Saintlo Hostels | Youth hostels 2.0

A wind of renewal is blowing through Quebec’s youth hostels. The Saintlo collective wants to focus on the charm of youth hostel experiences while raising its level of quality and modernizing its brand image. A look at a refreshing initiative.

Upon entering the inn in downtown Montreal, you immediately realize that there was no question of changing a winning formula. The atmosphere is friendly, young travelers greet each other, smiles are welcome.

“We want to offer more than a bed and a good night’s stay,” says Eva De Narkevitch, marketing coordinator for Saintlo hostels. We offer quality accommodation, but also an experience. For example, in Montreal, we have an experience creator who is there to provide a social side, an experience, to ensure that travelers interact with each other and even with hostel employees. For example, we will offer group skating near the inn and community dinners to really bond travelers together. I think that’s what people are looking for, especially after the pandemic: connection, living experiences and meeting people. »

The Ottawa hostel, set up in the former prison renovated at a cost of more than $500,000, should also eventually count on a creator of tailor-made experiences for the federal capital, while the four affiliated hostels already offer activities tailor-made to their customers. “We have an extended family with the Rivière-du-Loup inn, the Sea Shack in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, Griffon Aventure in Gaspé and the Auberge de la Secousse in La Malbaie,” M tells us.^me From Narkevitch. They are member hostels, so we do not own them, but they have the same intentions as us, the same values. »

While nearly 60% of the Montreal hostel’s clientele comes from abroad, this proportion decreases in the hostels in eastern Quebec, she tells us.

Combining affordability and quality

“Our initiative stems from a desire to break away from a somewhat traditional model,” continues Eva De Narkevitch. The goal is to create a brand that is vibrant, a colorful, dynamic, young, caring brand. That said, we are in a constant concern for innovation and improvement to always remain modern because yes, youth hostels are a cheaper choice of tourist accommodation, but that is not why we skimp on quality. We want to offer accommodation with good value for money. »

To keep prices consistent, but also for the sake of sustainable development, the Saintlo hostels have established close links with local social economy companies, particularly for furniture and bedding, which have also recently been renewed.

In Montreal, places in ten-person dormitories are available from just $37 per night, and each room has its own full bathroom. All the rooms have been renovated, same for the bathrooms. Community work spaces have also been set up, particularly practical for travelers staying for an extended period – a 25% discount is offered for stays of more than two weeks in single or shared rooms, normally priced at $150 per room. overnight stay.

There are also rooms in all hostels suitable for small groups or families – because yes, they are welcome. “Indeed, it is not because they are called youth hostels that they are reserved for young people,” Eva De Narkevitch is quick to point out. Our target is 18-35 year olds, it’s really towards them that we will direct all our communication and marketing efforts, but we welcome all kinds of people. What we want to offer is above all sociable, local, caring accommodation, so families are welcome. Everyone is welcome in a youth hostel. »