Traveling is expensive, and when you’re in your 20’s and living on a budget, it can sometimes feel like a luxury you can’t afford.
Traveling is expensive, and when you’re in your 20’s and living on a budget, it can sometimes feel like a luxury you can’t afford.
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a friend who will let you crash on their couch, or brave enough to sleep on the questionable stained sheets of a motel, sleeping accommodations on a budget can be difficult to say the least.
But a growing trend in the nation could bring an end to the hotel conundrum here in RVA. Hostels -a budget friendly hotel which provides dormitory sleeping, common areas and community kitchens – are found everywhere, and soon enough here Richmond.
The appeal of a hostel is the community atmosphere it promotes. Generally used by the younger generation, hostels are great opportunities to meet people while traveling and share a living space for a low cost.
Hostelling International USA is a non-profit organization founded in 1934. The organization currently operates 65 Hostels across the country, in locations including New York and San Diego.
Richmond was selected as a location for their next hostel because of the vibrant and historical surroundings. And as a complement to the newly created Washington D.C. and Harpers Ferry Hostel according to Dominic Petruzzelli Vice President for the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast region of Hostelling International USA (HI-USA).
HI-USA bought a building on 7 North 2nd St., formerly the Otis Elevator Building, and are converting it into a hostel to hold 60 guests at a time.
Located downtown, the building is within easy walking distance to local attractions including Shockoe Bottom and Brown’s Island.
“The building really compliments the idea of convenience for our travelers,” said Petruzzelli. “Access to an urban and metropolitan area, access to community features, I think it was just something that just fit all of those requirements.”
Another unique quality for hostels is the opportunity for guests to meet and engage with the community and other travelers. “We pride ourselves on exposing folks to the world and its people. The advantage of coming to a hostel is getting to understand these public travelers and getting to understand the community in which you are traveling to,” said Petruzzelli.
The Richmond location’s design will represent the Richmond’s historic past with a chic and modern flair.
They hope for the project to be done in time for the 2015 cycling race.
“It’s going to be a fantastic place and we’re looking forward to welcoming the community of richmond to the hostel and welcoming travelers to the community of Richmond,” said Petruzzelli..
