LyLo
LyLo is a modern pod-based hostel brand under EVT, operating four properties across New Zealand and Brisbane with on-site F&B, coworking, group bookings, and an integrated campervan rental sub-brand targeting backpackers, solo travelers, digital nomads and groups.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersAuckland, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What LyLo does
LyLo is a modern hostel/accommodation brand operated under Event Hospitality & Entertainment (EVT), offering pod-based sleeping units, private rooms and ensuite accommodations across four operational properties in New Zealand (Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch Airport) and Australia (Brisbane), with two additional Australian locations (Gold Coast and Fremantle) announced as coming soon. The brand is built around proprietary self-contained pods featuring COMFI mattresses, USB charging, personal lighting, fans, privacy screens and dedicated lockers, paired with digital self check-in/out and, at select sites, self-pour bar systems using room-key tab management. Pricing is positioned at the affordable end of accommodation — single pods from NZ$39-49/night in NZ and AU$61/night in Brisbane, with private ensuites and group pod rooms at higher tiers — and a 10% direct-booking discount (LYLO10) is used to drive lylo.com conversions alongside multi-OTA distribution on Booking.com, Expedia, Hostelworld and others.
LyLo monetizes through three primary streams: nightly accommodation revenue across pod and room tiers, on-site food and beverage (Miss Lucy's Bar in Auckland, rooftop bars in Queenstown and Brisbane with self-pour systems), and campervan rentals via the LyLo Road Trips sub-brand, which bundles indoor-kitchen-equipped vans with freedom-camping capability and offers complimentary LyLo stays for 15+ day rentals. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, with heavy emphasis on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook community building, social events (trivia, BBQs, yoga, games nights), a Mates We Rate referral network across UK, Netherlands, South America and Southeast Asia, and competitions such as the Ultimate NZ Road Trip giveaway. Sub-products LyLo Play, LyLo Work and LyLo Groups extend the core accommodation into social/entertainment, coworking (with a Work + Travel program in Auckland), and group bookings for up to 12 guests respectively, targeting solo travelers, backpackers, digital nomads, groups and families across the Australasian backpacker corridor.
LyLo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LyLo
- Legal name
- LyLo
- Website
- https://lylo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- LyLo is a modern pod-based hostel brand under EVT, operating four properties across New Zealand and Brisbane with on-site F&B, coworking, group bookings, and an integrated campervan rental sub-brand targeting backpackers, solo travelers, digital nomads and groups.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LyLo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Budget Hostel Accommodation
- NAICS
- All Other Traveler Accommodation (721199), Recreational Goods Rental (532284)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Capsule & Pod Hostels (THAGAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Campervan Rentals (Class B / Converted Vans) (THADAIAA)
Keywords
Where LyLo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Auckland
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices6 records
Markets served
LyLo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Accommodation Revenue: LyLo generates primary revenue through nightly pod and room rentals across its properties in New Zealand and Australia. Room types include single pods, pod rooms (groups), private rooms, and ensuite rooms at varying price points per night.
- Food & Beverage: On-site bars and restaurants at LyLo locations including Miss Lucy's Bar in Auckland, rooftop bars in Queenstown and Brisbane, and self-pour bar systems. Revenue from food, beverages, cocktails and craft beers.
- Campervan Rentals: LyLo Road Trips generates revenue through campervan rental services in New Zealand, with vans featuring indoor kitchens, freedom camping capabilities, and comprehensive outdoor equipment packages. Bookable through lylo.com.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Pod - Budget solo accommodation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pod Room - Group pod accommodation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Room - Ensuite accommodation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LyLo Road Trips Campervan Rental |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
LyLo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LyLo operates modern hostel/accommodation properties offering self-contained pod sleeping units, pod rooms, private rooms and ensuite rooms across locations in New Zealand (Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch Airport) and Australia (Brisbane, with Gold Coast and Fremantle announced). Properties feature communal kitchens, social spaces, on-site bars and restaurants (including Miss Lucy's Bar and rooftop bars with self-pour systems), coworking facilities and a curated events program. The offering is extended by LyLo Road Trips, a campervan rental service in New Zealand, providing a complete travel accommodation ecosystem for budget-conscious travelers, backpackers, groups and digital nomads.
Product overview
LyLo is a modern hostel accommodation brand operated by EVT (Event Hospitality & Entertainment) offering pod-style sleeping units, private rooms, and ensuite accommodations across six locations in New Zealand (Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch Airport) and Australia (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Fremantle). The core product is LyLo Accommodation, supplemented by LyLo Road Trips (campervan rentals for New Zealand exploration), LyLo Play (social activities and events), LyLo Work (coworking facilities), and LyLo Groups (group booking services). Each property features communal kitchens, social spaces, and wellness amenities, with some locations including on-site bars like Miss Lucy's in Auckland.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LyLo Road Trips: Campervan rental service offering self-contained vehicles for road trips in New Zealand, featuring slide-out bed and fixed bed camper options.
Products and services
- LyLo Accommodation Modern hostel accommodation offering self-contained pod sleeping units, pod rooms (4–12 guests), private rooms, and ensuite rooms across properties in New Zealand and Australia. Includes communal kitchens, coworking spaces, social areas, and on-site bars/restaurants. Targeted at solo travelers, backpackers, groups, families and digital nomads.
