11 years
:glasses: This is where home-made wooden ones come in... its not rocket science to make them oneself or hire a capable carpenter to do so. There are even free plans online... Perhaps anyone can suggest suitable plans?
Bed and mattress suggestions
Start a Hostel
Hi,
I was reading a previous article on this site about bedding. I was wondering what kind of bunk bed frames people recommend? I was looking at Ikea's wood and metal frames, but I read that thin frames are squeeky and unstable. Does anyone have suggestions on what beds to choose?
I am also curious to know what mattresses are better? Firm or soft? There are so many to choose from and the price ranges are widely varied also.
And the final thing....Bed Bugs...I have read many complaints on hostelworld.com about bed bugs. Is there a way to prevent them or stop them at a very early stage before infestation?
I look forward to reading what everyone has to say.
- Comments
9 years
Hi guys,
There is some great info here.
Quick question regarding bunk beds. I have seen all the links to bunk bed manufacturers however as of yet no prices. I realize that there are too many factors affecting price to give an accurate figure however surely people have some experience opening hostels and have a figure they use for their estimated start up costs?
Can someone tell me whether using the figure 200€ per bunk bed (including mattresses and sheets) is way too cheap (even if buying 15 or 20). If so what would be a good figure to use for Start up cost analysis.
Obviously I will prepare for more because there are always hidden costs but a ball park figure is always nice - Especially for my excel spreadsheets :)
Based on previous posts throughout this site I have not considered IKEA as a supplier.
Thanks,
Benji
9 years
Hi Will,
Thanks for the feedback.
I'll definitely put together some specific information and contact you personally about getting a quote.
Thanks again,
Benji
9 years
Hi Benji,
I can fully understand your frustration at trying to put together a plan as most suppliers do not give you prices, yes you are correct, there are many factors that influence the prices. However, the first and best step is to try to calculate EXACTLY what your requirements are, think about this carefully. when you have done this let a supply oompany know where you are geographically so that they can price the cost of transport or shipping. A company (close to you) will look at your situation, do you need help? Are you away from a city? being a member of Hostel Management they should give a structured discount.
Finally, all those questions and comments about mattresses, in our opinion there is only one perfect mattress for a hostel, and that is a high density foam core to 33 kilos per cubic metre which is semi-firm and impregnated to Crib5 fire retardancy.
A soft to touch, no noise when you turn over cover that has a satin feel; a semi permeable water resistant cover that do not feel like plastic and can be machine washed on high temperature which of course kills bed bugs! At £69 each they give comfort, value and longevity :) there is one in the image
all the best of luck Benji
9 years
Hostel bunk beds and buildings :party: - When you finish your travels; "I want to open my own hostel" is only second to acquiring the travel bug! Yet opening a hostel can be a costly exercise, not only is there costs of acquiring an appropriate building in the right geographical area but you also have to fill it with hostel bunk beds, associated equipment and of course travellers.
It is widely known that London is the capitol of backpacker hostels with more hostels than any other city on earth! However, backpacker hostels are springing up all over the world, even in far remote regions such as San Andreas Island in the Caribbean or even The Purple Camel hostel in Marrakesh!
It pays to understand that when opening a backpacker hostel you are entering into 'The hospitality industry', this industry is regulated in most countries; regulations will include safety at the highest level because you are taking in paying guests. Your hostel must be issued with a fire regulations certificate usually issued by your local authority. Did you know that there is a minimum gangway clearance between bunk beds? well 700mm is the norm, this allows enough clearance for a quick exit if there was a fire in the building. it is important to remember this when planning how many bunk beds you can fit into each room. There are many other things which research is essential when planning to open a hostel.
As much as 90% of furniture supplied from furniture stores are not designed for the hospitality sector, rather they are designed the home domestic market. A true contract hostel bunk bed will have to endure the constant changeover of guests, withstand the onslaught of merry backpackers who have been playing various drinking games around the communal table then pulling harshly sometimes in a drunken state on the bunk bed components just to mount the top platform of the bunk bed! It is a sad sight to see them piled up on the front lawn awaiting to be collected by the scrap metal merchant!
Timber/wooden bunk beds from such places as IKEA really do fit into the domestic bunk bed market sector, timber is a natural, breathing material which shrinks in summer and swells in damp winter, this constant movement of expanding and retracting timber cause joints to open and close which brings on early wear, squeaking and groaning when used.
8 years
Choose a water resistant blind zipped cover such as the hostel mattress we make (at bottom of this reply), washing cover in hot water kills them! Look at ESS blogs on how to prevent bed bugs, have a code of practice, make sure guests don't unpack on bed!
Bed bugs travel, yes like your guests they travel !! The little critters move in suitcases to many destinations around the world via a backpack then set up home with your guest! Once there they settle in the warmest place, a nocturnal creature they move in groups of 7 to 10 adults, they will even crawl up a wall, across the ceiling and drop onto the bed!
a high density foam mattress will give fabulous support as they are designed for hospitals to avoid bed sores due to spending long periods in bed, the water resistant cover is THE ONLY WAY to kill them as it withstands a hot wash in a machine.
Prevention is better and much cheaper than cure, even 5 star hotels get bed bugs! Backpackers should really wash all items prior to arriving at your lovely clean hostel but that is so much to ask; right?
Good luck and we hope our blogs on bed bugs help you
Will Lewis
(For ESS Global)
The ESS Dallas at Le Flaneur Hostel Lyon France
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