Budget hotels in Europe might lose their popularity in future as new and improved hostels become more comfortable while keeping their low rates. According to a report published by HVS London, the difference between budget hotels and hostels is disappearing, and today many hostels become an alternative to hotels. HVS even forecasts big merges and takeovers in the industry, and the takeover of Meininger by Cox & Kings is just the beginning.
Currently, hostels in the UK are mostly represented by such brands as Motel One, CitizenM and Tune. Even though these are limited-service brands, their popularity is growing, and so we can expect new openings across Europe. Improved quality or facilities and service make hostels popular not only with their target auditory, students, but also with larger customer base, including young families and corporate travellers.
On the other hand, due to safety restrictions and local planning peculiarities, many hoteliers are forced to open hostels that look like budget hotels. For example, over a half of rooms in Generator’s hostel in Berlin Mitte have double beds and en suite facilities.