Our Hostels, Our Regions - January 2012

Martha’s Vineyard Named Friendliest Hostel in the World!

Hostelling International (HI) recently announced the best hostels in the world according to their customers.  Hostellers who rated their 2011 stays via hihostels.com named HI-USA’s Martha’s Vineyard Hostel the friendliest hostel in the world!   This year’s winner is lauded both for their delicious pancake breakfasts, and a hostel staff that is continually described as kind, attentive and extraordinarily helpful.  Congratulations to all the staff on this charming island retreat, especially managers Donny and Mike!

Boston Hostel On Track For Spring Opening

The HI-USA Transition Board toured the Boston project site in December 2011.

The HI-USA Transition Board recently viewed the exciting progress on construction of the new Boston hostel.  The 450-bed facility will be the first LEED certified hostel in the country, with a green roof, green elevator, and solar hot water heating.  The project was recently featured in Green Lodging News.

Construction remains on track for an April 2012 opening.   Omar Roldan joins the team in January as Maintenance Chief, bringing 16 years experience in hospitality maintenance.  A Marketing & Sales Director and Director of Operations are also being recruited. 

In December, new electrical transformers were installed, and in early January two new energy efficient passenger elevators that operate via green energy technology will be completed.  Also in January, the construction team will install a system for collecting rain water and dispersing it back into the ground water table, rather than being sent into the city sewer system.