Today we’d like to introduce you to Bobby Dyer and James Black.
Bobby and James, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
We are James Black and Bobby Dyer, cofounders of ITH Hostels. Ever since an early age, we have always had a passion for hosting and a love for travel but weren’t sure how we could combine the two. After meeting each other while working at another hostel in San Diego, we knew we could help travelers with a better experience during their trip to San Diego.
We continued hosting travelers for a few years and working in the hostel industry, James and Bobby saw an opportunity to bring American Hostels to another level. We bought a sailboat to live on and save money while we began laying out the foundation. After over a year of searching on craigslist for a potential property, we found the perfect spot, and ITH Hostels was born! We believe that traditional accommodations leave out the most important parts of your journey: the chance to open your mind and experience the world through another traveler’s eyes. Our first location was the Adventure Hostel in Downtown San Diego in a small Victorian house. Our passion for hosting and the unique experiences we guided guests on provided on with early success and we never looked back.
After selling out on our 3rd day of operating the hostel, we realized that the travelers never wanted to leave. We had many guests looking for long term accommodation to learn English or just establish their roots in San Diego, so we opened our CoLive Residences. Our passion for the hosting guests in the mountain continued to grow, so in 2012, we decided to open a hostel in Big Bear, where we could entertain and host more travelers. With San Diego also booming in 2012, we felt the need to provide our guests with a variety of lodging experiences. Our Farm House offered a large garden with chickens where travelers could stay at and enjoy a peaceful night’s rest.
Years later, in 2017, our dream to operate a beach hostel came true when we took over the operations of the Beach Bungalow Hostel. Since the inception, we have been restoring an iconic hostel and creating the ultimate backpacker oceanfront surf hostel. A month later, in 2017, the growing demand in the Downtown San Diego market grabbed our attention and we created our Captain’s House location at the Adventure Hostel.
Now in 2020, we have rebranded our Adventure Hostel to be called ITH Hostels Downtown San Diego. We are excited to host again after the COVID19 pandemic and continue to show travelers an amazing experience-driven leisure vacation on their trip to San Diego and Big Bear Lake. Our sustainably driven communal lodging strives to educate each guest in the walk of life that we call hosteling. Open your mind by meeting world travelers and learning new cultural practices of how people really live in their communities. Look beyond the hostels as a simple place of rest, and embrace the unique experience you’re about to be immersed in.
Has it been a smooth road?
Real estate pressures (renting vs. buying and taking on risk). Trying some businesses that we thought would work but didn’t pan out as planned. Growth of the hostel market in San Diego. Growth of Airbnb in San Diego.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with ITH Hostels (International Travelers House Hostels) – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our mission is “spreading peace through knowledge of culture.” We are proud to host travelers in our destination with an authentic experience-driven stay for the guest to have the best possible getaway in San Diego. We believe that traditional accommodations leave out the most important parts of your journey: the chance to open your mind and experience the world through another traveler’s eyes.
Our sustainably driven communal lodging strives to educate each guest in the walk of life that we call hosteling. Open your mind by meeting world travelers and learning new cultural practices of how people really live in their communities. Look beyond the hostels as a simple place of rest, and embrace the unique experience you’re about to be immersed in. Other competitors, mainly larger brands like Marriott, Hilton, etc. are too big and do not offer the intimate hosted experience that we provide at owner-operated hostels.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
San Diego provides the perfect playground for adventure leisure beach vacations. We loved the people and diversity of culture you can enjoy. The weather is amazing too!
Pricing:
- Dorm Beds start at $30 per night
- Private rooms start at $50 per night
Contact Info:
- Address: 230 West Cedar Street
San Diego, CA 92101 - Website: www.ithhostels.com
- Phone: 619-228-9234
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