BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi All, I'm 51 and have spent most of my travelling life in Mexico and Guatemala. I've decided to move myself and my two dogs to Guatemala for the next half of my life. It occurred to me that there might be others out there who, like me, are still the young, budget traveller at heart,but who prefer quieter, less rugged accomodations, (especially as we say hello to the fifth decade.) I'm thinking of setting up a modest guesthouse, maybe 6 rooms max. Simple, comfy, quiet. Cost between $10-$15 nightly. Any suggestions/ideas/critque greatly welcomed. Thanks, Mary

Why not - sounds like a great idea. Is this something you've looked into extensively or is it just a pipe dream?, researched a market and what it might offer. Personally, I'd welcome a hostel that was perhaps a little quieter than the usual that I've been lead to believe can be quite noisy (haven't actually stayed in one yet but working on it).

You might be able to find more information if you search for "Bed and breakfasts." There are about a billion of them around here.

Anyhow, if you dont have folks that move in and camp out... your still free to travel! Wait for everybody to clear out, throw a no-vacancy sign on the door!

Got an opening yet? Where in Guatemala?

sounds good so far.

I admire your dream. I love hostels and like meeting folks of all ages. Though I've been to a few that were too much a party scene for me. I met a woman in Mt Shasta, CA who created her own hostel. I could see the happinesss it gave her and what peace she found giving back to her guests. I wish you luck and joy with this endevour. Please let us know when we can visit. Myrns

That sounds like an AWESOME endeavor. Please keep us all posted on how it's going. I'm sure you'd have several takers in this discussion who'd be waiting at your doorstep on opening day!

Thank you for your encouragement. I'd actually forgot this post from last winter. Currently I am packing the vehicle, ready to begin the adventure. Sold the house, donated the belongings ( how'd I ever accumulated so much stuff?) Should be leaving the States in about 10 days. We shall see...Thanks again. (if you know the name of the hostel in Shata, Id' like to go see it before I leave.)

Congratulations! Your are living something that most people only dream about. Let us know the name of your guesthouse and how it goes.

Best of luck!

Thanks People! I beginning to think this idea has turned from a dream into intention. I'll keep you posted! What Id like to see happen is the guesthouse serve as a cross cultural bridge with the artists of the area. I have some Guatemalan friends who are artists, writers, weavers and would like to have them come and meet guests, give workshops.lectures , etc. I know when I travel, I've enjoyed meeting locals and could get a real feel for the place I'm visiting. We shall see!

I agree with the others--GREAT IDEA! Let us all knwo when you get it set up. I would love to check out a hostel like you are going to set up.

This thread looks like it's worth keeping an eye on. I love your idea and sounds like you've got yourself some momentum, at least to look further into it. The idea of your friends running workshops for guests is inspired. That would be exactly the sort of thing I'd look for

Genius idea. So much so I may steal it one day

Good luck. Let us know when you open, I'll come and visit.

Any news from the OP? Has anyone heard if she's "launched" this idea yet?

This is a dream I share....
One day when I am done running around like a mad thing, I am going to open my own b&b/backpackers. I will not allow some of the extremely noisy youngsters I have had to put up with in Earls Court, London and Cape Town. Man, after a hard day walking, all I wanted was too sleep but the other folks had other ideas!

quote:

Originally posted by myrns:
I met a woman in Mt Shasta, CA who created her own hostel. I could see the happinesss it gave her and what peace she found giving back to her guests.

I stayed in that hostel in Mt Shasta in about 1995! Alpenrose Cottage Hostel. It was clearly a labour of love, with an 'all-seasons garden', and very good and sociable, but a bit quirky. I know she registered it under AYH, then withdrew it because it cost more than the benefit. I wonder if it is still there? It was the only hostel in the area, so it shouldnt be difficult to find.

Replying to myself: I just looked it up and found it is now run as a guesthouse rather than a hostel, but with the advantage of a kitchen /common room, and a deck with a fabulous view. Prices are not excessive ($40 per person in a double room).

i worked in management at a hostelling international hostel in a large, northeastern city for a year. i know some stuff. pm me.
zopa

We just set up a hostel in Sighetu in the North of Romania and this is our first year so we are a bit nervous about the whole thing.For us one of the major head aches is satisfying the lust of local beaurecrats for pay offs.They want to inspect everything and while i can appreciate the need for this in terms of safety and food hygiene some of the things they are intrested in are just stupid.The other problem is useless builders who just havent a clue but insist on doint hings their way,we already have to replace a chimney because they put it in the wrong place.
Never mind it will all be worth it if it works out and keeps us happy.
Rob