Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Ilg.
Hi Jim, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
We first got our start in the Golden Triangle by getting pushed out of our prior location further downtown by the City of Denver through Eminent Domain.
This lead us to our current property in the Golden Triangle area of Denver. In 2007 we decided to fully commit to the Hostel as a whole and navigate the paths that that decision lead us down.
It has been a very bumpy ride and we have gone over so many potholes along this wild journey, but we are here and so grateful for the people and talent that has gotten us this far. It is a true testament to all of the help that we have received along the way from a very wide variety of people.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been and never will be smooth, only sometimes a tiny bit less bumpy.
The main things that we can see that have risen since we started are, the American peoples concept of a Hostel is shaped by old bad operators, horror movies, and the desire among most Americans of personnel space and an unwillingness to share outside themselves. Educating the majority of Americans on the benefits and freedom of community travel is a major hill to climb.
Another thing that has been a struggle is the number of international travelers, as of this time, has not returned to pre-COVID levels. The government restricting international, and domestic travel has caused us to adjust our target customers and find new customers in new markets. We have to adapt or perish.
The market constantly changes, regulations constantly change, customer appetites consistently change, I guess everything changes and you have to figure out what you are doing next to compete.
We’ve been impressed with 11th Avenue Hostel, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The must know items are that we are a native to Colorado, small family owned and hands on operated business. We seek to offer the highest level of service in what is typically the most basic lodging market segment. We are not to be compared to a national chain, we are not like anyone else, we don’t have a ton to offer, but what we do have to offer we try to make that the best you can find.
We offer a clean, safe, and economical lodging option in Downtown Denver with very limited services. We don’t pretend to be something we are not.
I hope that we are found by our customers to be the best at our little Hostel.
We have been ranked by TripAdvisor for over 2 years now, as the best Hostel in the crowded Downtown Denver lodging market. That is 173 total other lodging choices customers have, so we don’t take that lightly.
That is a very hard mark to achieve, and one very easy to loose. Our staff has worked very hard at achieving that high mark,and I am so grateful for their hard work and dedication to get there. They are the stars in that whole equation.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can contact our marketing team for collabs, content, and marketing ideas, however we know our size and limits and work to “stay in our lane”. We have a big heart, tons of ideas, and a bunch of things we want to do but all in good time.
To support us, please if you are timid at trying out a Hostel, give us a try and get out of your comfort zone and explore us as an option on your next stay in Downtown Denver.
You will be pleasantly surprised.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://11thAvenueHostel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/11thavenuehostel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/11thavenuehostel/
