Selina Hostels & CoLive Review [2024]: Are They Worth It?

At the beginning of the pandemic, more and more people started working remotely. Remote work can be fantastic, but it can also be tricky — there are several pros and cons. Here at Pilot, we know all too well about the difficulties and benefits associated with remote work. We've been a remote company since day one.

But as more people have been shifting to remote work, it's led many to consider adopting the digital nomad lifestyle full time. I mean, just take a look at all the fantastic career opportunities you can take on while traveling! Most digital nomads are self-employed or employed by companies that are happy to be very flexible.

With the considerable rise in digital nomadism as a trend, companies have sprung up aiming to make full-time travelers' lives easier. Selina is one of them. 

This fast-growing hospitality brand provides travelers with somewhere they can stay, work, and explore — it's like a hotel with bells on. Everything a digital nomad could need, Selina's got it covered. Want to know more? Keep reading.

But before we take a closer look at Selina, remember: You don't have to be a digital nomad if you want to travel the world. All you need is a great plan, but we'll get to that later. Let's dig deep into Selina, starting with who they are.

What Is Selina?

Selina is a global hospitality company, providing a range of hotels and hostels that serve guests with accommodation in beautiful destinations worldwide. 

But what's so special about that?

Well, it's not just rooms they offer. Each Selina hotel and hostel also has a range of facilities and amenities tailored explicitly to remote workers' needs. The company prides itself on providing a place for digital nomads or other working travelers to stay, work, and explore.

Within a Selina hotel/hostel, there are beautiful co-working spaces, yoga studios for a relaxing workout, and comfortable rooms available to suit various budgets. There are also tours and excursions on offer, bars, D.J.s, and restaurants serving fantastic food. Anything you can think of that you might need during a working holiday, you'll find at a Selina hotel.

Forbes went so far as to call Selina "the digital nomad hotel of the future." If that's not a ringing endorsement, we don't know what is! 

What Makes Selina Different?

Selina properties are a good hybrid for travelers who want the fun and freedom that comes from hostel travel but also the comfort and amenities of hotels. 

The properties have comfortable dorm rooms for travelers on a budget. Still, there are also private rooms and suites for those who prefer a bit of luxury.

You can book and pay for a room in your chosen destination, and you can pay to add on extras like a coworking space or a meeting room for a day, a week, a month. 

But what sets Selina apart is its CoLive program.

What Is CoLive?

CoLive is a subscription service that allows travelers to stay in multiple Selina hotels each month. Users pay a monthly fee and get a month's worth of accommodation. They also get free wellness classes — things like yoga and meditation sessions — plus a free hot desk for the duration of their stay, access to all hotel facilities, and discounts in on-site restaurants and stores. 

There are two programs: CoLive and CoLive Flex. The standard CoLive option provides travelers with continuous accommodation in Selina hotels for up to 30 nights, including three destination changes. CoLive Flex allows travelers more flexibility with their travel, as they can change destination up to 10 times every month.

A CoLive subscription is a fantastic choice if you're looking to travel and work remotely without the hassle and extra costs associated with trying to find your hot desk… or the death stares that come from trying to work in a local café!

Where Can I Travel with Selina?

According to Selina's LinkedIn profile, the company currently owns 144 open or secured properties in 25 countries. As of January 2022, this translates to 92 available hotels, spread over five continents, with more expected to open in the near future.

In North America, you can find Selina hotels in:

• USA
• Mexico
• Costa Rica
• Panama
• Guatemala
• Nicaragua

In South America, there are Selina properties in:

• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile 
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Peru
• Uruguay

In Europe, you'll find Selina hotels in:

• Austria
• UK
• Greece
• Portugal

There are also several properties in Israel and one in Australia. 

Popular destinations for Selina travelers include downtown Cancun, Oaxaca, New York City, Sao Paolo, Lima, Athens, London, Lisbon, and Melbourne.

Selina also has plans to open additional hotels shortly, so you'll have even more choices. Washington, D.C., Buzios (Brazil), Kinneret and Parod (Israel), and Melbourne (Australia) are set to open soon. 

Whether you're looking for a lively hotel in the heart of a bustling city or a chilled-out hideaway in a remote paradise, Selina's got you covered.

Is Selina Hostels worth it?

Selina takes the hassle out of organizing a trip, with accommodation and a hot desk all under one roof. We believe that it's an excellent option to consider if you're a digital nomad looking for a good balance between relaxing, working, and socializing!

On the other end, Selina might not be for you if you're looking for a strictly budget stay. Selina may be on the pricer end of hostels for the higher edge on quality. In addition, Selina hostels are often loud during the day, so if you're looking to work, you might have to compromise with noise-canceling headphones or a different hostel!

Our Rating: 4.6/5

Pros:

• Convenient for digital nomads.
• Great place to connect with others
• Worldwide locations
• Wellness sessions and experiences for good work/life balance.
• Gorgeous — the owners take disused spaces like chocolate factories and turn them into something beautiful and comfortable.
• Excellent facilities like bars and restaurants.

Cons:

• Loud from the partying during the day.
• Pricer option than some hostels
• Room quality varies per location

Your New Life as a Digital Nomad

Selina can be a great option if you're looking for ways to simplify your digital nomad travel plans. And if you need any help with other aspects of organizing a trip, Pilot is here to help.