Looking to Open a Luxury Flashpacker Hostel in NYC!

[nychostelfan]

Right now, New York City is still under-served when it comes to hostels, both in terms of quantity AND quality. Most hostels in the city can't hold a candle to what you'll find in Europe, Asia, or even the West Coast. A quick glance through Hostelworld's listings shows how few hostels here can manage to pull in even mediocre reviews and ratings.

I've worked for 3 hostels (2 here in NYC, 1 in Miami), and have 5 years of hospitality experience. I don't claim to be a genius, but I do think I understand basic customer service principles and the notion of getting back what you put in. So I've decided to take the big leap and do you know what!

I'm currently seeking investors for a very different kind of hostel in NYC, the kind that can garner worldwide acclaim by offering guests an experience normally reserved for the hippest boutique hotels in a hostel atmosphere.

I'm currently scouting locations in the Lower East Side, East Village, and Williamsburg. Right now, most NYC hostels are consolidated in the Upper West Side-- which is a nice enough area, but if you're a young traveler looking to enjoy the best nightlife, restaurants, and shopping, downtown is where you want to be. Also, a good LES location would give us proximity to the Chinatown bus routes travelers use to daytrip to DC, Boston, Philly, and Baltimore.

The concept is essentially 'Hipster Chic'... a Manhattan Gossip Girl aesthetic with indie flair, so stylish it hurts. Inspired by only the best boutique hotels and hostels, an experience custom-made for flashpackers. This is one they'll write about in magazines saying things like 'I can't believe it's a hostel!'

Just some of the things we hope to offer:

*A Wide Variety of Room Choices: Single and Twin Private rooms, dorms of various sizes, and a couple of Luxury 'Suites'. Each room distinctive and unforgettavle.

*For the dorms: sleep in style in custom Bunk Beds with privacy curtains, shelving, reading lamps, power outlets, white noise machines, headphone only mini-tvs, and iPod docks.

*For the privates: big flat screen tvs, comfortable beds, desk space, mini fridges, and Sirius satellite radio.

*The bathrooms: For the traveler tired of grimy and rundown hostel bathrooms-- mist showers, fountain sinks

*A Connoisseur's Complimentary Breakfast: No stale donuts or cheap cereal here-- instead, enjoy bioche, croissants, bagels, and fruits from local vendors.

*24/7 Concierge Service: Order food, get directions, book an airport shuttle, you name it. A full time person dedicated to helping guests make the most of their stays.

*Free Wi-Fi that actually works! Plus use of PC and Mac computers for a fee. The concierge desk also offers guests a wide selection of tech products like outlet adapters, cameras, and usb cables.

*Luxurious linens and towels, and a wide selection of toiletries available for sale at the front desk.

*Fully equipped kitchen with state of the art appliances and fine cookware.

*The Perfect Lounge: Meet people from around the world in an atmosphere decidedly out of this world. DJs spin while guests recline on designer sofas. Pieces from our artists in residence adorn the walls. Feel like playing around? Try pool, ping pong, air hockey, or foosball-- or maybe something more modern on XBox 360, Playstation 3, or Wii... it's all in the game room. How about relaxing? Try the Quiet Room with reading chairs and space for yoga/meditation. Or catch an indie film in the Screening Room.

*Weekly visits from fortune tellers, yoga coaches, chefs, and dance instructors!

*Pop culture trivia nights, Roppongi-style karaoke nights, Spelling Bees, and Readings on the weeknights!

*Coordinated nightly outings to all the best that NYC has to offer: clubs, bars, galleries, concerts, performances, screenings, and more.

A bit about operating concepts:

- Key staff members will be awarded their own rooms, and all staff will reside in the hostel. This may seem unconventional, but I believe it will encourage staff to go the extra mile and offer superior service. I'm sorry, but too many hostels in this city are paying front desk clerks $8 an hour with no residency, and you get exactly what you pay for-- unhelpful, uncommitted staff.

- We'll staff a traveling ambassador, paid on commission, to recruit group sales and larger reservations, especially during the winter months. In New York, there is ZERO excuse for a 'slow season'.

- A larger hostel that can keep it's Hostelworld rating in the 90s (or even high 80s) is going to have amazing capacity numbers simply because no one else can pull it off. This is the one thing I'm sure of.

