Amistat Hostels & Mews

The destination

A hostel for young travelers built around connection and community

Amistat Island Hostel Ibiza, part of Europe’s Famous Hostels, is known for its vibrant stays centered around connection and community. With properties in Barcelona, Ibiza and soon Budapest, Amistat blends the energy of a hostel with modern comforts and design.

A popular destination for digital-native travelers, Amistat offers more than a place to sleep. Rooftop terraces, coworking zones, communal kitchens and karaoke nights are designed to spark encounters and memories.

Guests don’t just leave with photos of Ibiza sunsets; they often gain new friendships and stories. That’s why the Amistat team puts such high value on guest experience – whether it’s a warm welcome at reception, local recommendation, or casual chat that makes travelers feel valued and known. Every interaction is an opportunity to turn first-time visitors into loyal guests.

The challenge

Legacy systems couldn’t deliver the flexibility and guest-first service Amistat needed

When Amistat Ibiza opened its doors in 2017, the team aimed to do more than run a standard hostel; they wanted to create a destination defined by authentic connections, seamless service and memorable experiences.

But their traditional PMS wasn’t up to the task. It was manual-heavy, slow and too rigid to handle the flexibility hostels require, like selling beds and rooms interchangeably. Amistat needed an innovative, intuitive solution that could support their rapid growth and automate routine tasks, freeing staff to focus on what mattered most: creating meaningful guest interactions.

“We required a technological solution that was aligned with our vision - modern, agile, centered on the guest experience and with the capacity to scale quickly, and Mews was clearly the best fit,” says Juanma Moreno, Manager at Amistat. “The Mews approach - cloud-native, automation of key processes like check-in, check-out and the ease of integrations - convinced us from the beginning.” 

The opening

Smooth and stress-free onboarding: live with Mews in two days

When Amistat Ibiza switched to Mews in 2019, the team was bracing for a steep learning curve, since most of them had never used a cloud-based PMS before. But with Mews, the transition was faster and smoother than anyone expected. After just two days of training, the hostel was live, and two days later they were welcoming their first guests.

“Onboarding with Mews was quick and smooth, even considering that no one had experience in using a cloud platform,” recalls Juanma. “The change process was surprisingly simple and well-structured, which made for frictionless implementation and gave us a sense of control from day one.”

The ease of using Mews was a revelation for Juanma, who was a teacher without any prior hospitality experience before joining Amistat in 2019 as a receptionist. Over the years, he has learned every aspect of the business and now serves as general manager.

“From the very beginning, Mews has been a pleasure to work with because it’s super intuitive and visual,” Juanma says. “And adopting Mews wasn’t just about changing our software; it has transformed our way of working and empowered staff.”

Instead of waiting for managers to provide answers, Juanma says that staff are encouraged to use Mews built-in training resources. “You can go to the tutorials or videos and find the solution yourself, which makes everyone proactive, independent and more confident in their roles.”

The results

Smarter operations, happier staff and stronger guest relationships

Six years after adoption, Amistat considers Mews a part of their DNA that has transformed both the front and back office operations.

“Mews’ intuitive interface streamlines check-in and check-out, saving time and elevating the guest experience,” says Juanma. “In the back office, a centralized view of occupancy, billing and workflows empowers smarter decisions and smoother management, even across multiple properties. Automated communication and centralized profiles also help us personalize every stay, building stronger guest relationships.”

Check-in 6x faster

When Amistat first opened, check-in was a lengthy, manual process that left customers frustrated and staff buried in paperwork. Today, with Roommatik Kiosks and QR key integration with Mews, check-in is up to six times faster. Guests arrive, check-in on a kiosk and receive a QR code to enter their room — no line, no waiting.

The shift is more than operational. “The check-in moment is the most important connection with the client,” says Juanma. “Instead of rushing through admin, the time we gain through automating check-in we can spend chatting and making local recommendations. Guests feel welcomed right away, and that first impression sets the tone for their whole stay.”

98% seasonal staff retention rate

For Amistat, automation isn’t about cutting employees; it’s about empowering them. By eliminating repetitive and manual tasks, like check-in and check-out, staff can focus on connecting with guests, creating a more relaxed and enjoyable environment for everyone. The impact is measurable: 98% of Amistat Ibiza’s seasonal staff returned for a second year, an extraordinary figure in a destination where turnover is notoriously high.

“When the team is comfortable, they give better service,” Juanma explains. “And when service improves, guests are happier too. It’s a cycle that benefits everyone.”

Operational flexibility

Hostels are dynamic by nature: a dorm might be sold bed-by-bed or as an entire room for a group booking. Traditional systems aren’t designed for complex bookings, but Mews handles it seamlessly.

“The fact that we can sell by bed or by room depending on the reservation is essential for us,” says Juanma. “It’s one of the ways Mews shows they understand the hostel sector.”

Continuous improvements

What has impressed Juanma most over six years is Mews’ pace of innovation. “We’ve seen constant improvements, both in the platform and in our operations,” he says.

Even small updates have a big impact. For example, a once-frustrating task like correcting a closed invoice is now a one-click fix. Automated billing, reporting and integrations save hours of admin work every week. Those hours aren’t banked; they’re reinvested into guest experiences.

“Mews listens,” says Juanma. “We’ve given feedback, and we’ve seen those suggestions turn into real features. That makes us feel part of the Mews journey.”

Revenue optimization

Revenue management has also become smarter. With Atomize integrated into Mews, Amistat can adjust rates dynamically based on demand, competition and market factors.

“It helps us sharpen our strategy without adding complexity for the team,” Juanma explains. “It ensures our beds are sold at the right price, at the right time.”

The future

Expanding to Budapest with scalable, multi-property operations powered by Mews

Amistat’s next project is an exciting one: transforming a 4-star hotel in Budapest into a hostel. As with Ibiza and Barcelona, Mews will power the new property’s operations and guest service.

“What we value most with Mews is the fact that it can rapidly adapt to the changing needs of the hospitality sector and our business,” says Juanma. “During our expansion, being able to manage multiple properties in a single interface with total visibility and control is key to maintaining our operational and service standards, regardless of location.”