Location, Location, Location...

The area does have crime but I wouldn't call it dangerous. I'd just advise guests not to go down that one block and to stay on the main blvd. I'd always planned to invest in a good security system but I might have to beef it up quite a bit in light of my findings. Having someone on duty at the front desk overnight all week to keep watch instead of only during the weekends is also something I'll have to consider.

I think a 24 hour reception is a good idea for both securty and for customer service.

Barcelona has a reputation for being Pickpocket Heaven. Hello BCN did something that I really liked. They made a list of the common tricks that pickpockets use to try to distract you. It always helps to know what to look out for! They didn't call a lot of attention to it, but it was available in a binder with some other useful city information. You might consider having something like that available but not prominent.

I stayed in a hostel where the receptionist gave me a city map and drew circles around the areas I should avoid. While I greatly appreciated the warning, that approach made me a bit uneasy. What would have ben better is if she had said, "Some areas are better than others. If you're not comfortable with big cities I would be happy to point out the places that other guests have thought seemed a bit shady." Of course I would have asked her to point out the areas, and I probably would have stayed away from them. The difference is that I wouldn't have felt any anxiety. The alternative approach would reduce the emphasis on the danger, but still pass on the message that "you don't really want to go here."

As far as cameras go, if you're going to install them anyway make sure you have at least one outside the building pointed at the area surrounding your entrance.

It may sound strange, but it can't possibly hurt to drop by the local police station once every three months with a box of donuts, bagels, pizza, or whatever makes them smile. If they're fond of you (for whatever reason) they are more likely to help you out if you need it. Petty theft may seem extremely serious to a backpacker, but it probably doesn't rank terribly high on a busy police officer's list of priorities. Having a 'friend' like you connected to the victim may make your guest's case seem more important to the authorities. It may also make you look like an important person and make the guest feel confident that they did the right thing coming to you - even if their things are never recovered.

After weeks of looking online at this property I want to purchase for my hostel, I finally decided to take a trip there to see it up close. Immediately I noticed some good things, some bad and even a surprise or two but I'm not sure what to make of it all.

Positives:
- The property is just as beautiful as in the online pics, only BIGGER.
- I walked there from the train station and it's much closer than I thought - Yippie-Kye-Aye! :D
- It's practically right across the street from the beautiful local park that I'd originally thought was blocks away.
Bonus: Bank, gas station, church, bus stops, and liquor store all within a block.

Negatives:
- The place is an old historic building, way old! Lots of renovations and repairs needed. $$$
- It's right on the main blvd with high traffic. (Sort of a negative and a positive?)
- Down the street on the next block is a bad neighborhood. I noticed that some of the shady characters trickled down to our side. (Safety issue?)

I still feel good about the property but I'm wondering if we can overcome the closeness of the main blvd and the bad neighborhood. Heck, this is a city setting so there's traffic and bad neighborhoods all over - there is no escaping them! I'm just trying to see things the way a backpacker would. At the end of the day it's their opinion and perception that matters most here. What do you think? Thanks! :)

Is there anything touristy within a couple of blocks of the hostel? What is the average rate for a 4,6,8 bed dorm at the other hostels in the area? Will you be able to compete with there rates? Is there a "off season" and how long is it? What can be done to attract guests during the "off season?