citytours und ausflüge! - INHOUSE magazine

MR: How are guests taking to the
EdYOUtain concept thus far?
tl: They love it! We introduced
these various components, which
I mentioned earlier, incrementally.
Because believe it or not, there
wasn’t an instruction manual for
this sort of thing. Our boss was
obsessing over this nutty idea and
just told us, “Make it happen!”. So
we were faced with this huge task
with a plethora of unknown variables.
We started with baby steps
and developed a coloring book for
kids with our very own A&O story,
which families really enjoy.The
Photofunbox, which was recently
introduced, has also been a great
success. When word gets around
the hostel about it, we sometimes
see a line of people forming who
want try it out. It’s simply a terrific
souvenir from their stay in the city
and it’s free of charge! That’s the
core principle: your staying overnight
on the cheap so why would
you want to shell out the money
you saved for basic entertainment.
That’s why we are proud to offer
our guests karaoke and Wii parties
for free.
MR: I also discovered an A&O
library. Do people also use it?
tl: But of course! We always
notice people lingering around
there and some even get comfy
on the sofa for a good read. I’ve
also noticed that the bar is busier,
especially around noon. It’s always
easier to go sit in lobby with
a book in tow. A good book can
always lead to a chance encounter
or a good conversation, and at
the least it’s a fine way to relax.
Sonja, our front office manager,
is also our friendly neighborhood
bookworm and ensures there are
good titles available. That means
she regularly combs through the
flea market at Boxhagener Platz and
usually returns with a nice selection.
Even the staff contributes their
own treasures to the stockpile.
MR: Do you employ the „book
swap“ system?
tl: Yes, as a matter of fact, and this
practice is especially popular with
backpackers who can finish up a
book and trade it in for a new one.
School classes and smaller groups
usually just browse here and there.
Even the concept of book swap is
optional… if you want to trade in
your book then that’s great. But we
also understand if someone really
wants to finish a book, and so it’s
fine if they take it with them even
without swapping.
MR: Do you think that with the help
of EdYOUtain you can revive that
good old hostel vibe?
tl: Absolutely! EdYOUtain is key
– especially for A&O hostels that
aren’t as “hostel-like” as we are in
Friedrichshain – in creating a more
social atmosphere and quashing
the disturbing hotel norm
of stuffing guests into solitary
confinement with a window to the
world of television. The great thing
is, everything happens naturally
and we don’t have to do very much
at all now that the ball is rolling.
People are so enthusiastic about
discovering the various offerings.
The whole thing runs on their
positive energy. Certainly we
have a slight advantage being the
oldest running A&O house, and so
we have a lot to offer such as the
barbecue area, the beer garden
where people hang out day and
night, and even a volleyball field
where two players quickly turn
into ten people who were previously
strangers. These are really
fantastic social settings… So yes
to your question, EdYOUtain is definitely a step in
that direction.
MR: Okay, seriously now: Are people even still interested
in interacting with other guests?
tl: Without question, people are social creatures!
Surely there’s always a lonely wolf who goes about
speaking to no one and stubbornly works off their list
of city attractions. The majority does want to meet cool
new people and spend the evening playing kicker and
shooting some pool.
Groups are more open on one hand but also very involved
with their own crowd, and “backies” (backpackers)
are always checking out the various offerings and
usually all join together for something like a guided
bicycle tour, which you can book with us as well. And
lastly, guests are quickly acquainted when testing each
other’s culinary prowess and having fun in the A&O
guest kitchen.
MR: How do the Message Boards actually work?
tl: It’s actually quite simple. You just leave a message,
for instance, “Is anyone up for a jog before breakfast?
Then meet me at the reception at 7am.” Then
you just add your name and date, and wait and see if
someone replies. Down the road this should also work
“half-online”. If technology plays along, your message
will show up on the A&O website ensuring that more
people will see it. As of now we are still brainstorming
on this endeavor. If anyone has ideas or suggestions,
we‘re all ears.
MR: How will EdYOUtain evolve in the future?
tl: I believe the program’s future is bright and that
more A&O hostels will get involved. EdYOUtain is going
to be great! It was such an innovative idea, we just
had to make it real. The boundaries are limitless. The
program was developed by us and was a ton of work,
so it’s really nice to see the returns on this investment!
When I picture how we assembled the PhotoFun boxes
ourselves - no prefabrications - it reassures me that
we’re still potent with ideas, some so crazy we’ll have
to pull ‘em out of our hat.
10 I A&O InhoUsemagazine 11