Anne, what inspired you to set up a hostel over fifteen years ago?
My sister and I went travelling after university and just fell in love with hostel life. For us, hostels offered a kind of “on the road” accommodation that felt both comforting and exciting. “Comforting” in that a good hostel feels a lot like a home away from home, “exciting” because hostels helped connect us to so many new experiences and new people from all walks of life and cultures. We felt that we learnt a lot about what makes a great hostel so when the opportunity arose to open one of our own, we grabbed it and I have never looked back! I am so lucky to do something I love.
How would you describe the Clink Hostels DNA?
Clink is all about connection – to both people and to places. Everything we do at Clink centres around creating an amazing city experience for our guests and we try to take a creative approach to hostelling to achieve that. That starts with the buildings we choose and runs through the whole business – from the staff we hire, to the local knowledge we share and the events we put on regularly for guests. It’s all about creating those shared and memorable experiences that guests can take home with them, share with their friends and family and, hopefully, share with their grandkids in years to come!
We love your “Stay & Play”, “Stay & Create” and “Stay & Scribble” programmes. Could you introduce our readers to these great initiatives?
We love them too! These programmes fall under our wider “ClinkCREATIVE” initiative. ClinkCREATIVE was born out of the drive to really improve our offering for guests and to connect Clink to local and international artistic communities. Stay & Play offers up-and coming bands or musicians the chance to stay for free in exchange for playing a gig at one of our lively bars. Stay & Create is similar, but for artists, offering creative types space to paint or exhibit in the hostels – or host a workshop to share their talents with guests. Stay & Scribble is aimed at travel bloggers or aspiring travel writers who can either come and stay in exchange for writing a hostel review or travel piece about one of the cities. For more info and for anyone looking to apply visit ClinkCREATIVE.
In your opinion, how have the needs of backpackers/budget travellers changed over the years?
Honestly, I don’t feel that the basic needs of backpackers/budget travellers have changed all that much. The standard of hostels has improved dramatically (scary showers and smelly duvets are definitely a thing of the past!) so I think that backpacker/budget traveller expectations are higher. However, I do genuinely feel that, on a basic level, young travellers want what they have always wanted when they travel - accommodation that offers them safe, comfortable and cost-effective place to sleep that’s going to allow them to explore new places and meet new people. At Clink, we try to ensure those basic needs are always met, whilst simultaneously working on new ways to really engage with guests and improve their overall stay and city experience. In an age where young travellers are often attached to their mobile phone, trying to encourage real life connection can be a challenge! However, it’s something that we’re passionate about doing at Clink, and initiatives like ClinkCREATIVE are a big part of that.
Apart from Clink Hostels ;-), which other hospitality concept/brand surprises and inspires you?
Oh there’s so many out there that I’m constantly inspired by! I have always loved Kex hostel in Iceland, I find it fun and inspirational, and was fortunate enough to stay there two years ago. They do an amazing job of weaving hostel life into the local community and communicating their own unique personality. Design-wise, Michelberger in Berlin is a real favourite and I love their authenticity. Volkshotel’s event programme is really impressive and helps foster such a great atmosphere there. The Good Hotel in London (formerly in Amsterdam) has a real social mission - something I feel is important in creating futureproof businesses.
What’s in the Clink Hostels project pipeline? Are you planning to further expand Clink Hostels?
The plan for Clink this year is to work hard on refining our current offering to make sure that our vision for Clink really aligns with the experience that the guest has. We do plan to expand into Europe in the coming years, and with our new MD, Mark Fenelon at the helm, there’s lots going on behind the scenes in terms of planning new locations. Doing the groundwork now is important so that we can be confident in being able to deliver a streamlined Clink experience as we grow.
About Anne Dolan:
Anne found her calling in the Youth Travel business as a result of backpacking around the world. She knows that backpackers are always searching for that “something different”- a new place, a new concept, a new way of looking at the world - they are early adopters, risk-takers and brave. For her and Clink Hostels they are a constant source of inspiration and the reason she loves the industry that she’s in.
ke time for prosecco
Your blog beautifully captures the essence of what makes hostelling truly special. The emphasis on friendliness, passion, and creativity really sets the tone for an unforgettable experience. Thanks for sharing such inspiring insights.