Hostel Territory

So we've set off to Barcelona to live the dream and open our very own hostel. We're keeping this journal online to keep everyone updated of our progress, adventures and mishaps navigating Barcelona's booming tourism industry, Spanish bureaucracy, and daily life in Catalunya.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Somnio Investigates -

The neighbors above us at Somnio have been hauling mattresses and ikea bund beds (identical to ours) up the elevator yesterday and today. A neighbor came to speak to Lee about the basic of opening a hostel a few weeks ago, but the conversation was brief and inconclusive. What does all of this mean? I'll keep you posted.

You know what they say about imitation....

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A few things to report today

1) Just posted a job listing, and we've had 27 responses in 2 hours. Not a new record but definitely a sign of the times.

2) Our cleaning lady just reported that the Mossos are all over our block and surrounding area indicating another big protest today. I haven't hear the helicopters yet.

3) In an effort to research our newly elected mayor, Xavier Trias the first non-socialist mayor in decades, I came across this article . I like what he has to say so far!

4) Pain in the Ash is BACK. This time it's a new volcano, Grímsvötn. 252 flights to Scotland and Northern Ireland have been cancelled so far. We have a few Scotish guests staying with us, so fingers crossed they can make it home in a few days.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

I´m baaaaack. Lee has not been a very good blogger in my absence. So there are a couple of major things to fill you in on! I´ve finished a year of my MBA at Wharton, and Lee´s off to INSEAD for a one year MBA program in the fall.

We (pretty much Lee) opened a new hostel in Barcelona last month - Hostel Duo. Hopefully we'll do a delayed grand opening party soon. It's only a few blocks up from Somnio, and it's opened to fantastic reviews. Someone just a few days ago wrote ¨I've stayed in other places and this was by far the best hostal experience I've ever had¨ That's what we're going for! Here are some pictures:





School was good this year. I kept busy with wine club and student government stuff. I brought a group of about 20 Wharton friends to Barcelona over spring break for our 4th annual Calcotada and some time in Barcelona including a trip to Penedes wine country.


Lee did a fantastic interview en espanol for a show called Tots els Matins on Radio L'Hospitalet a few weeks ago. You can watch and listen here http://digital-h.cat/c/journal/view_article_content?groupId=10911&articleId=3373934

Those are the big highlights from the past few months. I'll be in Barcelona all summer working at the hostels and preparing to hand over management in the fall when we both take off. We have a lot more employees now and an intern arriving in June! No big travel plans yet. I´m sure we'll have a few visits from Mom and Dad and other friends. We might finally make it to Ibiza and the other islands in July. Our cousin, Emily, is getting married in Arkansas in early August. It should be a busy summer!