A charming combination of homeliness and pocket- friendly prices has turned hostels from strictly-for-students to hip ’n’ happening accommodation. Ramona Depares gets the inside info.
In recent years, hostels have replaced B ’n’ Bs in the quaint and genuine category in the accommodation hit parade. Typically cheaper than your average hotel and boasting a more sociable vibe, their steady rise in popularity is hardly surprising, especially for solo travellers who place ‘hobnobbing with the locals’ high on their travel agenda.
But what marks the difference between an okay hostel and an awesome place that will have you raving about your holiday for years to come? The people behind three popular hostels in Malta share their insider tips.
Keith Montanaro and Trevor Diacono, owners of Hostel Jones in Sliema
“We opened shop a year ago – the idea was to provide a platform for art and creativity, while offering unique accommodation. But most of all, we wanted to create a welcoming ‘family Jones’ kind of atmosphere.”
Beware of crowded dorms without any airconditioning in the summer
This is how the duo describe their decision to make a foray in the more pleasurable aspect of the hospitality industry. Hostel Jones is, in fact, known for its strong touch of creativity, which Keith and Trevor say was the common factor that brought them together. “We love art and expression. As it turns out, that same spirit exists in all of us and we were lucky enough to have our friends and family including artists backing us up. They say that hostels tend to attract two types of guests; those who are there for the budget-friendly price and those who are there for the whole hostel experience.
“The latter typically want a place that is fun and cared for, accommodation that offers a strong feeling of community. They want somewhere you can walk into and make friends within seconds. With the atmosphere and vibe we have going, it is safe to say that we scored here.” But of course, it’s not just about the vibe. The hostel owners pride themselves on offering travellers the opportunity to stay “in the coolest house, on the nicest street right in the middle of the most central town, just two minutes away from a sweet beach”.
Well… when you put it quite like that… the attraction is easy to spot. And in Malta, they assure me, most hostel-owners tend to be as passionate as they are. Internationally? Well, there might be a couple of possible snags to watch out for.
“Speaking from experiences, we would advise you to never use a Jacuzzi at a hostel. And no, we don’t have one at Hostel Jones. Also, beware of crowded dorms without any air-conditioning in the summer – we do to have that problem, either.”
Of course, it hasn’t been all roses and champagne at the hostel. The worst part of the job? The one that is already over, Keith and Trevor tell me: dealing with MEPA, making sure that the building is compliant with all regulations and… “sorting out the drains and the greasetrap, and let’s leave it at that”.
http://maltahostel.com
Noella Abramovic, owner of Boho Hostel in St Julian’s
Noella decided to open her hostel in that most fairytale of ways. “It was a case of quit your job, buy a ticket, see the world. Kind of the tagline for the motivational posters you see all over social media nowadays.”
This was six years ago and, since then, Noella has not looked back. Not because she made a career out of backpacking, but because while backpacking she found her true calling.
Reviews play a huge part in the booking process
“I stayed in dozens of hostels that ranged from the good to the bad and the ugly. But I loved the experience, purely from a social point of view. Hostels inspired me and I came back with an idea, which evolved into a business plan and, a year or so later, into my first hostel, which was Hostel Malti.”
Today, Noella runs Boho Hostel in St Julian’s, which – as the name suggests – is as bohemian in style as it is in spirit.
“This is reflected in the guests it attracts. We get only the loveliest people from all over the world, mostly backpackers travelling solo. Everyone is friendly and there’s a wonderful feeling of community.”
Noella agrees that not all people pick a hostel simply because it’s cheaper. Her guests have counted members of what are perceived as higher-end professions, such as lawyers, architects and business people.
“They do it for the social aspect, mostly because they’re travelling alone and they’d like to know they can share a beer or two at night, with someone they’ll meet in the hostel. In the case of Boho Hostel, I would certainly say that my guests look for ambiance. Other hostels might be more centrally-located and will attract the tourists who want to be in the middle of it all, while others might be half the price but have no common areas, and so host those who really are on a tight budget. Different travellers look for different things.”
Boho Hostel, on the other hand, comes with quirkily set up common areas, whether in the shape of a hammock put up in between two trees for those who want to chill out, or a BBQ and beer corner for the guests who prefer to socialise.
“I also ensure that the hostel is kept super-clean throughout the day, which is usually not a priority for your average hostel being that showers and kitchens are communal and get dirty quickly. Most people don’t really expect them to be constantly clean, but I like to go the extra mile. I also offer my heart and soul and time, and consider the hostel to be my baby, rather than my business. I suppose this then reflects in all the love and detail I put into it.”
As for tips for those who are searching for just the right hostel, Noella says that the internet is their friend. Reviews play a huge part in the booking process, so her advice would be to go through the reviews on several forums / online booking agencies – “carefully, but also with a pinch of salt”.
“I am usually wary when I read reviews written by locals, who are friends of the owner and have only one or two reviews to their name. Other than that, I tend to stay away from hostels where the staff category gets low ratings. I know very well that staff plays a big part of the overall hostel experience. I also tend to steer away from hostels which cater for the masses, as I much prefer smaller hostels.”
In the meatime, Noella loves the fact that she is continuously meeting new people from across the world.
“With so many people checking in and out on a daily basis, you are bound to meet a few characters. I suppose my best experience in general is seeing friendships form between two or more strangers who just happen to meet at Boho and have a fantastic time together. And only last week, two guests who met at the hostel last year came back to celebrate their anniversary. It was a wonderful feeling, knowing the part that Boho Hostel played in their relationship!”
www.bohohostel.com
Kristoff Diamantino, owner of Hostel Malti, in St Julian’s
Being a traveller himself, travelling the world and staying in places that facilitated interaction with like-minded people almost immediately is what inspired Kris to create Hostel Malti in 2010.
“Back then, there was a lack of real-life hostels on the island. I like to think that Hostel Malti was the first on the island. The idea was to have a home away from home in a 200-year-old Maltese home.”
Kris says that people look for comfort and ambience, mostly, when it comes to hostels.
“This means common areas that allow for interaction with fellow guests, homely sleeping quarters and friendly staff. We have 40 beds, including private rooms and we know the names of every guest sleeping in them.”
Kris takes pride in the fact that the hostel’s standards have never once dipped throughout these five years.
“Being the first concept hostel in Malta, we created a standard. Naturally, competition soon followed and this ensured that the standard was maintained. Extras that don’t usually exist in hostels, but that we offer, include a jacuzzi, a roof terrace bar and a barbecue area, a yoga area with 180º seaviews and wifi that works.”
As for things to be wary about when booking a hostel, even here the online reviews and ratings make an appearance: “Be wary of low-rated hostels, reviews are usually quite accurate.”
The hostel has allowed Kris to experience a lifestyle where he can meet, interact and foster a genuine friendship with people from all over the world, every day.
“I wake up excited to learn something new from the ever-changing guests who step through our door. I have found a job I love doing – an experience I’d love to share with everyone. To give you an example, I met our design and marketing guru Brendan McDonnell after he was a guest at the hostel in March last year. Now, he runs the brendanmcdonnell.com blog.”
One thing that has not helped, however, is what Kris describes as the ‘traditionalist views’ of the hostel’s neighbours.
“Not because of a lack of compliance with Maltese laws on our behalf, I hasten to add. But because some of the neighbours haven’t been very open to change. It has taken a long time for them to warm to the concept of a real-life hostel in Malta. But finally, after five years, they seem to be coming around.”
http://www.hostelmalti.com/