4Hoteliers
SEARCH
SHARE THIS PAGE
NEWSLETTERS
CONTACT US
SUBMIT CONTENT
ADVERTISING
Poshtels: A new combination of values.
Friday, 26th May 2017
Source : Dean Minett

Dean Minett at 4Hoteliers.comThe race for new concepts in hospitality is nowhere near the finish, it’s a constant interplay between professional and accessible, private and social, comfort and economy; 

It’s not all about the mattress anymore, it’s about delivering the right experience to the people who want it.

All things considered, it’s a game of values. Because if there’s one thing the last ten years have taught us about the industry, it’s the importance of pulling apart values and putting them back together in interesting ways.

The share model (or the sentiments behind it) has been the most obvious catalyst. Less than ten years after the launch of AirBnb, the hospitality landscape seems irrevocably different. Hotel managers and investors are trying, like never before, to pick apart their values and re-combine them to greater effect in order to re-attract customers..

Poshtels are recent evidence of the push for new hospitality models and concepts. The word itself is a play on hostels (rather than hotels), and it’s easy to arrive at the ‘definition’ by looking at common reasons for not staying in a hostel.

  • Messy bunkbeds occupied by strangers
  • Cramped communal spaces
  • Unprofessional housekeeping practices
  • Careless, untrained staff
  • Rowdy clientele

So if you woke up one morning with the realisation that hostels were an outdated model that needed fixing, poshtels would be the solution you’d come up with. Make it architecturally interesting. Give the design (both exterior and interior) a lot of thought. Make it stand out. Do away with cramped, awkward spaces.

Create bright communal spaces that work well for socialising, relaxing, even putting in work hours. In dormitory rooms, give the beds and interiors a hotel-quality sheen. Add private rooms to attract guests who would never book a bunk. Serve up dishes with local ingredients. Display local artwork on the walls. Throw in a rooftop bar and a gift shop with branded merchandise. Definitely bring housekeeping up-to-speed.

Congratulations, you now have a poshtel. And you’re not alone. In fact, there’s already a good deal of competition out there, depending on where you are

Here in Melbourne, one property that could be called a poshtel (few properties actually embrace this word) is Base Backpackers in St. Kilda. On paper it almost looks like an ordinary hostel. You have dormitory beds from $25 AUD per night, and private rooms from $75. You have lounge and TV areas, a pool table, a stash of boardgames. But you also have a full-time housekeeping team. You have a bar. You have smart looking spaces, crisp and well-designed. You have yoga classes, city tours, pub crawls. In fact, you have a combination of values that many boutique hotels are already trying. You have values that AirBnb champions openly:

  • A more communal and local feel.
  • A blend of professionalism and accessibility.
  • A way to connect with new people and with the surrounding community.

Arguably, the only difference between poshtels and some of the more innovative boutiques is the option to sleep in a communal room. In that sense, the values behind poshtels are what we hoteliers want to focus on, in order to sharpen our understanding of the industry today.

When we consider the general movement toward experiences, social connections, and multi-functional spaces in hotel design, hostels already have a lot of strengths. They offer a sense of adventure, of not knowing what your day is going to look like from beginning to end " and of course, having extra money for other things.

But it all breaks down when professional standards aren’t kept. When people feel like they can’t get a good night’s sleep, or the walls are too thin (a perennial complaint against hostels), or the cleaning is inadequate. This is also the weakness of many AirBnb properties, and frankly, many hotels. Too much adventure and not enough professionalism. A combination of values that doesn’t hit the most important notes.

The word “poshtels” surged in 2015, appearing in articles all over the web. There’s a good chance it, like flashpacking and glamping, will go away with time; but as a combination of values, it’s worth studying and understanding. Your property might be a boutique, a hostel, a chain hotel, a condo, or anything in between. In all cases, searching for the right values is vital. It’s a race that’s arguably never going to end.

Dean Minett - Director | Founder
Graduating first from William Angliss Institute in 1982, Dean took on his first General Management role at the age of 22. Since then, he has worked in, managed or consulted to hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants and casinos across Australia and Asia.

This industry longevity and breadth of experience gives Dean an unparalleled edge in his work with owners, operators, developers and purchasers of accommodation hotels, serviced apartments/residences, motels and restaurants as well as general Management consulting.  Dean applies these skills, knowledge and experience to support clients throughout the entire engagement process and, through his extensive network, connects them to the right people and opportunities.

Offering a full range of services to executives in the hotel and hospitality industry, Dean provides expert advice on development and operations as well as training and outplacement coaching.

Dean is also a published author, writer and proud family man whose commitment to service and results really is unsurpassed in the industry. 

www.minettconsulting.com.au

 Latest News  (Click title to read article)




 Latest Articles  (Click title to read)




 Most Read Articles  (Click title to read)




~ Important Notice ~
Articles appearing on 4Hoteliers contain copyright material. They are meant for your personal use and may not be reproduced or redistributed. While 4Hoteliers makes every effort to ensure accuracy, we can not be held responsible for the content nor the views expressed, which may not necessarily be those of either the original author or 4Hoteliers or its agents.
© Copyright 4Hoteliers 2001-2024 ~ unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved.
You can read more about 4Hoteliers and our company here
Use of this web site is subject to our
terms & conditions of service and privacy policy