What features would an "ideal hostel" have?

[Hostels]

What kinds of features and qualities make up an ideal hostel? What are some common problems that could be avoided?

I'll start the list. These are just personal opinions from traveling and working at hostels for many years. I would be interested to hear others' comments.

A partial list of features that an "ideal" hostel would have:

1. SECURITY LOCKERS: There would be security lockers in every room. They would be large enough for a laptop and a camera. Backpackers are increasingly traveling with high-tech gear. This is more of a problem in city hostels. I mention it because I am on the road right now, staying at a city hostel that advertises security lockers, but that does not have them. There is only a small safety deposit box behind the front desk. They offered to put my laptop behind the front desk, but I've been to a couple of city hostels where theft by employees was a problem, so I don't feel comfortable with doing that. All city hostels should have at least one locker for each guest. There is a good example of a way to put lockers in dorm rooms on this page: http://www.palmerslodge.co.uk/sleep.htm
2. COMMON KITCHEN: Many backpackers are on a tight budget and like to self-cater as much as possible. The advantage to a common kitchen is that it is easier to keep clean than multiple kitchens, and it is a place where all of the guests can come together and meet.
3. ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR: Whether this role is taken up by one of the existing employees, or by someone whose sole job is activity coordinator, it is important for the hostel to make sure that the guests are meeting each other and are having fun. To some extent, the most important thing that will leave a positive or negative impression on backpackers is whether or not they met other people and had fun. Even if they see a cockroach, if they met other backpackers and made new friends, they will remember the hostel as being a great place. Example activities that could be coordinated by a hostel: volleyball at the beach, barbeque nights, "open mike" night, walking tours of the area, pub crawls, game tournaments (e.g., chess), etc. Anything to encourage guests to interact.
4. MINIMAL TELEVISION: If anything, televisions at hostels seem to get in the way of people meeting each other, especially if there are TVs in the rooms. Nothing wrong with an occasional "movie night", but many great hostels do well without a TV at all. The same goes for loud music. If there is an area where loud music is played, there should be a place where people can gather that does not have radio or CD music pumped into it all day. Musical tastes are too varied.
5. 24-HOUR TALKING AREA: The ideal hostel would have a place where guests could talk 24-hours a day without disturbing other guests or neighbors.
6. HOSTEL CLEANLINESS: Some hostels have cleanliness problems. The best hostels keep themselves very clean. Designing the hostel facilities well in the beginning can help. Dirty hostels are often a result of work-exchange cleaners that aren't supervised well.

This is just a start to the list. What qualities do you think would make an ideal hostel?

EDIT: See also the Start a Hostel Wiki Guide.

[keenanj]

Here is a list that I came up with after traveling:
• Book of comments on other hostels/activities in country/area-listed by location
• White board with weather forecast and list of rooms with names of all people in rooms
• Suggestion book/surveys
• News from the world bulletin board
• Book exchange
• Art & decoration by people who have stayed at hostel
• Campfires/wood burning stove
• Honor roll of people who have volunteered at the hostel
• Warm & colorful
• Lots of Maps
• Free coffee & tea
• Keys left in rooms with vacancies for late arrivals-pay in morning
• Aluminum showers w/lots of hooks and tall shower heads
• Large sinks

[thlodge]

Security lockers .. I got ours from a high school that was renovating, they are 1/2 size but big enough for the guests. I ask guests to bring a lock but have a few on site. the lockers are in the common area, I really did not have room in the bunk rooms.

We added some shelves on the wall near the foot of each bunk. they are a good place for the guests glasses, book, alarm clock, flashlight, whatever stuff. Also we have reading lights over each bunk. Good for those that wish some quiet self time and serves as an individual light at night so if guests has to get up, they are not stubbling or putting on the bright overhead room light.

If you cannot be an activities coordinator, ask the guests when they check in what their activities are going to be , what are their interests in the area, then you can direct them as where to get started. Have lots of info about the area and hiking, bike rentals, bike rides, area attractions, local restaurants and shops. most hostellers are prety self guided if they have the info available.

