From working in finances to owning and managing hostels

Sometimes one trip can become the seed of a bigger idea. That was precisely the case of Sergio and Aji Hostel in Santiago in Chile. 

In this interview, you will find out:

→ what’s the story behind Aji Hostel

→ three pillars of a top-notch hostel experience

→ their experience with FrontDesk Master

– How did you get into the hostel industry? What were the beginnings of Aji Hostel?

– It was 2004 when I was graduating from the University in Finances. I used to work in the insurance company, so it was all about finances, with ties – it was boring. 

So I took a holiday, took a car and went to the north of Chile. Then I went with a friend to Argentina, and there we stayed in a couple of hostels. This is where my whole idea started taking shape because in Chile, precisely in Santiago, the form of a hostel was totally different. It was more like a guest house, so it wasn’t about backpacking. 

This journey inspired me, and I didn’t want to work in finances anymore when I came back.

I talked with a few of my friends and agreed to create a hostel. 

So I found a house for rent that was possible for me to pay – I talked with the homeowner, she liked me, and she rented it to me even though I couldn’t prove to her that I would be able to pay off.

We started to do the renovations of the house, it ended up fantastic, and we opened a hostel in 2006. It was the 4th hostel in Santiago. That was also the time when tourism started to rise in Chile.

So that was the beginning – we didn’t have much knowledge about the industry, and we started with nothing.

– So you were learning by doing the work?

– Yes, I had no idea how to manage it. I knew the finances part but not the management. Though it’s not nuclear physics, yes, I learned a lot from the receptionists on the go. 

The first years were incredible. It was more about sharing with people and having fun than the business.

With time we were evolving and investing. In the beginning, we had 27 beds. Now we have a second house with 95 beds.

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

– I love people – this is my favorite thing about working in hostels and tourism. And my colleagues – we have an organization in Chile where we support each other and help each other out.

– What’s the key to the best guest experience? What are you doing in the Aji hostel for people to have fun?

– First of all, sustainability is vital for us. We have implemented solar energy, heat pumps for hot water, recycling, and we support organizations that protect flora and fauna. Today in the 6th year, we are the unique accommodation in Chile, within hostels, with sustainability certificate. We have three pillars in our hostels:

1. Sustainability,
2. Socializing – events, dinners for free, we create space for people to get to know each other.
3. Inclusivity – no discrimination, small things like it’s not allowed to make jokes regarding gender and ethnicity in our team.

A hostel where people are not socializing is not a hostel.

We keep it all local and home-feel like. We work with local people to make that possible. 

– What’s your experience with FDM and our team? How did it help?

– For me, it’s a super good system. All of my team is very satisfied – though until now, we were using only essential things: coordinate reservations, know who is in-house, and if people paid or not. This will change because now we have 96 beds.

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