I don't want to party like it's 1999.

And....where might you want this hostel to be located?

LOL< yes, which city, country??
And what is your per night budget in euros. In Paris it is possible to get a budget room for 40-50 euros, and of course there are hostels.

I'm looking in Athens, Rome, Florence, Vencie, Paris Amsterdam and London.

I'd like to spend under 30Euros a night.

Check out Instituto Gould in Florence - around €34/night for a single in a quiet neighborhood. Beautiful location and building. http://www.istitutogould.it/

For Rome, we loved Lilliput Hostel, near Termini. Small and quiet with a beautiful courtyard - no more than 4 beds to a room. Free breakfast and friendly owners who will give you their personal recommendations for restaurants/sights. I think it was about €18-20/night. http://www.lilliputhostel.com

In London you'll have tons of choices, but stay away from Piccadilly Backpackers and The Generator if you want to sleep. Try Smart Hyde Park Inn - 5-bed dorms around £15/night. Nice fairly quiet area just north of Hyde Park. http://www.hydeparkinn.com/

Check out hostelworld.com and hostelz.com for ideas and reviews. Let's Go guidebook is also great for finding very cheap accomodation.

In Florence, check into the Ostello Archi Rossi. It's a clean, sedate hostel about 1.5 blocks from the Venice station and well located for walking to the sights. We paid around 23 Euros each last year, including breakfast, for a triple room with private bath.

For Paris, I would recommend Auberge Internationale des Jeunes. It is located in the 11th - not too much shaking. The metro is less than a minute walk away from the front door. It's clean, cheap (17E/night), and peaceful. Breakfast and linens are included, as well as the mandatory international crowd that comes with every hostel.

But...if you change your mind and DO want to party, there is a cute little bar across the street ;)

Jennifer,
Go to www.Google.com... type in "convent rooms, Rome". You will have several to read about...
... convents in Rome offer an inexpensive alternative.

... P.

The three MIJE hostels in the Marais district in Paris are very quiet and are in a great central location. And how can you beat staying in a renovated 17th-century private mansion? Although the site, www.mije.com, makes it sound like the hostels are only for young people, they're open to anyone.