12 years
As someone that is looking to start their own small hostel in the next 1-2 years, I am very interested in this!
Master Checklist for Starting a Hostel
Start a Hostel
Hi Everyone,
After 20 years in business I routinely have people asking me the steps to start there own hostel. I end up giving them bits and pieces of information. Recently I have been thinking about the idea of a master checklist for starting a hostel. This would be a list of questions prospective hostel owners should ask themselves or research to be done before and during the startup phase of a hostel.
There's a lot of hostel experience here on HostelManagement.com so I thought I'd put the question to all of you. If we get a comprehensive list going, I'll see if we can post in in a permanent part of the site.
If possible, lets organize the list in sections and subsections.
Thanks.
Darren Overby, Owner/Member
Pacific Tradewinds Hostel, LLC
UPDATE: I've hired an writing intern to begin organizing my hostel operations, financial, marketing, cleaning/maintenance, and managers manual into this index. This work starts January 1, 2013. We will provide an announcement when the initial draft is done so hostel owners can suggest additions to the list.
- Comments
12 years
yes please! great idea! i'm afraid i won't be able to contribute, but i hope to get to read the completed list and learn from it!
12 years
Hi,community! Lets start that list.
1. Location and Customer analysis:
1)What is the strong and weak characteristics of current hostel location and its distance from POIs (places of interest: museums,sightseeing,BaReCas,clubs)? Ex: City center - can be positive as party place and/or negative as noisy area.
2)Who are your target / potential customers and what are their ? :Backpackers, Flash packers, Trackers, With Kids, Pets,do they need car park
3)..........
2. Hostel Layout analysis:
1)Number of beds (sleeping places) and types of "rooms". Ex: 10 beds per room/ 6 beds per room etc.
2)Where is reception desk? Ex: Is it joined with "Common room"
3)..........
12 years
Thanks Workshop:
Continuing your list
1. Location and Customer analysis:
1)What is the strong and weak characteristics of current hostel location and its distance from POIs (places of interest: museums,sightseeing,BaReCas,clubs)? Ex: City center - can be positive as party place and/or negative as noisy area.
2)Who are your target / potential customers and what are their ? :Backpackers, Flash packers, Trackers, With Kids, Pets,do they need car park
3While considering #2 above, how will customers arrive at your location. Will public transport serve them?
2. Hostel Layout analysis:
1)Measure rooms and estimate number of beds (sleeping places) and types of "rooms". Ex: 10 beds per room/ 6 beds per room etc. Guests prefer, and most municipalities require windows. However, in some locations mechanical ventilation and artificial light is now allowed (think capsule hotel).
2)Where is reception desk? Ex: Is it joined with "Common room" For security, it's generally preferable to have every guest pass by reception. For a social atmosphere it's preferred to have the common room near reception and a layout such that guests much pass through common room to get to dorms.
3)
12 years
Hi guys,
I would like to add my contribution to this guide:
Bathroom:
Identify if you are going to work with ensuite rooms or shared bathrooms. If they are shared try spliting the Shower from the toilet and, if possible, the sink. This way you can have different people using them at the same time.
Hostelling International in Brazil recommends max 8 bed per bathroom, probably other countries have different standards, try looking for it. In my opinion 1 bath/8 beds works very well.
I`m Francisco Garcia, opening "Açaí Hostel" in Salvador - Brazil
Regards,
Francisco Garcia
acaihostel.com.br
11 years
How about the practical stuff: zoning, local by-laws, and provincial/national/state standards. Just to give an example: in Nova Scotia you have to have 1 full bathroom per 6 beds according to provincial regulations and they have to be on the same floor as well. Many towns allow hostels within residential zones, pretty much treating them as B&B's (especially if you plan to live there as well). So first thing to do if you want to start a hostel, after you have determined where you want to do this, is compile a list of these requirements and base the rest of your search around that list.
11 years
Hi guys,
does anybody knows the guidelines for separate bathrooms for male and female people? and the stuff does also need a separate toilette etc, doesn't it?!
Thanks for your help!!
Greets from Germany :)
7 years
If anyone hasn't yet heard of the Not So Hostel in Charlestown SC I highly recommend their website and video, plus their manager wrote a very detailed book for aspiring owners. Off amazing it was less than $20
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