danny/flaneur
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull requests Projects Releases Packages Wiki Activity Actions

Expand GM report: tables + non-leading hypotheses

Browse source
This commit is contained in:
root 2026-01-03 12:13:14 +00:00
parent 4b7d56452c
commit 2db34ee757
2 changed files with 270 additions and 222 deletions
Show stats Download patch file Download diff file Expand all files Collapse all files

137
reports/flaneur_vs_ho36_gm_report_2026-01-03.md
View file

@ -1,126 +1,35 @@
# Lyon Hostel Footprint Report (HO36 vs Le Flaneur)
# Lyon Hostel Footprint Report (HO36 vs Le Flaneur) - Exec Memo
Date: 2026-01-03 (UTC)
Date: 2026-01-03
Full report (with citations): `reports/flaneur_vs_ho36_gm_report_full_2026-01-03.md`
Full report (tables + citations): `reports/flaneur_vs_ho36_gm_report_full_2026-01-03.md`
## Scope and method (what is and is not verified)
## What is verified (public, no-login)
- Public, no-login sources only (no CAPTCHA or paywall bypass).
- "HO36 full vs Flaneur empty at New Year" cannot be verified directly after-the-fact because booking engines do not allow querying past dates. This report uses a proxy stay window to compare current demand signals and conversion drivers.
- Proxy pricing/availability window used: 2026-01-03 to 2026-01-04 (1 night).
- Review theme analysis uses Hostelworld reviews from the last 12 months (public API observed via browser network traffic; no login). Google Maps review text was not collected (only rating + review count).
Channel traction:
- Booking.com: HO36 8.2 (1,356 reviews) vs Le Flaneur 8.1 (502 reviews).
- Hostelworld: HO36 8.86 (1,587 reviews) vs Le Flaneur 8.1 (2,332 reviews).
- Google Maps: HO36 4.1 (1,447 reviews) vs Le Flaneur 4.3 (855 reviews).
## Executive summary (what likely explains the gap)
Pricing/availability (proxy window 2026-01-03..2026-01-04, 1 night):
- Le Flaneur is cheaper and more flexible (refundable until 15:00 prior day) yet shows materially higher dorm availability than HO36.
1) Cleanliness/facilities perception is the strongest gap.
- Flaneur: 11 negative Hostelworld reviews (<= 65/100) in the last 12 months, with repeated hygiene/bathroom complaints.
- HO36: 1 negative review in the last 12 months; high cleanliness and facilities averages.
## What is not verified here (needs exports/manual capture)
2) Booking.com channel traction appears materially stronger for HO36.
- Similar rating (HO36 8.2 vs Flaneur 8.1), but HO36 has far more Booking reviews (1,356 vs 502), which usually correlates with higher visibility and stronger conversion on that channel.
- Booking.com search ranking, impressions, and conversion (Booking extranet).
- Google review text themes (we only have rating + count).
- TripAdvisor rating/review counts (blocked by DataDome CAPTCHA in this environment).
3) Price is not the primary driver.
- In the proxy window, Flaneur is cheaper and more flexible (refundable) yet shows materially higher availability than HO36.
## Working hypotheses to validate (ranked)
4) Flaneur has a product advantage (full kitchen) that is not currently compensating for the trust gap.
- Kitchen/self-catering is a differentiator vs HO36 (microwave-only), but it needs to be paired with visible cleanliness and sleep-comfort improvements to convert.
1) Trust conversion issue (HIGH): bathrooms/odor + sleep product issues appear repeatedly in negative Hostelworld reviews for Le Flaneur; HO36 has far fewer negatives in the same 12-month window.
2) Booking visibility gap (MED-HIGH): similar Booking rating but HO36 has ~2.7x the review volume; likely impacts ranking and click-through.
3) Seasonal closure impact (LOW-MED): Le Flaneur publicly states a Christmas closure (22-25 Dec); may have disrupted momentum and returning-guest patterns.
## Side-by-side comparison (high-signal metrics)
## Immediate asks (next 60 minutes)
| Category | HO36 | Le Flaneur | Evidence |
|---|---:|---:|---|
| Booking.com rating (reviews) | 8.2 (1,356) | 8.1 (502) | `data/ho36/screenshots/ho36__booking__listing__20260103.png`, `data/flaneur/screenshots/flaneur__booking__listing__20260103.png` |
