Funding gives UK hostels a chance to spruce up their welcome mats

Living on-the-cheap may soon feel a little less so—at least in the UK, where the Youth Hostel Association has grand plans for the next year: to invest in the renovation of its hostels. £13.5 million to be exact.

That’s real change in the air:
12 hostels have already been upgraded
37 hostels will receive £13.5 million
77 more hostels have been identified for renovation
35 hostels will close

£4.3m alone went into the recently opened hostel in central London, which includes 294 beds, a travel counter, and cafe/bar. Up next: re-opening of the Manchester hostel, expected in April; and new hostels in Eastbourne and Lewes in early 2009.

These changes come after a national survey of the 161 YHA-owned and -operated properties in the UK, which identified the needed improvements. What specifically? According to YHA spokesperson, Paul Fearne “We are breaking down lots of the large dormitories to create private rooms, many of which will be ensuite. Many hostels will have licensed bar areas, where we will sell local ales and organic wines, and there will be a full meal service, with locally sourced ingredients.”

With all of this information, I have to wonder:
• Is this the end of dorms if the hostels are converting a lot of them into private rooms? YHA maintains that plenty of dorms will still be available.
• Was it really necessary to shut down 35 hostels? I would’ve liked to have seen more stay open.
• In the relatively basic environment of a hostel (we’re not talking Four Seasons here), a little money goes a long way. I’d be curious to know more about how it improves the traveler’s experience.

But no need to look a gift horse in the mouth—however the money got here, whatever the improvements, I, for one, am pretty happy to see them.