Depends where you're talking about. Europe is a HUGE place and conditions differ enough from one area of a city to another, let alone one country to another. If you specify where abouts in Europe we might be able to help you.

http://www.travel--guide.org/Paris

I personally have never stayed in a hostel or one in Europe, but I have had a good friend who visited Spain a few years back and stayed in hostels to keep the cost down. From what he told me it is truly not a place for adults. He explained that it is mostly college age individuals who utilize the hostels. He described some situations that I found to be very bad. Yes the savings can be significant, but you are pretty much just renting a bed in a room you share with other people you don't know. He also told me the accomidations are very poorly, if your someone just looking for the bare basics and not luxury than this may be an option for you.

All hotels are in good condition and are absolutely safe and sound. Charges of the hotels depend on the facilities provided by them and popular hotels obviously charge more so it depends on you and there are hotels which can charge upto 500 pounds a day and others which will charge just 50 pounds or even less.

Hostels are very good, cheap and hygenic way to stay if you are visiting any country in eastern Europe. Besides plenty of beddings there its quite possible that they offer in house canteen also. they are quite hip amongst backpackers.