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Hostel Quality Standars

Hostels Rules:

No curfew. Guests should at least be given a door code or key if they want to stay out late without worrying about getting locked out of their hostel. Experiencing the nightlife of a culture can be as meaningful as daytime activities guests should be able to stay out late if they choose without worrying about getting back into their hostel.
No lockout. The only exception would be for very small hostels that have to close during the day because they can't afford have even one employee on duty during the day.
Allow check-outs until at least 11:00. Guests don't like being rushed to leave in the morning. It's ok to ask incoming guests to wait until later in the afternoon for their bed to be ready.
Never wake up sleeping guests. Guests should never be woken up in the morning by playing music over speakers or by a staff person coming into the room to wake them up, especially guests who aren't checking-out that day.
If possible, avoid large school groups, long-term guests, and an overwhelming number of families, older travellers, or other non-backpackers that tend to detract from the fun social atmosphere backpackers want from a hostel.
After check-out, guests should always still have access to the common areas for the rest of the day.

Friendly staff. Nothing matters more than having friendly, welcoming, informative, tolerant staff—even when dealing with difficult guests.
Prompt communication. Answer emails and return phone messages within an hour during business hours.
Be understanding about delays and travel problems, and offer at least a partial refund if a guest is legitimately unable to arrive for their reservation
Provide clear directions to your hostel. If some guests still have trouble finding it, improve your directions.
Accept credit cards, or if not make sure guests are warned in advance that credit cards aren't accepted since the acceptance of credit cards is expected at hostels in most parts of the Spain.
if the reception isn't 24 hours, make sure guests are told during what hours they can check-in (and provide alternative arrangements for a late arrival if necessary).
Have maps, bus schedules, and travel information available.
Have snacks, drinks, basic toiletries, padlocks (if needed for lockers), and earplugs available for sale
Have a suggestion box for anonymous suggestions/complaints.

Provide a fun, comfortable, social, inviting social space. Backpackers stay in a hostel because they want to meet other backpackers, so a social space that encourages interaction is crucial for any hostel.
The common areas should be open 24 hours, and ideally should be separated from the sleeping areas so that noise isn't a problem.
Provide books, board games, video games, etc.
A TV is optional, but if there is one it shouldn't be the entire focus of the social space. If there is a TV, have movies available.
Offer social events—movie night, club night, BBQs, free walking tours, group museum trips, etc.
if the hostel is too small to have hostel staff guide a group, at least post a suggested daily activity and a meeting time for guests who are interested in going somewhere as part of a group.
Interesting paint colors, a quirky decorating style, art, murals, and maybe even a theme help to make the environment more fun

Mixed dorms. There isn't any reason to have separate male/female dorms. Mixed dorms allow for more social interaction and add to the fun of staying in a hostel. Some females may possibly prefer having a female-only room available as an option.
Rooms should have a clock, and a dim nightlight to let people find their way around the room at night while people are sleeping without flipping on the overhead light. A dim reading light at each bunk is also a nice option, and having A/A or a small fan is also a nice add on.
While dorm rooms should be the primary room type, it's a plus if a hostel can also provide some private rooms as a secondary option.
Free lockers in the room, but otherwise in the common area. Lockers big enough to fit a backpack are preferred.
Bedrooms, bathrooms, and the common space should have plenty of power points (outlets) for plugging in laptops and other items. Power points in or near lockers are especially useful for charging gadgets.

Provide liquid hand soap and paper towels for hand washing.
Showers with 24 hour hot water that put out a decent amount of water with temperature control, and a water control.
Showers must have a soap dish or shelf for toiletries and a changing area with benches, a table, or at least some hooks... somewhere to put clothes where they won't get wet
Bathrooms should be cleaned regularly and kept free of mold, hair, etc.
Sufficiently bright lighting at the mirror area and sinks with hot water

Hostels are generally expected to provide a kitchen for guest use.
Have tableware, pots, plates, bowels, cups, and supplies like basic condiments, cooking oil, etc., available.
Provide plenty of refrigerator and pantry space, cleaned out regularly.
Guests should be expected to wash their own dishes, but not all of them will, so the hostel should expect to have to clean up after those who don't.
Kitchen should be open 24 hours—post a sign with "quiet hours" if noise is a problem.
Offer recycling bins—backpackers tend to be environmentally conscience.
Offer free breakfast with at least bread/toast, jam, cereal, coffee, and juice..

Internet computers ideally should be free, or otherwise offered for a reasonable fee
Free wireless internet (never charge guests for Wi-Fi). If the hostel already has an internet connection, adding a wireless internet router costs almost nothing, so hostels with an internet connection should be expected to provide free Wi-Fi. It doesn't need to work from the rooms, just having it in the common area is fine.
Lockers should always be free for guests (but it's ok to sell padlocks if needed for the lockers).
Provide luggage storage after check-out in a supervised area.
Bed sheets should be free or very cheap, and have towels available, either for free or a small charge.

Send us an e-mail and we will send someone to check it out, if the result is affirmative you will be listed in few days.