Meet Thea Delamater of Ember Hostel in Capitol Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Thea Delamater.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Thea. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Ember Hostel is a boutique hostel in Denver. Ember is the 2nd hostel owned by Andy Ward. The first is Drifter Jack’s Hostel in Austin, Texas. I started working with Andy five years ago at Drifter Jack’s as the General Manager. Drifter Jack’s is the epitome of a traditional backpackers hostel: basic bunk beds and amenities, but thick with charm and atmosphere. I loved the grittiness of working at Drifter Jack’s. The building didn’t offer much in the way of amenities but the walls were covered with local street artists murals and it’s one of the most Instagram’d hostels in the world. Most importantly, it provides a real home away from home for so many travelers visiting Austin.

Yet, when Andy decided to open a second hostel in Denver, I jumped at the chance to move here. Andy’s vision for Ember was born from his travels abroad and what he saw as a real opportunity to marry the core of hosteling – a vibrant community of travelers – with a more upscale boutique atmosphere. Travelers who have experienced hostels understand the value of a built-in community, but that doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice luxury and five-star amenities. We’ve seen a huge increase in digital nomads and solo travelers, and Ember is fitting the bill for their travels!

Ember is home in a National Historical Registry mansion in Capitol Hill. The gorgeously remodeled mansion beckons you in with curated furniture and upscale design elements. We are closing out our 2nd year of hosting guests and we’ve been knocking people’s socks off (we find a lot of single socks left behind) with the accommodations, amenities and atmosphere! It’s been an awesome ride.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes, there have been struggles. Remodeling a 100+ year old mansion on the National Registry presented the majority of the struggles. But, the final product washes those memories clean. I never knew I had the capabilities to operate as a Construction Manager, but after nine months of doing the job, I can feel confident putting that on my resume.

Please tell us more about your work
I am the General Manager and responsible for the daily operations. As an independently owned hostel, we operate with a skeleton crew. Under the GM umbrella, I also act as the Human Resources Manager, the Social Media Manager, the Revenue Management Manager, the Facility Manager and the linen folder, hahah. It keeps me busy! Most days I can also find myself filling the role of House Mom – the group’s protector. There’s never a dull day.

My most important responsibility is curating a team that can provide indulgent guest service 24/7/365. I get to work with some of the most adventurous, outgoing and kind people. A hostel without an inclusive, engaging atmosphere is nothing more than another lodging house. Yes, we have five-star amenities – free espresso, luxurious linens, privacy pod bunks, and 12 person hot tub (yes, we’ve seen upwards of 20 people soaking before) – but it’s the community that our guests rave about.

I will always be proud of the role I’ve had in developing Ember Hostel into Denver’s highest rated hostel. I’ve managed to cultivate an atmosphere that is a safe haven for travelers, explorers and even misfits. When guests enter Ember, they are given the opportunity to belong to a group of like-minded citizens. Like the saying goes, “So much of who you are is where you have been.” Travel and hosteling provide unique opportunities to meet people from all pockets of the earth. It opens our eyes to the true human experience. We just want to be a part of that journey with our guests.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory is playing Balderdash with family and friends. The table would be surrounded by a family who brought new and old friends to join. We would laugh hysterically at each other’s nonsensical definitions. My family did this so often, people from all parts of my life have fond memories of board game hysterics around the table. It’s something you see often in hostels, board games. It’s a great way to break the ice!

Contact Info:

• Address: 857 N Grant St, Denver, CO 80203
• Website: www.emberhostels.com
• Phone: 303-942-1633
• Email: info@emberhostels.com
• Instagram: EmberHostelDenver
• Facebook: Ember Hostel

Image Credit:
All photos property of Ember Hostel. Cannot be reused or reproduced without permission.

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