| Hostelworld rating (reviews) | 8.86 (1,587) | 8.1 (2,332) | `data/ho36/screenshots/ho36__hostelworld_listing__20260102.png`, `data/flaneur/screenshots/flaneur__hostelworld__20260102.png` |
| Google Maps rating (reviews) | 4.1 (1,447) | 4.3 (855) | `data/ho36/screenshots/ho36__google_maps_embed_iframe__20260102.png`, `data/flaneur/screenshots/flaneur__google_maps__20260102.png` |
| Instagram followers | 3,247 | 2,296 | `verify/results/ho36_googlebot_audit.jsonl`, `verify/results/flaneur_googlebot_audit.jsonl` |
| Direct booking engine | Mews (`www.mews.li`) | RoomRaccoon (`booking.roomraccoon.fr`) | `data/ho36/evidence.json`, `data/flaneur/evidence.json` |
| Proxy min dorm bed EUR (availability) | 28.00 (3 beds) | 22.88 (10 beds) | `data/ho36/screenshots/ho36__mews__pricing__20260103_20260104__20260103.png`, `data/flaneur/screenshots/flaneur__roomraccoon__pricing__20260103_20260104__20260103.png` |
| Proxy min private room EUR | 55.00 | 50.88 | `data/ho36/screenshots/ho36__mews__pricing__20260103_20260104__20260103.png`, `data/flaneur/screenshots/flaneur__roomraccoon__pricing__20260103_20260104__20260103.png` |
| Kitchen (Hostelworld facilities) | Microwave only | Full self-catering | `verify/results/hostelworld_facilities_ho36_270217.json`, `verify/results/hostelworld_facilities_flaneur_100844.json` |
If you need a GM-grade answer today, pull these exports:
- Booking.com extranet (Le Flaneur): impressions, page views, conversion, cancellations, Genius/Preferred status, ranking snapshots for Lyon hostels.
- RoomRaccoon (Le Flaneur): occupancy + ADR by day (last 90 days) with channel mix; closure/stop-sell timeline.
- Google Business Profile (Le Flaneur): last-12-month reviews export + GBP Insights.
## Pricing and availability (proxy window 2026-01-03 to 2026-01-04)
This is a like-for-like snapshot from each hostel's direct booking engine (not an OTA), used to compare relative demand and conversion constraints.
| Hostel | Cheapest dorm bed | Cheapest private room | Cancellation signal (proxy window) | Availability signal (proxy window) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HO36 | 28.00 EUR ("Lit en dortoir mixte") | 55.00 EUR ("Chambre single RDC") | Non-refundable | 3 beds available on cheapest dorm |
| Le Flaneur | 22.88 EUR ("Dortoir mixte 16 lits") | 50.88 EUR ("Chambre Privee 4 personnes") | Refundable until 15:00 day before | 10 beds available on cheapest dorm |
Interpretation: Flaneur is cheaper and more flexible, yet shows higher availability. This points away from price/policy as the root cause and toward trust (cleanliness, comfort, safety perception) and channel visibility.
## Product/amenities - what is different (observable)
| Area | HO36 | Le Flaneur | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Microwave only | Stove + utensils + fridge + self-catering | Kitchen is a strong value driver for budget travelers; it can be a conversion lever if paired with cleanliness trust. |
| Bar/cafe | Yes | Yes | Both compete on "social + bar/cafe"; differentiation needs to be sharper (events, atmosphere, review narrative). |
| Coworking / meeting | Not clearly listed in Hostelworld facilities | Listed (meeting rooms, coworking space) | If Flaneur targets remote workers, the offer must be visible on OTAs and reflected in reviews/photos. |
| Accessibility | Not listed in captured Hostelworld facilities | Wheelchair friendly + accessible bathrooms | Can widen addressable audience; should be highlighted consistently across channels. |
## Review themes (last 12 months - Hostelworld)
Source: `verify/results/hostelworld_review_themes.md`
### HO36 (12m)
- Reviews (12m): 16
- Mean score: 84.4/100; median: 89/100
- Positive/Neutral/Negative: 12 / 3 / 1
- Biggest positives: cleanliness, staff; consistent "feels safe" despite some neighborhood concern mentions.
- Main negative (low frequency): occasional check-in / keycard / process issues.
### Le Flaneur (12m)
- Reviews (12m): 51
- Mean score: 78.3/100; median: 83/100
- Positive/Neutral/Negative: 25 / 15 / 11
- Recurring pain points (seen in multiple reviews, not single outliers):
- Cleanliness issues (especially bathrooms, odor)
- Safety/neighborhood discomfort framing (more frequent than HO36 in negative reviews)
