Does anyone know which one is/was the first independent hostel which wasn't HI hostel at all?
We all know that it was Altena Castle as the very first youth hostel by Richard Schirrmann, but what about the very first independent hostel which didn't belong to Hostelling International?
IMHO it has opened during the sixties-seventies, if there is anyone reading this post who have traveled the Hippie trail, or have any further info (guidebook, uncle, dusty travel journal on the attic) it would be appreciated to share it on this forum.
15 years
Oldest independent hostel?
All I know about is that, at the Gomio meeting in Interlaken 2 years ago, Mr Balmer claimed that his hostel was the first independent hostel in Europe. 1970s I think.
I've checked Balmer's website, which says:
BALMER’S with its friendly service, warm atmosphere and over 60 years of experience makes it possible to enjoy the area, and all it has to offer, in comfort and as trouble-free as possible.
That would date it to before 1948...
15 years
I remember reading a newspaper article around 15 years ago that said that a hostel on Lake Street in Cairns (Australia) was the first hostel to call itself a "backpackers". I'm not sure which hostel it was or if it is still in business.
Centaur House on Magnetic Island had long claimed to be the oldest hostel in Australia. It started in 1947 offering holiday hostel accommodation for nurses but opened to the general public in 1963. About a year ago it changed management and it is now called Arcadia Beach Guest House and it is now run as a guesthouse rather than a hostel.
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