10 ways to easily improve the experience of hostel guests

As a service providing business owner, you should be focused on bettering the experience of your customers. When you think of improvements, the first few things that may come to mind are some major changes.

But it doesn’t necessarily have to be this way (remember, you should always enjoy the little things in life).

We have made a list of some inexpensive and simple-to-implement additions for your hostel that will do wonders for you on additional value of your accommodation.

1. Welcome drink

When the guest arrives to your hostel you should offer them a cup of coffee or a drink. It’s inexpensive, but the guest will enjoy their stay better from the off. If there is a specific drink tied for your country/region, give them to it as a welcome note (for example, if they traveled to Russia, they would love a bit of homemade vodka).

2. Free WiFi

Don’t charge your guests for WiFi. They know that it doesn’t cost a fortune to set it up and maintain it and they will think of you to be cheap, so it won’t go down too well for you (and if you don’t have a WiFi network in your hostel, install it ASAP).

3. Lockers

Lockers, lockers, lockers. It’s incredible how many hostels are missing these. You can either order them at a small cost or even do a bit of DIY work. They are extremely handy and it makes a huge difference to the guests when they don’t have to worry whether something will happen to their stuff. And, of course, make them lockable (they are called lockers for a reason).

4. Bathroom utilities

Add some minor but useful tweaks to your bathrooms and changing rooms. For example, put some stands for the toiletries and add hooks for clothes to be hanged on so that they don’t gather dust on the floor. Also, if your changing rooms are big enough, put a bench so the guests could more easily change.

5. Whiteboard suggestions

Add a whiteboard in your common area and write on it suggestions for your guests what they should do for the day (update your whiteboard ideas daily). Do a bit of research if there is something special going on in your town or if there is a great bar nearby they should all go and visit. Hopefully, the guests will join in and add their own ideas to the board.

6. Book them a room when they move on

You can use hostel2hostel’s system that connects hostels around the globe to provide your customers with better service. On their last day of stay, ask them where they are going with a view to recommending them a new place to accommodate in. They will find this to be extremely helpful of you and you will make a profit off it.

7. Friendly staff

The attitude and friendliness should be one of the factors when hiring new staff (not just for the reception, but all of your employees). They should engage in conversation with the guests and not just answer questions. For example, when a guest comes back from town they should ask them how they spent their day and start a friendly chat.

8. Hostel library

This is especially useful if your hostel is in a town where it can rain for periods of time. If they opt not to go out on a grim weather, there should be a hostel library with books they can leaf through. Tip: don’t just stuff in some random books with questionable artistic value, make your choices rather thoughtfully.

9. Umbrellas

This relates to the point number 8. An umbrella is an accessory people seldom bring on a trip. On a rainy day, you can lend them your own umbrella (for a small or no fee) they can use for the day.

10. Gaming console

If you can afford one, put a PS or an Xbox in your common area by the television. It’s a great pastime and the guests can use it as a means to socialize with each other. A bit of shared fun for them and an addition to the hospitality for you.