Report

Table arrangements at large hostels

General Hostel Operations

Josh started this discussion 16 years 2 months ago

Any thoughts on table arrangements at large hostels?

Some of the bigger hostels have rows of square cafeteria tables arranged in neat rows. It seems like a good way to fit a lot of people in one room, but I think this kind of design is a bit sterile:
example of the style (not a hostel; just an example)

One hostel I've been to had chairs like this bolted into the floor facing a TV:
http://www.alivenotdead.com/attachments/2008/06/35751_200806221520075.thumb.jpg (photo of a bus station)

Comments

Report

uktrail

16 years

Yes, that example is a bit cramped and sterile. But a brightly-lit room for eating, and tables for spreading maps out on, are not a bad idea for one of the common areas. Those tables are better than small tables-for-4, which are typical of breakfast rooms in many hostels, especially YHAs, and which are very anti-social. At those larger tables, you can casually sit down at the other end from other guests, and strike up a conversation, whereas at the 4-person tables, you have to have some nerve to sit down with a stranger if other tables are currently empty.

Report

Josh Hostels

16 years

Maybe it's not the table arrangment that I don't like, but the sterile atmosphere. Maybe if there were more colorful walls, or tables that had more character? The photo reminds me of a government run school cafeteria. I can think of a couple of hostels that had that kind of atmosphere.

I think this kind of setup is friendlier (Kabul Hostel) -- but it may be the decoration more than the table arrangement:
http://images.hostelworld.com/images/hostels/722_1.jpg

Report

gordo

16 years

we have a few wooden picnic tables all in a line between the bar and the windows, a stage with couches and coffee tables, a few more couches in a big group at one end of the bar, and a few tall tables with stools around them. works quite well when we dim the lights and put a few candles around.

the kitchen area needs a bit of work... its not bad, just kinda slapdash. its not a problem and tehres always people in there cooking/drinking/talking but id kinda like to work on it. no big ideas yet.

our hostel is, admittedly, about as far from sterile as you can humanly get (for better or worse :P)

Report

Josh Hostels

16 years

ok... I'm going to revise my initial post :)

It probably has less to do with the arrangement of the tables (in rows) than with the interior decoration style...

Search form

Report 'Table arrangements at large hostels'?

Report 'Re: Table arrangements at large hostels'?

Report 'Re: Table arrangements at large hostels'?

Report 'Re: Table arrangements at large hostels'?

Report 'Re: Table arrangements at large hostels'?

Join the world's largest community of hostel professionals.

Check Your Email