I'm positive some people are looking at this and saying, 'maybe he should start small'. And 99 percent of the time, I'd agree. But small isn't what this city needs right now. This past summer, the biggest hostels in Manhattan put paying guests in mattresses on the floor while fielding (and usually ignoring) complaints about mice, broken windows, and abysmal customer service--

What New York is a hostel that raises the bar. If you believe one of the best cities on Earth deserves one of the best hostels, this might be the right venture for you.

Just PM me if you're interested (and I hope you are), and we can talk about details. Look forward to talking to you soon!

Update: Check the second page for a major update on our progress with this venture!

Looking to Open a Luxury Flashpacker Hostel in NYC!

[aboriginalhostel]

Originally Posted by nychostelfan

A bit about operating concepts:

- Key staff members will be awarded their own rooms, and all staff will reside in the hostel. This may seem unconventional, but I believe it will encourage staff to go the extra mile and offer superior service. I'm sorry, but too many hostels in this city are paying front desk clerks $8 an hour with no residency, and you get exactly what you pay for-- unhelpful, uncommitted staff.

I've got a different opinion about it... I've been living in hostels for a while when I was single, young and full of energy, but I OWN the place.
My experience about employees doing the same, their attitude did really put off the atmosphere. When you gotta stay in the same area for a while, within couple of days you'll be claustrophobic. You'll need to change environment to clear your thoughts. IMHO. It's a good idea to give accommodation for staff (if they need it) but I'd respect requirements for privacy and recreation.
Otherwise have you thought about how much more you'd be able to make if all staffers won't sleep in? How about redistribute it as a bonus?

Originally Posted by nychostelfan

I'm positive some people are looking at this and saying, 'maybe he should start small'. And 99 percent of the time, I'd agree. But small isn't what this city needs right now. This past summer, the biggest hostels in Manhattan put paying guests in mattresses on the floor while fielding (and usually ignoring) complaints about mice, broken windows, and abysmal customer service--

Those hostels just make money on the short run but lose reputation on the long run. A big hostel needs a broad view, more experience and lots of preparation. It's easier to solve problems in a smaller hostel, less stress, staff to take care of, etc. It's easier to mess up a big hostel IMHO but it mostly depends on your skills and experience...

As I've checked your services, it will be really a top notch hostel... You'll definitely need a large hostel to operate especially as you plan to open in downtown. Any ideas about how much would be the average price for a bed per person?

[uktrail]

You want the hostel to feel 'great' to everyone. So you create a whole load of activities, services, facilities. All very good. But you just might be washing over some of the simpler things.

The hostels that people rave over are not dominantly the ones with the most facilities. They are the ones where you feel a welcome from the staff, AND from the other guests, where guests are able to mingle in a friendly atmosphere. Things that favour this are: staff members who mingle with the guests, ask them questions, introduce the shy ones to others, maybe start off a simple game or quiz. A sociable room where guests can eat their self-prepared meals while others study their guide books. Large tables, and sofas arranged so that people are encouraged to interact.

A very helpful concierge behind a desk is excellent. YHA hostels do this very well. But they're regarded as sterile. Have, in addition, one or two staff members who will mingle with the guests.

Things that discourage such an atmosphere are: Too many activities; music that is too dominant so you can only hear your immediate neighbour; rooms that are too big. A common room that tries to be all things to many people might not be very good for socialising. At least, I'm very glad you are not proposing a TV in the common room -- a Screening Room is an excellent idea!

Headphone mini-TV's? Brilliant! Why don't all hostels go in for these, so that the TV addicts can follow their occupation without the rest of us having to listen also.

White noise machines? Hmm, they are worth trying, does anyone know if they are used anywhere else? I remember one hostel where I blessed the 'white noise machine' (an adjacent elevated freeway, heard through open windows) for drowning the harsh snoring from the next bed (HI Seattle).

[nychostelfan]

Originally Posted by uktrail

You want the hostel to feel 'great' to everyone. So you create a whole load of activities, services, facilities. All very good. But you just might be washing over some of the simpler things.

The hostels that people rave over are not dominantly the ones with the most facilities. They are the ones where you feel a welcome from the staff, AND from the other guests, where guests are able to mingle in a friendly atmosphere. Things that favour this are: staff members who mingle with the guests, ask them questions, introduce the shy ones to others, maybe start off a simple game or quiz. A sociable room where guests can eat their self-prepared meals while others study their guide books. Large tables, and sofas arranged so that people are encouraged to interact.

