YHA Australia is excited to unveil the completion of a major $9.7 million seven-month long renovation. Driven by evolving travel trends and direct guest feedback, the revitalisation project aligns with YHA’s vision to provide connectivity, privacy, and modern, sustainable accommodation for a new kind of traveller.
Paul McGrath CEO of YHA Australia explains, “The completion of these extensive renovations across our three flagship properties in Sydney and Brisbane marks a pivotal moment in the YHA Australia growth story. Our primary focus is to revitalise and modernise the guest experience whilst continuing our commitment to affordable accommodation.’
“As travel habits evolve, we’re witnessing a growing demand for flexible, community-oriented living spaces. We know that travellers highly value the social interactions and experiences that enrich co-living accommodations but also understand that there is also a traveller who may need an option to retreat to a considerately designed private space.’
“Travellers who prioritise new experiences and the opportunity to make friends, regardless of their age or budget, need not comprise when it comes to finding high-quality yet value driven accommodation.”
Renovations commenced with three of YHA Australia’s largest and most visited properties, marking the start of significant investment into a development strategy, soon available across the organisation’s extensive national network.
YHA Sydney Central, YHA Sydney Harbour and YHA Brisbane City are the first stop for many international working holiday makers and leisure travellers entering Australia, and starting the revitalisation project here presented the strongest opportunity to showcase a reimagined YHA experience.
When YHA surveyed their guests over a 4-year period, a common theme emerged that modern sophisticated travellers today value privacy, device connectivity and quality spaces to meet other guests. YHA set about to create exactly that.
The organisation collaborated with Sydney-based design firm WMK to create a prototype room and a selection of custom joinery, which was piloted at YHA Sydney Harbour over a 12-month period. Following this there was extensive consultation to partner with businesses that designed and manufactured in Australia, with circular and sustainable practices at the core of their practice.
The revitalisation project saw the following upgrades made to YHA’s co-living rooms:
- New high-quality bunks with in-built personal charging points, bedside lights and full-drawn curtains for extra privacy and mesh privacy screens alongside all new-linens with higher thread counts.
- Generously sized lockers fitted in co-living rooms complete with secure in-built charging facilities.
- Sleek modern shared bathrooms featuring spacious showers, wide vanity sinks, and quality mirrors.
Traveller demand is shifting towards more cost-effective hybrid accommodation styles, whether to meet new people, for greater affordability or sometimes because of a prime location. With such investment in private rooms and shared spaces, YHA are enhancing not just the physical accommodation space but the entire YHA property guest experience. These considered touches in the private rooms also include upgrades to amenities in-room such as, 50-inch TV screens equipped with streaming services, SMEG tea and coffee facilities, GHD hairdryers, and Bluetooth wireless charging ports
Communal spaces equally shared in this investment with revitalised common areas including reception areas and YHA Sydney Harbour’s iconic rooftop bar. At YHA Brisbane there are now dedicated wellness spaces and activities including a quiet library reading room, yoga areas and a gym, while YHA Sydney Central boasts a refreshed cinema room with plush seating that converts to a multi-function space for large groups and schools.
In coming years, this innovative design ethos will continue to be rolled out across the network, with guest feedback continually sought and applied to future iterations, including the organisations in-development flagship property at Railway Square, Tech Central, slated to open in 2026.
The reimagining of the traveller experience has continued across the YHA guest experience with:
- The completion of a $200,000 revitalisation project at YHA Thredbo. This included a refurbishment of all private rooms and upgraded co-living furniture aimed to increase privacy and appeal to a broader segment of travellers, including families, considering a hostel stay.
- A network wide F&B strategy to complement these renovations with new on-property bars and value-driven, high-quality dining options that showcase the best of local producers. New partnerships have already begun with Coopers, Archie Rose and Tullochs wines.
YHA Australia have also recently launched its new foundation, ‘Travel To learn’ as part of their purpose-driven ethos.
