Hostel in Wicklow Town

I have a friend who is thinking of opening a hostel in Wicklow town. Business should be steady in the summer but they are hoping to pick up some MTB trade in the low season.
What makes a great hostel?
What makes a great MTB hostel?
Is it close enough to Ballinstoe?
Do people travel to ride Ballinstoe
Some thoughts would be great please...
Thanks,
Luke

A secure lock up for the bike's is a big plus i think Luke

If he goes to Wicklow town, I suggest a mini bus. he could then bring people to ballinastoe,gledo etc at an extra cost of course. this would suit walker/mtb'ers alike.

I wouldn't just focus on Ballinastoe, there are nearer trails around Ashford, if I was him I would do a lot of research into ALL the trails nearby and advertise trails guides on the website.

For me I would be looking for -
Potential trail guides
Secure storage for bikes
A room to work on them
Hot showers

Then think about novelty items, packed lunches, shuttlebus, anything to give him the edge.

Where is it in the town, as far as I know there is only one hostel there at the moment and that is on the Murrough, about 10-15 mins walk from town?

you can't put unnofficial trails on a website , you flute. Coillte will have a conniption, how long have been at this now!!
However there would be nothing to stop a smart person from organising unnofficial guiding ( this has been done already)
People travel from Northern Ireland all the time to ride Ballinastoe. try mtbrider.com, them lads actually travel to Kirroughtree all the time for day trips.
Theres definitely room for a MTB friendly Hostel.
My Friend Kaz of Glendo Estate is planning all this with his Scarr Bike Park and Hostel..

I know, I meant advertise that does trail guides.

Great stuff lads, keep the comments coming...

whilst i'm totally against it as a "sport" he should probably cater for walkers, you should see the amount of non-geriatrics suiting up in their gators and 35litre backpacks (with walking poles!) in the carpark in glendalough at the weekends... it's not just old people (who probably wouldn't stay in a hostel), there are loads of youngish people, who would stay in hostels, that "walk"
eugh, stupid past-time but if it helps ur mate.......

Hey, walking is a great way to find new places for spins or to build trails.

Thoughts on hostel:
- Room for parking is going to be important, especially if a key target customer is the mtber going to Ballinastoe, he/she is going to be driving up from Wicklow Town, not riding! Same applies to walkers etc.
- Place should feel warm and comfortable. A homely feel counts for a lot, for example Shiplake Mountain Hostel near Dunmanway is cosy, the Glendalough International Hostel is comfortable and well appointed but doesn't feel that welcoming in my opinion.
- Cleanliness is vital, no one likes a grotty hostel. I remember one in West Cork where you turned on the shower and what came out was green. You want your punters to recommend it to everyone, build up a good reputation, not a bad one. Unlikely to be an issue when first opened, but needs to be considered in the longer term.
- Beds must not be saggy - again a long term thing.
- A well appointed and clean self-catering kitchen.
- Is he planning to offer a catering service? Or just self-catering? The former can open up possibilities for groups that wouldn't otherwise be attracted - e.g. I spent a weekend in Knockree recently with a group of 29, there were 2 other groups there - one was a load of trainees about to go out and work in Alpine ski resorts for the winter, the other was some young wan's birthday party. Both groups were using the catering service at the hostel. If this isn't an option, maybe a partnership arrangement with a nearby pub or restaurant to cater for the hostel punters?
- If the aim is to get a lot of mtbers and other outdoorsy sorts, how about a sauna and/or hot tub? Might be the sort of thing that people will remember about the place and help generate more business, provide a unique selling point.
- Bike wash?
- Secure bike parking as mentioned earlier in the thread.
- Not sure how you go about this, but make it as easy as possible to find all the relevant info - directions, facilities, pricing etc - on the web, maybe even online booking.

Beer & easy chicks.....pizza

I use hostels while abroad quite a bit and a few things spring to mind:

• A good comfortable common area where guests can mingle with each other with access to simple board games etc. ( not in a tv room )
• A well kitted out kitchen where guests can self cater
• Private rooms for couples, doesn't really matter how small they are as long as they are private. Ensuites are even better.
• A breakfast provided option, even if it is just continental with good coffee goes a long way when staying in hostels.
• A book swap area is very popular with international backpackers who always have a book that needs to be exchanged.
• Multilingual staff, always nice to meet someone when traveling who speaks your language better than you do theirs.
• Cleanliness and service over price everytime.
• For the bikes, the obvious lockup and wash up area also a drying room for kit.
• On site laundry facility.
• As much local knowledge as possible.

Hope this helps a little.

Shane

Thanks for all that, what kind of rates do you expect to pay for a bunk or own room?
Are mountainbikers willing to pay a bit extra for all the facilities?