A very helpful concierge behind a desk is excellent. YHA hostels do this very well. But they're regarded as sterile. Have, in addition, one or two staff members who will mingle with the guests.

Things that discourage such an atmosphere are: Too many activities; music that is too dominant so you can only hear your immediate neighbour; rooms that are too big. A common room that tries to be all things to many people might not be very good for socialising. At least, I'm very glad you are not proposing a TV in the common room -- a Screening Room is an excellent idea!

Headphone mini-TV's? Brilliant! Why don't all hostels go in for these, so that the TV addicts can follow their occupation without the rest of us having to listen also.

White noise machines? Hmm, they are worth trying, does anyone know if they are used anywhere else? I remember one hostel where I blessed the 'white noise machine' (an adjacent elevated freeway, heard through open windows) for drowning the harsh snoring from the next bed (HI Seattle).

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I agree with pretty much all of them.

Lounge configurations are a tricky thing, and something I'm passionate about. I agree that the key is a layout/design that encourages mingling with strangers. I am very adamant about not having a TV in the main lounge, no matter what.

Screening Room/Game Room/Quiet Room: It may seem like overkill, but I firmly believe the only way hostels will take off in a big way here in the States is upping the scale of lounges.

The reality is that different people want different things in a lounge, and these smaller rooms can go a long way towards making everyone happy. We've all seen big groups of guys come in and go straight for the pool table or turn the TV to football-- well, the game room will be heaven for them. Or the ones who do love their movies or tv-- screening room's perfect for them. Or the quieter type that like to fix a nice meal and read a bit-- the quiet room will make them feel right at home. Then a main lounge that really puts the focus on mingling 80 percent of the time, with special events and performances as well.

I think events might be the one area we disagree on a bit, but I do think you're right that it's possible to overdo it.

And I agree with you so much about making sure you have a staff that WANTS to interact with guests and help create a social atmosphere. Honestly in my original post I just sort of focused on some of the more 'unique' ideas I have, but it all starts with a solid foundation of good guest service, cleanliness, and, sensible procedures. To me, the best employees are the ones who love hostel atmospheres and meeting people from around the world, and who understand it's a fun and unique privilege to get to live in other people's vacations.

And I'm glad you like my ideas about bed extras, that's something I'm very passionate about. It can be so easy to just throw up bunk beds, but the Japanese have shown you can do so much more with them. Let's face it-- some people DON'T want to socialize, and if that's the case, okay. I want to offer them a bed space then that gives them everything they need.

Basically, all of it boils down to this: I'm a big time people watcher, and a lot of these ideas are based me studying guests and their habits. The conclusion I came to is that there is no "right" way, and that the best hostels are ones that offer a wide variety of choices rather than simply imposing the owner's preference's on the guests.

[nychostelfan]

Originally Posted by aboriginalhostel

I've got a different opinion about it... I've been living in hostels for a while when I was single, young and full of energy, but I OWN the place.
My experience about employees doing the same, their attitude did really put off the atmosphere. When you gotta stay in the same area for a while, within couple of days you'll be claustrophobic. You'll need to change environment to clear your thoughts. IMHO. It's a good idea to give accommodation for staff (if they need it) but I'd respect requirements for privacy and recreation.
Otherwise have you thought about how much more you'd be able to make if all staffers won't sleep in? How about redistribute it as a bonus?




Those hostels just make money on the short run but lose reputation on the long run. A big hostel needs a broad view, more experience and lots of preparation. It's easier to solve problems in a smaller hostel, less stress, staff to take care of, etc. It's easier to mess up a big hostel IMHO but it mostly depends on your skills and experience...

As I've checked your services, it will be really a top notch hostel... You'll definitely need a large hostel to operate especially as you plan to open in downtown. Any ideas about how much would be the average price for a bed per person?

Thanks! I'm obviously pretty excited. I've had the opportunity to work in small (little over 50), medium (150), and fairly larger (over 300), and there's a lot to be said for each. Honestly, how much of this I'm able to do will depend greatly on the investors I can find and the space that's available. and how all that affects projections.

