Demand for Safestay boutique hostels on rise

UPMARKET hostel operator Safestay said an increase in new customers and more ​repeat business from schools and colleges have led to a strong increase in revenue in 2014.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Apr 2015, 07:28 BST
The York Safestay hostel which is set in a Grade I listed building.The York Safestay hostel which is set in a Grade I listed building.
The York Safestay hostel which is set in a Grade I listed building.

The company, which operates ​two ​boutique hostels ​in York and South London, is about to open a new hostel in London’s upmarket Holland Park.

Safestay bought a Georgian mansion in York ​last May and ​refurbished the Grade I listed building ​in December​.

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Safestay’s chairman Larry Lipman said: “It’s early days for York, but it’s looking very encouraging. We’ve seen a very strong customer response.

“All three of our buildings are listed and enjoy very nice architectural features.”

Occupancy in York was 49 per cent for the seven months under the group’s ownership. The group has spent £300,000 refurbishing the York hostel.

A night’s stay typically costs less than £25 a night. ​The group said that bed ​​occupancy ​rose​ ​10 per cent in 2014​​, and revenue per available bed rose 2​2 per cent.

The next move for the group will be European cities and it is looking at Paris, Amsterdam, Milan and Barcelona, among others.

Related topics:YorkSouth LondonGeorgian