Berlin, December 10, 2024 – MEININGER Hotels is celebrating it’s 25th anniversary and reflecting on the company’s journey. Since the opening of the first MEININGER Hotel on Meininger Strasse in Berlin in December 1999, the company has grown significantly – from a hostel to a hybrid hotel concept, from a single location to a brand with 36 hotels across 26 European cities. This milestone presents an opportunity to look back on the past twenty-five years, highlight key achievements, and look forward to many more successful years ahead.
A journey from "hostel" to hybrid hotel
The first MEININGER Hotel resembled a traditional hostel, mainly catering to students, pupils, and backpackers. It was a simple hotel with dormitory rooms, and shared showers and toilets on each floor. The floors were gender-segregated, and the hotel could accommodate about 200 guests. Bookings were made by phone, letter, or fax. Since then, the brand has evolved significantly – not just in terms of booking channels.
The first major step towards the current MEININGER brand came with the opening of two additional hotels in Berlin (at Hallesches Ufer in 2002 and at Tempelhofer Ufer in 2003), followed by a location in Munich in 2004. These properties introduced private rooms, especially appealing to business travelers during trade fairs, which helped establish the foundation for the brand’s expansion.
Another key development was the introduction of a room model combining double and bunk beds, ideal for families. “From the very beginning, our goal was growth. The logical next step was to expand our offering to meet the needs of different guest groups. Today, our ‘2+2 Room’ –a double bed and two single bunk beds per room – is our most booked room model,” says Ajit Menon, CEO of MEININGER Hotels.
While MEININGER Hotels continues to service its original guest segments, such as school groups and backpackers, today it also caters to families, groups of friends, and business travelers. The company places great emphasis on diversity and inclusion with the motto "We are enthusiastic hosts who are as diverse as our guests". This value is reflected in the team – 1,270 employees from 90 nationalities and all genders work to ensure a pleasant stay for guests.
Local flavour with international reach: the key to success
MEININGER Hotels stands out for its individuality. The hybrid concept blends the service and comfort of an international low-budget hotel with the advantages of a hostel. Features include a guest kitchen, access to laundry services, a game zone with table soccer or pool tables, a bar and a 24-hour reception. While the properties share many similarities, such as prime locations, high-quality facilities, and flexible room configurations, each hotel reflects the character of its local surroundings. Even the breakfast offerings vary: in Munich, pretzels are a must, while in Italy, guests can expect sweet cakes (Dolci).
Embracing change as an opportunity
Over the past 25 years, not only MEININGER Hotels but the entire hospitality industry has undergone major changes. Flexibility, sustainability, and technology have driven the sector forward. “Technological innovations such as online booking platforms and data-driven revenue management have transformed the hospitality industry, while new accommodation models like sharing platforms and hybrid hotels have challenged traditional concepts,” explains Ajit Menon. Travel behavior has also evolved, with a rise in short trips, experience-oriented travel, and demand for sustainable, customized stays. External factors such as economic crises and the pandemic have tested the industry, but have also set new standards in flexibility, digitalization, and social responsibility. “The world is constantly changing, and brands and companies must evolve too. At MEININGER, we adapt flexibly to market needs,” says Ajit Menon.
This adaptability includes ongoing investment in existing properties to meet current standards. MEININGER is focusing on sustainability, employee development, digitalization, and process automation. "There is much more to expect from MEININGER in the next 25 years," concludes Ajit Menon. The company is planning further expansion into Greece and Portugal, as well as more locations in Spain, France, and the UK. Recently, new properties have been announced: the Edinburgh property is scheduled for completion in 2025, the opening in Barcelona is planned for 2026, while the property in Kiel is expected to be completed in 2027.
