prior experience
Start a Hostel
To those of you who have opened up a hostel already- or those currently in the process, what prior experience did you have?
what have you done in the past to get you to where you are?
I'm looking into opening up my own european Style Hostel in NYC -the location itself is hard enough - the cost, need, etc... but even worse is i don't have hospitality experience or general management experience. Where do you suggest i begin, before i open up my own hostel? Working front Desk isn't really an option as i wouldn't be able to live on the starting wage. Currently i am a customer service/sales support superviser for a financial organization. which is some experience, but definitly not enough.
- Comments
17 years
no one have a response? :(
I've worked in and with hostels for about 6 years, but haven't opened one yet. I think it's a good idea to work in at least a couple of hostels before opening one.
Many hostel workers are transient and generally not hard workers. If you go into hostel jobs with a positive attitude and actually treat them like serious jobs (despite the low pay) you will probably be promoted sooner than you expect.
17 years
I've worked in and with hostels for about 6 years, but haven't opened one yet. I think it's a good idea to work in at least a couple of hostels before opening one.
Many hostel workers are transient and generally not hard workers. If you go into hostel jobs with a positive attitude and actually treat them like serious jobs (despite the low pay) you will probably be promoted sooner than you expect.
I've emailed pretty much every hostel in nyc offering to even work for free... and not one positive response :(
i can try working at a hotel, but somehow i don't think that's the same.
17 years
Working in and running a hostel are not the same, but it atleast gives you a good idea. Even if you can't find a job in a hostel, see if you can volunteer in one or two a day or two a week. Once you get to know the owners and they see that you are a moviated worker then you have a better chance of finding a job. Try to find a smaller hostel outside of the city so you get a more personal experience.
I made friends with a hostel owner which is how I started in the hostel world. After a few years I was able to take over the bussiness (she had ran the hostel for 8 years and was burned out, so it worked out well for both of us).
I have no idea how to run a large hostel, but even a small hostel is a lot of work. Just make sure that you are able to enjoy what you are doing and don't burn your self out (the privious owner of my hostel ran the place with no employees for 5 years).
I am lucky, and have one amazing employee. She came to my hostel as a guest two years ago and fell in love with the hostel and town. She comes back for a few monthes each summer. I don't know what i would do without all her help!!
If you are ever in Alaska, come work at my place for a bit!
Cheers! Holli;)
17 years
Running your own hostel is actually easier than you might think. I had no experience in hostels nor had I ever stayed at one until I decided to open mine and I went and stayed two nights in various hostels to see what I liked and didnt like and designed mine accordingly. The first year I asked guests for feedback on the hostel and made adjustments based on responses. Trust your instincts and you can always learn as you go.
17 years
what did you do before you opened your hostel? how did you get themoney to finance it?
17 years
I had spent 12 years in the military and 2 years in private security prior to opening the hostel. As far as financing, I went through my bank. If you are looking to get started with little up front money, you only option would be to look for owner financed properties. You would still need at least 5% down (unless the property is in really bad shape), but that is a lot easier to come up with than the 20 - 30% a bank will want. The worse shape the building is in, the more likely that the owner will work with you. If you can do basic repairs like painting, carpet, ect... then that is the way to go. Dont think you have to have all improvements complete in order to open. I was still doing work on this building when I opened and the guests seemed to appreciate the fact I was working to make it better. Have the building create some cash flow first then the money is not coming out of your pocket.
17 years
a few questions Anthony-
what type of building did you buy?
how much renovations/changes to the building did you make?
how did you decide on the location? what is your location?
how long have you been in business?
how many beds do you have?
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