Start A Private Hostel Business - Business Ideas

Updated: September 15th, 2022
Start A Private Hostel Business

Please note that the data provided in this article are estimates and may vary depending on various factors, and should not be considered as perfect or definitive.

A private hostel is a residential premise or center set up by a private entity to accommodate paying guests on a rental basis for a fixed duration. Private accommodation for tourists and travelers can be a good option if you love meeting and hosting different people while creating a passive income from your business.

Setting up your own private hostel business takes a lot of planning. First, find the ideal location and check all the local zoning laws. Then, procure (buy/lease) a perfect building and equip it with beds and other accommodations for guests.

To attract business, network with tours and travel companies and advertise the business on social media.

Starting a private hostel business requires a great deal of effort, dedication, and most importantly passion.

If you're interested in how to sell private hostel, or selling private hostel online, you can use this page as a guide for everything you'll need to know.

Key Stats

market size
$5.2B
starting costs
$18.9K
gross margin
43%
time to build
270 days
growth
Organic social media
business model
Subscriptions
time investment
Full time

Startup Costs

Min Startup Costs Max Startup Costs

Equipment & Supply Expenses

$66

$1,200

Retail Business Expenses

$1,250

$11,650

Inventory Expenses

$350

$14,750

Advertising & Marketing Costs

$75

$9,636

Software Expenses

$0

$425

Website Costs

$13

$215

Total Startup Costs

$1,754

$37,876

Successful Businesses

Business URL Rank

UPES

upes.ac.in

34,538

zolo

zolostays.com

54,928

Homestay.com

homestay.com

164,020

The Freehand

freehandhotels.com

517,205

Safestay

safestay.com

755,160

EazyPG

eazypg.in

2,047,616

Youthvillehostel

youthvillehostel.com

2,347,554

myPatong Boutique GuestHouse

mypatong.com

2,758,181

Hostel One | Book Direct for Best Prices

hostelone.com

4,690,874

El Rio Hostel

elriohostel.com

5,505,036

Hostel Mykonos

hostelmykonos.com

7,420,396

Pros & Cons

Pros Description

Rewarding work

Starting a private hostel business can be really rewarding work. After all, you are solving an immediate issue for your customer and you're working on something you truly care about.

Meaningful business connections

You never know who you will meet as a private hostel business. This could be the start of an incredible business opportunity!

Daily physical activity

Private Hostel Business's typically involve a much greater degree of movement than other lines of work. Most days, you will spend your day walking, running errands for your business, and performing a multitude of tasks. This can have a positive impact on energy levels and your overall health.

Amazing perks and discounts

Working in the private hostel business comes with its perks! As a seller for these products/services, you typically also get to enjoy industry perks and discounts.

You are your own boss!

With starting a private hostel business, you are the one to make decisions for almost all of the operations. Calling the shots can be empowering and liberating!

Local Community

One of the best parts of starting a private hostel business is that you can develop a local following by selling your products at craft shows, farmers' markets, or even local storefront businesses! This gives you access to additional revenue streams and loyal customers.

Cons Description

Crowded Space

Competition is high when it comes to your private hostel business, so it's important that you spend a good amount of time analyzing the market and understanding where the demand lies.

Finding The Right Supplier

Most businesses in this space go the supplier/manufacturer route, which isn't a bad thing! However, finding the right supplier can take a lot of time, energy and trial/error. If done properly, this process can save you months (if not years) of time and energy. More on this below in the "finding a supplier" section.

Motivation of employees

If you plan to have a sales/content team on board, finding creative ways to motivate them can be a challenge. It's important that you're able to offer great incentives and a good work environment for your employees.

Low margins

The gross margins for your private hostel business are typically around 43%, which can make it more challenging to incur new expenses and maintain profitability.

High employee turnover

In the private hostel business, employee turnover is often high, which can be quite costly and time consuming for your business. It's important to try and avoid this as much as possible by offering competitive pay, benefits, and a positive work environment.

Taxes

As a private hostel business, you typically pay self-employment taxes which can be quite high. It's important to understand what you will be paying in taxes each year so you can determine if the work you're taking on is worth it.