If your hostel is large, you may want to think about more than one meals area. A full kitchen or two. Or one kitchen and another area with a fridge and sink and maybe a microwave for the quick meal. Maybe sort of a lunch area with a table and a couple chairs. Meal time seems to create an overload sometimes at the cooking area.

[Hostels]

Originally Posted by thlodge

Security lockers .. I got ours from a high school that was renovating

That is a great idea. I've worked at a couple of hostels that needed security lockers, but obtaining them was a chore.

[Tim]

Buying second-hand lockers, furniture and beds just looks cheap and nasty. It doesn't cost that much more to have new furnishings but it makes a big difference.

The Urban Central hostel in Melbourne, Australia have specially made lockers that feature a power points inside each locker. It's a brilliant idea as it lets you recharge your mobile phone, iPod and computer while it is safely locked away. I think that lockers where guests supply their own padlocks are best - it's more secure for the traveller and easier for the hostel operator.

Hostel kitchens work best when the stoves and food preparation benches are on a central island bench so guests face each other when they are cooking. This encourages travellers to talk to each other, which is difficult when they are staring at a wall when they cook their dinner.

Don't have an XBox or Playstation! It is one thing when a TV kills the atmosphere in a hostel, but at least you can watch the TV. Imagine how boring it is when one or two people are playing on the Playstation but everyone else is bored out of their minds watching someone else play a game.

It's okay to have a TV, but it works best when it is in a smaller room away from the main common room. That way guests have the opportunity to talk to each other but they still don't have to miss their favourite TV show.

It goes without saying that under no circumstances should any hostel ever have a curfew, lockout or rules prohibiting alcohol. Hostels may have got away with these arcane rules in the 1970s but nowadays hostels can only get away with them if they are the only hostel in town or if school or scout groups make up more than 90% of their clientele.

[Hostels]

All great ideas... I wonder if it would be useful to add a wiki to HostelManagement.com so that everyone could contribute to a sort of "manual" that would provide guidance on how to start a hostel.

I'll see if I can install a wiki this weekend.

EDIT: Here is a link to the Hostel Management Wiki

[Andy08]

Another great thread....

For me main reason I think I can open a successful hostel in an already saturated market is because so many hostels simply get it wrong. The don't understand the modern traveller.. The idea of having a power point in a locker is genius.
Security is paramount for modern backpackers as we are carrying so much expensive stuff!! Phones, cameras and Ipods would almost be standard for the average backpacker..

[Hostels]

Originally Posted by Andy08

For me main reason I think I can open a successful hostel in an already saturated market is because so many hostels simply get it wrong. The don't understand the modern traveller..

I agree... I worked in hostels for many years and there are plenty of backpackers in saturated cities -- you just have to get them to your hostel. There are always people who open hostels not because they love hostelling, but because it's just a way to make money. The quality often suffers in those cases.

I think some factors for success in a saturated market are:

• marketing, especially online
  • listed in guidebooks
  • listed on the hostel booking sites (despite the commission payouts)
  • good Web site with high search engine rankings
  • good distribution of rack flyers
• great facilities
  • clean
  • secure
  • fun
  • good location
• guests have a great time
  • great online reviews
  • word of mouth recommendations
  • building a "legendary" name/reputation (e.g., Pink Palace, Flying Pig, Green Tortoise)

[Andy08]

So for someone starting up, the key would be most of what we've already talked about. Modern, clean, secure facilities etc, etc..

Anyone know how guidebooks decide what hostels they list in each issue? I've never really thought about it before. Does the hostel approach the publisher or vice versa? Is it an independent review or a paid ad?

[Hostels]

Originally Posted by Andy08

Anyone know how guidebooks decide what hostels they list in each issue? I've never really thought about it before. Does the hostel approach the publisher or vice versa? Is it an independent review or a paid ad?

In the past I've always contacted the guidebooks. There are many:

• Lonely Planet
• Rough Guides
• Let's Go
• Vip Backpackers
• Hostel Handbook
• also regional ones and non-English guides depending on your location...

Contact them as soon as you have your info ready because some of them have deadlines. I've barely made the deadline in the past and I would have had to wait for the next edition before being able to get it.

For Web sites, check out some of my articles on getting search engine visibility for hostel Web sites. There are more hostel marketing articles coming to this site in July, along with some other new features...