![]() Hostel Fish, which opened in 2015 in the historic Airedale Building in Denver, features rotating artwork on its walls and hosts monthly art socials where visitors can get to know local artists over wine. Many Colorado hostels are more upscale and artistic than what you might initially imagine when you think of hostels, a trend that even has its own nickname: “poshtels.” ![]() Most people come here with an open mind, and it’s that instant camaraderie.” Hostels have great common spaces where you can meet people and go skiing together. “The high Rockies are crazy expensive, and we get a ton of solo travelers who just don’t want a super expensive hotel room. “Because we serve so many skiers and snowboarders, we really see a wide range - I’ve seen 60- and 70-year-olds sitting at the counter drinking coffee with younger people,” she said. Since opening The Bunkhouse in 2016, owner Nancy Richards has hosted visitors from all walks of life at her 40-bed hostel in Minturn, eight miles from Vail. They’re attracting visitors of all ages, from all over the world. Though many Colorado hostel guests are indeed in their 20s and 30s, these aren’t the so-called “youth hostels” of years past. “I wanted to create a space with a summer camp vibe where people from all over the world could meet and build friendships and expand their world views and share in experiencing all the best of Colorado,” Welch said. Welch hopes to soon launch a program that will encourage guests to volunteer with local nonprofits in exchange for hostel discounts and other perks. Regular social gatherings including movie nights, drum circles, yoga, bonfires, hikes and volunteer outings. Guests can retreat to their private or shared room or hang out in the shared kitchen, work space, lounge and backyard. Since September 2018, visitors to Colorado Springs have been staying at the ColoRADo Adventure Hostel, a 1950s-era motor lodge motel that owner Erin Welch converted into a 51-bed hostel. “For so long, we have served the traditional family vacation and groups and conferences, and that’s very similar to the other properties in Estes Park, so we spent some time really thinking and figuring out what would work best for those solo travelers who are looking to meet people, rather than just come up with their family or do their own thing,” said Kellen Toulouse, a spokesperson for the YMCA of the Rockies. Hostel guests also have access to all the amenities of the massive YMCA, including dozens of daily activities ranging from archery to rock climbing. Now, there’s an affordable place to stay for travelers exploring Estes Park’s vast array of outdoor recreation options, from mountain biking and fly-fishing in the summer to snowshoeing and backcountry skiing in the winter. RELATED: North Denver’s first boutique hotel and hostel opens next year - and it wants to compete with Airbnb prices Along the Front Range and in the mountains, hostel owners say they’re filling a void for travelers who are exploring Colorado on their own, visiting on a budget (nightly rates tend to range from $30 to $200, depending on the room type) or just want a more social experience than a hotel or a vacation rental. Long popular in Europe, South America and beyond, hostels are now catching on in Colorado, with many new sites opening within the last five years - and a new boutique hotel and hostel in the works in LoHi. I’ve learned that I enjoy being in a more openly social environment, not just limited to your own space and room.” Normally, I travel by myself and I don’t let that stop me from traveling. ![]() I’m very outgoing, so staying in a traditional hotel, that really limited me. “I never thought I would’ve liked this type of setup, but it’s been great,” said Maiden, a 35-year-old wine consultant who lives in Houston. He continues to visit Denver regularly for long weekends and has met people from all over the world at Hostel Fish. Admittedly, he felt a bit uneasy - it was his first time staying in a hostel - but the amenities, planned social events and friendly fellow travelers won him over. On his next trip here, he took a chance and walked into Hostel Fish, a modern hostel in LoDo. ![]() But something was missing.Īs a frequent solo traveler, Maiden realized his trips lacked the social interaction he craved. On his first visit to Denver several years ago, Tony Maiden stayed in a downtown hotel and had a great vacation. Thursday, October 12th 2023 Home Page Close Menu
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |