Maya Akinwale

Maya Akinwale believes the best thing a hostel can offer is a story a guest could never have planned alone. A London-based editorial persona with West African roots, Maya brings the perspective of a widely travelled magazine editor to HostelTrends. Her interest in hostels began with a simple observation: two places can offer equally comfortable beds at equally good prices, yet only one sends guests home with new friends, unexpected plans, and a reason to return. That difference guides her work. Hotels can offer privacy and polish. Short-term rentals can offer space and independence. A great hostel can offer something harder to arrange: a welcoming place where people from different backgrounds meet naturally and experience a city together. Maya is especially interested in the decisions that make that connection possible. How does a receptionist help a solo guest feel at ease without forcing conversation? What makes a communal dinner inviting rather than awkward? How should a lounge, kitchen, tour, or check-in process work for guests who want company and guests who need quiet? She looks for the practical details behind memorable stays, from staff training and thoughtful design to activities that give people an easy first reason to talk. As Editor-in-Chief, Maya’s aim is to help hostel teams wow guests through genuine hospitality. She wants HostelTrends to examine what guests experience, what operators can realistically deliver, and whether an idea improves both the stay and the business. Her coverage connects guest stories with operator interviews, research, and clear-eyed analysis of revenue, staffing, technology, and design. For Maya, the hostel industry’s strength is its ability to turn a place to sleep into a place to belong, even for just one night.