Madison Hostel, 141 South Butler St., is Madison's only year-round hostel, yet due to a slow travel year, it will have a fundraising concert this weekend.
Walking into Madison Hostel, one is greeted with a clean atmosphere. Colorful local art adorns the walls, as well as many maps emphasizing the international nature of the hostel.
\One woman said, 'Immaculate, cleaner than my own house,'"" said Lee Givhan, manager of the hostel.
In one hallway, a large world map has pins scattered among the continents. Each pin represents the hometown of a visitor to the hospital in the past several years, according to Givhan. In the summer of 1999, more than 65 percent of the visitors to the hostel were international, Givhan said.
While hostelling sometimes gets a bad image, Madison Hostel does all it can to transcend that. It has a spotless safety record and its no criminal complaints or injuries reported, Givhan said. Unlike most hostels, towels and pre-made beds are provided and no housekeeping is done by the guests.
""Lots of people that get here from Europe ask how much it is to buy sheets,"" said Jaqui Jacobs, an employee at the hostel.
The hostel has three large dorm-style rooms that cost from $17 to $20 per night. For more privacy, personal and family rooms are available for $40 to $50. The hostel is a ""shoeless environment,"" Givhan said, giving the place a more home-like atmosphere as well as promoting cleanliness and keeping the halls quiet at night.
The hostel will put on a concert this Sunday at the King Club, 114 King St., from 6 to 10 p.m. to raise money and spread the word about hostelling, especially its little-known availability in the Madison area. The cost is $7 for students and $10 for others. Bands present will be Piccolissimo, Freddy Faggot and Levitt8.
