In Part I of this interview we asked Josh Cohen, the man behind HostelManagement.com about him, his website and how it can be beneficial to hostels owners, and then taking advantage of his expertise in the field, we asked what is his definition of a hostel, and if hostels offering single rooms (Flashpacker ones for example) can be considered real hostels. We now continue asking Josh his opinion on hotels sold as hostels, the type of guests in hostels and their choices, and of course his point of view on the Flashpacking phenomenon.
The Tux in Backpack: What do you think of Hostel booking engines offering proper hotels in their results? And of budget hotels calling themselves hostels?
HostelManagement.com (Josh): I think that budget hotels calling themselves hostels is bad for real hostels. It doesn’t bother me that booking engines offer hotels, but they should more clearly distinguish hotels from hostels, and stop listing hotel prices as “beds” when the entire room has to be booked. Selling a hotel or motel room for “$50 per bed” isn’t fair to the solo traveler because the price is really “$100 per room” — or even “$400 per room” depending on the minimum number of “beds” that has to be booked. It’s impossible to know the actual price until you try to book the property.
hostel room or hotel room?
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