The aim of this paper is to assess whether the importance of different characteristicsof the overall hostel guests’ experience vary according to the age, gender and nationality ofbackpackers’. This research took a two-step approach, combining both qualitative and quanti-tative methods. An interview with a hostel manager and a content analysis of hostel bookingwebsites were carried out in order to identify the main aspects that customers value in a hos-tel experience. Then, a survey was performed in order to gather data from hostel customers.Based on a sample of 313 hostel guests staying in Lisbon from December 2012 to February 2013,the results indicated an emerging diversity and increasing heterogeneity of backpackers’ pre-ferences. Therefore, different marketing strategies should be developed for different marketsegments in this sector in order to delight backpackers.