How Goodmorning Solo Traveller became a better hostel during the pandemic

Goodmorning Solo Traveller hostel is undoubtedly a unique place on the map of Lisbon.

“You didn’t think it was possible but, the best hostel in Lisbon (Hostelworld award 2020) came out of COVID even better than it was before.”

So we’ve asked its owner, Benedita, to shed some light on what makes it unique and how they managed to keep the hostel atmosphere in the pandemic times.

 – How did you get into the hostel industry? What were the beginnings of the Goodmorning Solo Traveller Hostel?

– Totally unforeseen. Everything started with a talk with my son, who told me he wanted to sell his own hostel. Why not? It was a decision taken in 5 minutes. After some time after working in the hostel, I thought, “who runs one can run two,” and then I bought another hostel close by and changed its name to Goodmorning Hostel. After some time, I sold Goodnight Hostel to be able to focus only on Goodmorning Hostel.

– What’s your favorite thing about working in the hostel industry?

– Being 65 years old, it keeps me updated with new technology and new ways of life.

– What do you know about your work now that you wish you’d known when you first started?

– Everything! I knew nothing about the industry. Fortunately, I had extraordinary help from the Staff who was working in the hostel at that time.

– Literally, all your hostel reviews mention the amazing time guests had. What’s your secret to always making your guests happy?

– We have one motto. “Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend,” And we do everything we can to make it happen. Forbidden word: “NO.” 

– It wasn’t (and still isn’t) easy to maintain a hostel atmosphere post-covid. Yet, your recent reviews show that guests still have fun and feel safe in Goodmorning. Could you tell us a bit more about your All-inclusive offer and what else you have done to keep the hostel atmosphere and ensure that your guests feel safe too?

– When reopening after the first lockdown, people felt unsafe even to go grocery shopping. That’s what made us think of a way to avoid it, as well as having several guests cooking at the same time. That’s when the idea came up. We offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and unlimited beer and sangria between 6 and 11 pm. An all-inclusive rate can be added either to the whole stay or can be bought day by day, although at a different rate. It is now a great success, and we have lots of guests asking for it.

– What’s your experience with FrontDesk Master and our team? How did it help in your business?

– We changed our system to FDM some years ago. It helped a lot with all the ease and simplicity. What I and the team value the most is their quick answer to the problems that appear and constant improvements after clients’ suggestions.

See how easy it is to manage your hostel with FrontDesk Master