05/09/2026
What a f*ckin cool moment: Last week Barn Door Hostel attended the Association (NAHA) Conference in Montreal. We were the Highlighted US Hostel & founder Dave () got to present on stage about the magic of Barn Door Hostel. While others spoke on property management systems, increasing revenue & global travel trends (all important!), he spoke about the intangibles. The story started with a hug from a stranger, in a strange new city. The tale wove through heartbreaks, downfalls, pandemics, politics, friendships, euphoria, love, homelessness, loss, & culminated there on stage, with his family cheering him on. Life, if you allow it, will show you that you’re always where you need to be. Dave on that stage was the full circle moment: a lost soul inspired to help other lost souls, & building a place to do just that.
Barn Door is a community place. We want you to feel the magic, the je ne sais quoi. We want you to feel at home, at ease & like you always belong. From sponsoring the local 5K, to music festivals & craft fairs, housing families that recently lost loved ones, making space for new families by hosting weddings, helping local orgs & partnering with mom & pop shops. We are just as much a part of this community as you allow us. Because of you all, we were awarded the (first ever!) Good Neighbor Award from NAHA. Thank YOU for giving us this opportunity. To give back, see broken hearts mended, lost souls found, loves sparked, families reunited, it is THE EXACT REASON Dave started Barn Door Hostel.
If you want to read more about Dave’s journey, & many other intertwining journeys, you can pick up a copy of ’s new book “Same Bag Different Bunk: My Life Inside American Hostels”. Dave’s story is mentioned on page 50, but that’s just one small weave in the web of life. The whole book is a fantastic read. Thank you Zack for including Dave & Barn Door Hostel in your book. Thank you NAHA for awarding Barn Door the Good Neighbor Award & highlighting the business at this years conference. All of us here at Barn Door are grateful & humbled by so many big names in the business recognizing Barn Door Hostel as one of the greats.