What The Hosteller does

The Hosteller, founded in 2014 by Pranav Dangi and headquartered in Mumbai, operates India's largest backpacker hostel chain, with 75+ properties spanning 50 destinations across 13 states. Its core offering is budget dormitory and private-room accommodation starting at ₹324/night, delivered through a direct-to-consumer model via thehosteller.com and a proprietary Glu mobile app that handles contactless check-in, booking management, cafe ordering, and service requests. The company has built a multi-product ecosystem around this core, including Workation packages (7-28 nights at 15% off), Colive long-stay co-living (30+ nights with no deposit or broker fees), a four-tier Membership loyalty program (₹999-₹4,999), an Events and experiences platform, in-house vegetarian Myngl Cafés, and the premium Bam hostel sub-brand with properties in Goa, Rishikesh, Jaipur, Lonavala, and other destinations. Operations are supported by cloud-based property management technology and a content-and-community marketing approach across Instagram, YouTube, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Threads.

The Hosteller monetises primarily through nightly accommodation revenue, supplemented by recurring streams from Colive, Workation, Membership wallet credits and cashback, per-person event bookings (₹99-₹6,499), and in-property F&B transactions. Reported performance includes Rs 15 crore in monthly recurring revenue, 60% year-over-year growth in FY25-26, 66% portfolio occupancy, and 25-30% operational margins, with 2M+ lifetime travellers hosted. The company is venture-backed by FAO Ventures, CA Holding LLP, V Cube Ventures, V3 Ventures, Blacksoil, PROMAFT Partners, ITI Growth Opportunities Fund, and Merisis Wealth Trust, having raised approximately $26.5M in total across a $1M pre-Series A (2021), a $4M Series A (2024, $22M post-money), a Rs 48 crore Series A extension (November 2024), and a Rs 150 crore Series B (April 2026). It is actively developing an AI-powered travel super app to integrate accommodation, F&B, transport, and itinerary planning into a single platform, with plans to expand to 25,000 beds within 36 months and enter Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia by early 2028.

Name

The Hosteller

Legal name

The Hosteller Hospitality Private Limited

Website

https://thehosteller.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Hosteller is India's largest backpacker hostel chain, operating 75+ properties across 50 destinations and serving budget travellers, digital nomads, and co-living residents through budget accommodation, workation packages, long-stay colive, a membership program, and an in-development AI-powered travel super app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Budget Backpacker Hostel Accommodation

NAICS

Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (7213)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Traditional Dormitory Hostels (THAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Boutique/Design Hostels (THAMAIAD), Quiet/Work-Friendly (Digital Nomad) Hostels (THAMAIAF)

Keywords

• Backpacker hostel chain
• Budget accommodation
• Co-living spaces
• Workation packages
• Travel hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Mumbai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hostel Accommodation: Core revenue stream from dormitory beds and private room rentals across 75+ properties. Pricing varies by location, room type, and season with dynamic pricing through direct website bookings.
2. Workation Packages: Long-stay packages (7-28 nights) at 15% discount vs standard nightly rates. Includes accommodation, high-speed Wi-Fi, and dedicated workspaces for remote workers and digital nomads.
3. Colive Stays: 30+ night co-living packages offering fully managed accommodation with utilities included (electricity, water, Wi-Fi, housekeeping). Monthly pricing with no security deposit or brokerage fees.
4. Membership Program: Four-tier membership (Roamer ₹999, Explorer ₹1999, Voyager ₹3999, Wanderer ₹4999) with wallet credits, booking discounts (5-12.5%), cashback coins, and exclusive perks. Valid 6-12 months depending on tier.
5. Events and Experiences: Curated local experiences including treks, day tours, adventure activities, cultural events, and community gatherings. Priced per person or per car (₹99-₹6,499 per experience).
6. Food and Beverage (Myngl Cafe): In-house vegetarian cafe at select properties generating additional per-transaction revenue from meals, beverages, and snacks ordered via Glu app.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Hosteller operates India's largest backpacker hostel chain with 75+ properties across 50 destinations in 13 states, selling dormitory beds and private rooms under the flagship The Hosteller brand and the premium Bam sub-brand. Revenue is supplemented by Workation (7–28 night work-friendly) packages, Colive (30+ night co-living) stays, a four-tier Membership loyalty program, on-property Myngl Cafe food and beverage service, and a curated Events and experiences platform, all bookable through the proprietary Glu mobile app and thehosteller.com.