As for staff, personally, I like having staff on-site because I want them involved in the hostel and taking ownership of it. I want them interacting with guests and helping to foster the social environment. At the same time, if I had a good staffer who expressed to me that they wanted to move out, I'd certainly give it a chance!

And as far as bed prices go... as I noted, I really view this as a Flashpacker destination, more so than just students and traditionals-- I know not everyone likes that, but when I look at NYC's current offerings, that's really where I see an opening. And with the amenities we'll be offering and a downtown location, yes, we'll be on the higher end for NYC hostels. However, what I would like is a certain number of 12-bed dorms that keep the rates lower so that it doesn't become TOO upscale. I think there's a way to strike a nice balance, offering a $35 a night 12-person dorm bed, but charging a premium on the privates, 4-beds, and 8-beds. And I think, when the reviews come in and people see how much we offer, that will be a very successful formula.

[Rucksack Brian]

Originally Posted by nychostelfan

As for staff, personally, I like having staff on-site because I want them involved in the hostel and taking ownership of it. I want them interacting with guests and helping to foster the social environment. At the same time, if I had a good staffer who expressed to me that they wanted to move out, I'd certainly give it a chance!

I also prefer to have my staff living on-site. It keeps them directly plugged into everything going on, so there are never any big surprises when they show up for work. Plus they're likely to take their new friends out and play with them even when they're off the clock since everyone is right there at home.

What I intend to do (and strongly encourage you to do) is to create a Staff Only area where they can relax, socialize with each other, eat a meal without answering questions, etc. because even the best, friendliest, most motivated person in the world needs their personal space too. Without it they WILL burn out eventually.

It sounds like you're going to have the hippest joint in New York. I wish you luck finding the right investors to share your dream!

[gordo]

sounds to me (and id like to emphasise the ME part, im not speaking on behalf of other travellers or hostelers) like the place will be a little... well, pretentious. strong word i know but its the only one that jumps to mind. concentrate on being FUN rather than cool. most backpackers or flashpackers wont remember the leather couches, LCD tvs, hipster-chic design, what they WILL remember is how much fun they had.

now, just because a place is cool and trendy doesnt mean it wont be fun as well, but concentrate on making the place the best it can be rather than the coolest/trendiest because while first impressions count - people may walk into the place and go 'wow!' but if they walk away going 'meh' its a waste of time.

the screening room is a good idea - i just built a cinema in our hostel... its awesome - and we're trying to figure out how to install a Wii in the bar but ive found that consoles can be addictive and people will always have 'one more go'. id probably keep the gaming for more organised events - FIFA2008 hostel championship etc... ok, so its NY and wont be FIFA... maybe Madden or NHL or something. movies can include as many people as you can cram in a room, games are limited to (up to) 4 people.

ive always had live-in jobs (even when i wasnt supposed to be living in the hostel in melbourne, it took me an hour and a half to get home... so i stayed 3-4 nights a week) which are great because you're always connected to the place, you get to know the guests etc but it can be easy to burn out. a staff only area is a good idea, perhaps there'd be ways of encouraging them to get out of the hostel too, corporate gym membership or something? cinema pass maybe... depends whats in the area. having staff there all the time is great but its important that they dont feel obliged to be around, or feel that theyre actually 'on' all the time (even though we always are....)

[nychostelfan]

Originally Posted by Rucksack Brian

I also prefer to have my staff living on-site. It keeps them directly plugged into everything going on, so there are never any big surprises when they show up for work. Plus they're likely to take their new friends out and play with them even when they're off the clock since everyone is right there at home.

What I intend to do (and strongly encourage you to do) is to create a Staff Only area where they can relax, socialize with each other, eat a meal without answering questions, etc. because even the best, friendliest, most motivated person in the world needs their personal space too. Without it they WILL burn out eventually.

It sounds like you're going to have the hippest joint in New York. I wish you luck finding the right investors to share your dream!

Great idea! Staff definitely need space of their own to get away sometimes, I agree.

[nychostelfan]

Hey all--

Just to let everyone know, this is still out there! I've identified some good potential spaces in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

I'm not looking for much from this in terms of share, I just want a hand in helping get it started and a place for me when its up and running. NYC is definitely desperate for something of this quality and scale. Let's make it happen!

[CAPhouse]

Your ideas for the hostel sound great! I'm going through the same thing trying to open one in the D.C. area.