are run on Slovenian, oriental and western themes.

See hostelcelica.com

3 THE BACKPACK, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Table Mountain from the swimming pool lure guests in, but there's bags of artistic flair too. Rugs full of love hearts, garishly coloured stools and original paintings on the wall can be expected. There's also a strong Fairtrade ethos – best seen in the little shop which sells trinkets, souvenirs and artworks from township artists.

See backpackers.co.za.

4 SEATTLE CITY HOSTEL, SEATTLE, USA

An old hotel that once played host to Bogart and Bacall, Seattle's finest hostel has fruit trees, a herb garden and a beehive on the roof. It's arty as well as green, with local street artists invited in to work their magic on the interior decoration.

See hostelseattle.com.

5 LIVING LOUNGE, LISBON, PORTUGAL

Your individually designed room at Living Lounge might be painted to look like a silvery woodland, have curtains in the style of a fado singer's scarf or have lights hanging down inside bird cages. It's also sociable at dinnertime and  three-course group dinners cost just 10 euros ($14). They also run tip-based "free" walking tours.

See livingloungehostel.com.

6 KEX HOSTEL, REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Furnished by a professional set designer who has scoured the world for second-hand and recycled furniture, Kex has taken over a former biscuit factory. It has a marvellously schmoozy outdoor café terrace, as well as an old-school boxing gym where guests can take a swing at punchbags.

See kexhostel.is.

7 YHA YAMBA, YAMBA, NSW

Purpose built and smack bang in the middle of Yamba's main street, the lobby/ café bar is a popular hangout for locals too. The rooftop pool and games room with pool table are handy, but it's the activities on offer that stand out. Surfboard and wetsuit hire are bargain-basement cheap, as are the morning surf lessons and raucous Steve Irwin-esque town tours.

See yha.com.au/hostels/nsw/backpackers-hostels-near-byron-bay/yamba

8 JUMBOSTAY, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Parked outside Stockholm's Arlanda airport, Jumbostay is as the name suggests – an old Boeing 747-212B that has been converted into dorm-style accommodation. Those wanting to splash out and perhaps join the mile-high club are best off with the special suite in the cockpit.

See jumbostay.com.

9 MOSAIC HOUSE, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Mosaic House straddles that line between hostel and design hotel, with the recently refurbished dorm beds all having their own reading lights and storage shelves. The private rooms come with robes, rain showers and huge black and white photos spreading across the back wall. The La Loca bar downstairs, meanwhile, isn't just for cheap beers – it regularly hosts live music gigs – while the hostel also hires out e-bikes and Segways for guests wanting to explore the city the lazy way.

See mosaichouse.com.

10 MONTREAL CENTRAL, MONTREAL, CANADA

Another that straddles the hostel/ hotel boundary, Montreal Central's strength is in how it tag-teams with sister hostel, M, a block away. There's a huge emphasis on activities and events, with beer pong competitions, live bands, comedy performances and karaoke nights spread between the two. Of the pair, Montreal Central is slightly quieter and more polished.

See: hostelmontrealcentral.com

The writer has been a guest of YHA Australia and YHA New Zealand.