Award-winning contemporary hostel group Safestay announces the acquisition of U Hostels as it embarks on establishing a pan-European network of hostels. The addition of U Hostels’ properties in Madrid & Paris takes the number of Safestay hostels to six with existing properties in London, Edinburgh and York.
Set in a former 19th-century palace, this hostel is located at Calle Sagasta 22, a 3-minute walk from Alonso Martínez metro station and 1.5 km from the iconic Plaza de Cibeles. Stylish and modern, with its own private cinema room, roof terrace and bar, the 226-bed hostel will operate as U Hostel Madrid by Safestay while undergoing a rebranding programme. Additionally, Safestay will be renovating a 34-bedroom serviced apartment in the building next door. The one- & two-bedroom serviced apartments, which will open in 2018, will also be part of the Safestay Madrid offering.
Brilliantly located, Safestay Madrid is between the vibrant Malasaña district and the Chamberi district, one of the city’s most prestigious neighbourhoods. Transport links are on the doorstep and young crowds are attracted to the area’s multitude of bars and restaurants. The hostel is also close to some of Madrid’s most famous shopping streets including Fuencarral, Gran Vía and the famous “Golden Mile” as well as to the Museum Triangle (home to the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía museums). For football lovers, there is a direct connection to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Safestay Paris
As part of the U Hostels acquisition, Safestay also takes over the lease on a 2,300sqm building in Montmartre which has planning permission for conversion into a 266-bed luxury hostel. Construction will commence this year, with a view to Safestay Paris opening in early 2019.
Safestay Paris will be ideally located right by the popular landmark Sacré-Cœur Basilica in the historical path Rue de Lamarck in Montmartre. Montmartre is a bohemian Parisian area which is undoubtedly one of the most famous areas of the city. It is home to the Moulin Rouge, the open-air art gallery Place du Tertre, The Church of Saint-Pierre, and the Moulin de la Galette. There are several museums in the area including the Montmartre Museum and the Escape Dalí which displays works by Renoir, Picasso, Dalí, and Toulouse-Lautrec, all of whom made this neighbourhood an artist’s colony. Cultural lovers can even visit where Vincent Van Gogh lived and painted.
Larry Lipman, Group Chairman of Safestay comments on the expansion, “The U Hostels concept of what makes a modern luxury hostel is similar to ours in terms of providing guests with the opportunity to stay in unique, stylish buildings, centrally located in gateway European cities. Going forward, we will be able to offer guests the ability to transfer seamlessly between Edinburgh, York, London, Paris and Madrid. We are expecting this network to expand even further as we have other transactions under advanced negotiation and hope to announce a presence in other great cities soon.”
About Safestay
Setting a new standard in stylish, spotlessly clean, safe and affordable accommodation, Safestay appeals to a broad community of guests with their statement buildings, vibrant interiors and prime city centre locations.
Smart travellers across the spectrum, from backpackers and young adults to families and business travellers, are actively seeking out Safestay hostels as much for their design credentials and communal vibe as for their affordable offering.
For more information visit: www.safestay.com