What Euro Hostel did next…

06 Jul 2007

From its very inception in 2000, Euro Hostels Ltd has lead the field of budget accommodation, setting new standards in the budget hotel sector. The first Euro Hostel was opened in Glasgow to cater for the increasing number of visitors to the city. As the largest hostel in Scotland, Euro Hostel successfully bridged the gap between backpacker and low cost hotel accommodation, something it prides itself on to this day.

Previously, the word hostel conjured up a myriad of negative connotations, of dirty and uncomfortable living arrangements, frequented only by a handful of passing backpackers. Since opening, Euro Hostel has consistently gone against the grain of common assumptions and expectations by providing a high quality service to accommodate all. We continue to educate the general public as to what the modern day hostel is really all about. Setting new trends and not following them, Euro Hostel sees every spectrum of the population pass through its doors; these include backpackers, conference delegates, sporting groups, stag & hen parties, school groups, concert goers and families.

Over the years, Euro Hostel has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds on renovation and development ensuring complete value for money for any visitor. With the birth of Ryan Air, Easy Jet and a number of other low cost airlines in recent years there has been a substantial growth in the popularity of budget travel. By defying conventional hostel expectations, Euro Hostel Glasgow has become the preferred choice for people on a weekend away or short city break. The hostel has the widest selection of room types available in comparison to any other hostel, every room is en-suite, the price includes continental breakfast and the entire hostel is accessible by wheelchair with bathrooms and rooms specially designed for full disabled access. To ensure customer safety and peace of mind the entire hostel had an electronic key card system installed, preventing any non-residents from getting past the front door! For further peace of mind and reassurance, the top floor of the hostel was declared a "No Man's Land". The entire floor is reserved exclusively for female travellers and is fitted with full-length mirrors and other creature comforts. Hostels are renowned for their fun and relaxed atmosphere, so it will be of no surprise that Euro Hostel Glasgow has television & Chill Out areas on two separate floors as well as a bar, "Osmosis". After opening in 2003 with a 24-hour licence, the bar soon earned itself the reputation as one of the city's favourite pre-club bars, where locals and visitors alike could mingle.

Euro Hostel Glasgow continued to break the mould by offering residents various discounts to take full advantage of and enjoy during the course of their stay. Half price luxury gym passes, free wi-fi and free pool during the day are just a taste of what the hostel currently offers its residents. In the summer of 2006 the Euro Hostel launched its "£1 bed night" campaign, offering dorm beds for a mere £1! Further special offers and deals were formed with some of Glasgow's and Scotland's most reputed tour companies, clubs and bars to ensure customers were pointed in the right direction and were in safe hands on their travels or exploration of the city.

Although open for only seven years Euro Hostel Glasgow has already been refurbished on two separate occasions, something many in the hospitality industry consider to be unheard of. The modifications were deemed necessary in order to ensure the property consistently met customer satisfaction and demand. During 2003 the hostel was refurbished entirely and additional features added including a commercial standard kitchen, for free use by our guests. In 2006 further refurbishment saw the formation of additional double rooms that, along with twin rooms, were fitted with televisions. "Osmosis Bar" was fitted with additional large screens and televisions to cater for its increasing popularity with sports enthusiasts. The bar's growing popularity within the community of Glasgow was later reflected in its selection to be an official venue for the Glasgow Comedy Festival.

The hostel's popularity and success is not measured purely by the number of satisfied customers that walk through its doors. In 2005 Euro Hostels became proud sponsors of the South Side football Club and entered into a three year agreement with University of Strathclyde Sports Union and were named as an official sponsor. The support leant to the union included funding for all team leisure wear, discount accommodation for visiting teams and more importantly, the opportunity to aid the Strathclyde Sports Union in their pursuit of sporting excellence.

In 2005, Visit Scotland awarded Euro Hostel Glasgow 3 *'s, a privilege that cemented the company's reputation as a leader in providing first class hostel accommodation and hospitality. The company's philosophy is reflected by its staff who continue to provide a first rate service. Their knowledge of the city means they can pinpoint all major attractions as well as the more off-beat sights, making our guests stay at the hostel all the more enjoyable.

Over the years lessons have been learnt and gambles have paid off and Euro Hostels has its eye set firmly on the future. Using the knowledge obtained from running the Euro Hostel Glasgow, seasonal operations were opened in Edinburgh and Newcastle. Both were huge successes, so much so that now concrete plans are in place to open a permanent property in Newcastle, one of Britain's most exciting up and coming cities. It is also hoped that a permanent Euro Hostel will open in Edinburgh as well as all major cities in the UK and the continent of Europe.

Despite its well-earned reputation as a leader in budget accommodation, Euro Hostel Glasgow refuses to rest on its laurels. Current business ventures in the pipeline seek to build on the service already available. Managing Director, William McClelland hopes to continue to raise the bar by introducing a self-service check in, much like what is already available to airline passengers. The less known option of voice activated secure check in systems are also being explored. In the same vein of the "£1 bed night" Euro Hostels plans to maximize the potential of the internet and launch various schemes where customers can bid for the price of their bed, in a similar fashion to E-bay, further reducing the price of their stay at the hostel. To build on customer satisfaction, the hostel also hopes to build on their relationship with various tour companies and offer tourists the opportunity to buy an all-inclusive Euro Hostel Holiday Package, which provides travel, accommodation, excursions, food and drink for a reasonable price. More immediate plans include providing free wi-fi throughout the hostel, opening a nightclub which along with "Osmosis Bar", will provide regulars with a loyalty card that ensures free or VIP entry on selected nights and discounts at the bar. For the more extreme traveller keen to enjoy the great outdoors, seasonal camping sites, Euro Camp, that aims to provide the same high quality service, with the added bonus of being able to escape the city completely, are in the pipeline.