- LyLo Road Trips Campervan Rentals Self-contained campervan rental service operating in New Zealand with pickup and dropoff at LyLo properties. Two vehicle models (Slide Out Bed Camper and Fixed Bed Camper) feature indoor kitchens, freedom camping capability, 48-hour off-grid power and comprehensive outdoor equipment packages. Targets travelers planning self-drive New Zealand road trips, with complimentary 1-night stays at LyLo Auckland or Christchurch for bookings of 15+ days.
Quantifiable outcome
- Direct booking discount of extra 10% off when booking through lylo.com
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use LyLo
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
LyLo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
LyLo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- EVT (Event Hospitality & Entertainment)flagshipLyLo is part of Event Hospitality & Entertainment (EVT), a major Australian hospitality and entertainment group. EVT owns and operates a portfolio of accommodation brands including QT Hotels, Rydges, Atura Hotels, Independent Collection, thredbo, as well as entertainment venues like Event Cinemas and GIFTO gift cards. This parent company relationship provides operational backing, brand credibility, and potential cross-promotional opportunities across the EVT portfolio.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LyLo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Selina: Selina is a global hostel/hotel hybrid brand targeting digital nomads and backpackers with design-led shared and private accommodation plus coworking and social programming. It is directly comparable to LyLo's combined Sleep/Play/Work product stack.
- YHA New Zealand: YHA New Zealand operates a nationwide network of backpacker hostels including locations in Auckland, Queenstown, and Christchurch. It is a comparable direct peer to LyLo in the NZ hostel segment, though more traditional and dormitory-oriented than LyLo's pod format.
- Base Backpackers: Base Backpackers operates a chain of social hostels across Australia and New Zealand (Auckland, Queenstown, Sydney, Melbourne, and others). It directly competes with LyLo for backpackers in the same AU/NZ markets, particularly Queenstown where both brands have a presence.
- Generator Hostels: Generator is a European-origin design-led hostel chain offering pod-style and private rooms with on-site bars, social spaces, and coworking. It is directly comparable to LyLo in targeting modern, style-conscious backpackers with hotel-grade amenities at hostel prices.
- Nomads Hostels: Nomads is a backpacker hostel brand with locations across New Zealand, Australia, and other destinations, offering shared dorm and private rooms targeted at the same backpacker and working holiday segment as LyLo.
- Jucy Snooze: Jucy Snooze is a New Zealand-based pod/capsule-style hostel brand operating in Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. It is the closest direct competitor to LyLo in the NZ market, offering similar private pod sleeping units to backpackers and budget travelers.
- Britz Campervan Rentals: Britz is a major New Zealand and Australia campervan rental operator owned by THL. It is the most direct peer to LyLo Road Trips in the NZ self-drive campervan rental market, with a substantially larger fleet and broader pickup network.
- Maui Campervan Rentals: Maui is another THL-owned NZ/AU campervan rental brand offering premium motorhomes and campervans. It competes with LyLo Road Trips in the New Zealand freedom-camping segment and is relevant for benchmarking campervan pricing and fleet scale.
Broad incumbents
- Hostelworld: Hostelworld is a global OTA specializing in hostel bookings, and one of LyLo's listed distribution channels. It is a broad incumbent peer in that it aggregates LyLo and its direct competitors, influencing price discovery and demand flow across the segment.
- Booking.com: Booking.com is a leading global OTA and a key distribution channel for LyLo alongside Hostelworld and Agoda. As a broad incumbent it shapes the competitive landscape in which LyLo's direct-booking strategy must operate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LyLo social profiles
Digital presenceLyLo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LyLo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
LyLo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LyLo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LyLo
What does LyLo do?
LyLo operates modern hostel/accommodation properties offering self-contained pod sleeping units, pod rooms, private rooms and ensuite rooms across locations in New Zealand (Auckland, Queenstown, Christchurch Airport) and Australia (Brisbane, with Gold Coast and Fremantle announced). Properties feature communal kitchens, social spaces, on-site bars and restaurants (including Miss Lucy's Bar and rooftop bars with self-pour systems), coworking facilities and a curated events program. The offering is extended by LyLo Road Trips, a campervan rental service in New Zealand, providing a complete travel accommodation ecosystem for budget-conscious travelers, backpackers, groups and digital nomads.
Is LyLo a public or private company?
LyLo is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was LyLo founded?
LyLo was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is LyLo based?
LyLo is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does LyLo make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Accommodation Revenue is the primary driver. The others are food & Beverage and campervan Rentals.
Who are LyLo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Selina, YHA New Zealand, Base Backpackers, Generator Hostels, Nomads Hostels, Jucy Snooze, Britz Campervan Rentals and Maui Campervan Rentals. Broad incumbents are Hostelworld and Booking.com.
Does LyLo have an API?
No public API is recorded for LyLo.
What industry is LyLo in?
LyLo's product category is Budget Hostel Accommodation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAGAGAD, Capsule & Pod Hostels, with a secondary code of THADAIAA, Campervan Rentals (Class B / Converted Vans). Its NAICS code is 721199 and its SIC code is 7000.