Product overview

The Hosteller operates as a multi-product hospitality platform built around its core backpacker hostel brand. The flagship The Hosteller brand provides budget accommodation across 75+ properties spanning 13 states in India. Premium positioning is handled through the Bam sub-brand with enhanced amenities. The product portfolio extends beyond accommodation to include Workation (workation packages for 7-28 nights), Colive (30+ night co-living), a Membership loyalty program with four tiers, and an Events platform for booking activities and experiences. The ecosystem is supported by Myngl Cafe for food service and the Glu app for guest operations. The company also operates sub-brands Glu, Unbox, and Bam as part of its portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bam: Premium hostel brand under The Hosteller umbrella, featuring upscale amenities such as pools, smart rooms, and elevated design inspired by traditional Kat Koni architecture. Properties include Bam Bir, Bam Jaipur Hawa Mahal, Bam Goa Calangute, Bam Lonavala Tiger Point, Bam Dehradun City Centre, Bam Rishikesh, Bam Vagamon, and Bam Coorg.

Products and services

• The Hosteller (Backpacker Hostel Chain) India's largest backpacker hostel brand offering dormitory beds and private rooms with Wi-Fi, common areas, in-house cafes, and social events for young budget travelers exploring 50+ Indian destinations.
• Bam (Premium Hostel Sub-brand) Premium hostel sub-brand offering higher-end accommodations with enhanced amenities including swimming pools, smart rooms, and elevated design aesthetics for travelers seeking upgraded hostel experiences.
• Workation 7–28 night workation package for digital nomads and remote workers offering high-speed Wi-Fi, dedicated workspaces, power backup, and a 15% discount versus standard nightly rates.
• Colive 30+ night co-living package offering fully managed accommodation with utilities, housekeeping, and community living, with no security deposit or brokerage fees.
• Membership Program Subscription-based loyalty program with four tiers (Roamer, Explorer, Voyager, Wanderer) offering booking discounts up to 12.5%, wallet credits, cashback coins, and exclusive perks.
• Events Curated local experiences platform offering guided treks, heritage tours, adventure activities, cultural events, and community gatherings at prices ranging from Rs 99 to Rs 6,499 per experience.
• Myngl Cafe In-house vegetarian cafe available at select hostels offering meals, beverages, and snacks, with ordering enabled through the Glu mobile app.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% year-over-year revenue growth in FY25-26
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Zostel: India's first and best-known backpacker hostel chain, operating dormitory-led properties across major Indian backpacker destinations. Directly comparable in core product (dorm beds, community events, budget pricing) and target customer (Gen Z Indian backpackers), making it The Hosteller's primary head-to-head competitor.
• Moustache Escapes: Indian backpacker hostel chain with properties across Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Kerala. Offers similar dormitory/private room mix, workation packages and community-driven experiences, targeting the same 18–35 budget traveler segment as The Hosteller.
• goStops: Indian hostel chain focused on budget accommodation for Gen Z travelers across 25+ destinations. Closely comparable on product format (dorms + privates), pricing tier and target demographic, positioning it as a direct competitor in tier-2/3 destinations.
• Hostelworld: Global hostel-focused booking platform serving the same backpacker customer segment. Comparable as a demand-side peer — Hostelworld aggregates inventory at properties like The Hosteller's, so it is both a distribution channel and a competitive alternative for traveler mindshare.

Broad incumbents

• OYO Rooms: India's largest budget hotel aggregator with thousands of franchised/leased properties across price points. A broader incumbent overlapping on budget accommodation but with a mid-scale hotel orientation rather than hostel/community-led product.
• Treebo Hotels: Indian budget hotel chain operating franchised mid-scale properties nationwide. Overlaps with The Hosteller in budget-conscious domestic travel but serves a different price point (private rooms, business/family travelers) rather than backpacker dorms.
• FabHotels: OYO-owned Indian budget hotel chain targeting value-conscious travelers with standardized private-room stays. Comparable on budget travel customer and pan-India distribution, though operating in hotels rather than hostels.
• Airbnb: Global alternative accommodation marketplace with growing India supply, especially in leisure destinations like Goa, Manali and Rishikesh where The Hosteller operates. Competes for the same experiential-traveler wallet share via private rooms and unique stays rather than dorms.

Emerging players

• Colive: Indian managed co-living company offering fully furnished shared living across multiple cities. Directly comparable to The Hosteller's Colive product on long-stay (30+ nights), no-deposit, all-inclusive positioning for young professionals and relocating tenants.

Others

• MakeMyTrip: India's largest online travel agency distributing hotels, hostels, flights and experiences. Functions as both a potential distribution partner and a competitive alternative for budget traveler discovery, particularly relevant for visibility into The Hosteller's direct-booking funnel.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thehosteller
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCt2wLLGyDNtUGvQBI20hk1g
• Facebookfacebook.com/thehosteller
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-hosteller-hospitality
• Instagraminstagram.com/thehosteller?igshid=N2ZiY2E3YmU=

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors21 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Hosteller