- Reception availability / staff process issues (distinct from "staff friendliness", which is often praised)
- Recurring positives:
- Staff friendliness
- Kitchen/self-catering
- Value for money
## Ranked hypotheses (evidence-backed)
1) Cleanliness + bathroom trust gap reduces conversion (HIGH).
- Evidence: Flaneur has repeated negative cleanliness/bathroom mentions and lower cleanliness/facilities averages; HO36 has far fewer negatives and higher cleanliness averages.
2) Booking.com visibility gap (MED-HIGH).
- Evidence: Similar rating, but HO36 has ~2.7x the review volume on Booking (1,356 vs 502). Review volume generally correlates with ranking and click-through.
3) "Safety in the neighborhood" narrative is hurting Flaneur more than HO36 (MED).
- Evidence: Safety/neighborhood appears as a repeated negative theme for Flaneur in the last 12 months; for HO36 it appears more as a neutral/positive reassurance theme.
4) Sleep comfort and dorm UX issues compound the cleanliness narrative (MED).
- Evidence: Flaneur has recurring mentions of sleep/noise and dorm comfort in neutral/negative themes; this matters disproportionately around peak periods when guests compare options quickly.
5) Flaneur's differentiators (kitchen, coworking, "tiers lieu") are not driving enough demand because they are not turning into social proof (MED).
- Evidence: Kitchen is praised but does not dominate the overall review narrative; Booking review volume is relatively low for the category.
## Action plan for Flaneur (10 concrete, fast experiments)
1) Bathrooms: 14-day deep clean + odor elimination sprint; publish proof (photos, short reels) and push it to OTAs as new images.
2) Housekeeping QA: introduce a visible checklist and nightly spot checks; track defects; respond to every cleanliness review with a specific fix.
3) Sleep product upgrade: add curtains where feasible, tighten bunks, improve lighting; then message it as "better sleep" on Hostelworld/Booking.
4) Reception reliability: ensure real 24/7 coverage or clearly communicate the actual hours and self-check-in; reduce "process" complaints.
5) Safety perception: improve lighting/signage at entrance; add clear guest guidance for late arrivals; emphasize lockers/security features on listings.
6) Reposition the kitchen: run 2-3 weekly communal cooking nights (cheap, high-UGC) and push as a reason to stay during winter.
7) OTA listing optimization: refresh top-fold photos (bathrooms, beds, common areas, kitchen), and align amenity lists across all channels.
8) Review ops: QR code at checkout; staff asks happy guests for reviews; target +30 Booking reviews and +50 Hostelworld reviews in 60 days.
9) Pricing tests: keep dorm prices, but bundle value for privates (late checkout, breakfast voucher, bar credit) to drive higher ADR.
10) Local partnerships for NYE-like periods: bar/event partners + "stay and go out" packages; create a dedicated landing page and social cadence.
## Evidence index (quick links)
- HO36 evidence: `data/ho36/evidence.json`, `data/ho36/evidence.csv`, `data/ho36/profile.md`
- Flaneur evidence: `data/flaneur/evidence.json`, `data/flaneur/evidence.csv`, `data/flaneur/profile.md`
- Pricing snapshot JSON: `verify/results/pricing_window__20260103_20260104__20260103.json`
- Review theme summary: `verify/results/hostelworld_review_themes.md`
- Hostelworld facilities JSON:
- `verify/results/hostelworld_facilities_ho36_270217.json`
- `verify/results/hostelworld_facilities_flaneur_100844.json`

355
reports/flaneur_vs_ho36_gm_report_full_2026-01-03.md
View file

@ -1,167 +1,300 @@
# Full Report: Why HO36 Fills and Le Flaneur Does Not (NYE Lens)
# Full Report: HO36 vs Le Flaneur (NYE Lens, Evidence-First)
Date: 2026-01-03
## 0) Scope, constraints, and how to read this
## 0) Objective, scope, and constraints
This report uses public, no-login sources only. We do not bypass CAPTCHAs or paywalls.
Objective: explain (with evidence) why HO36 appears to be significantly stronger on NYE demand than Le Flaneur, and what Le Flaneur can do next.
Key limitation: we cannot reliably verify historical availability for Dec 29-Jan 2 after-the-fact because booking engines do not allow selecting past dates. Instead, we use a proxy pricing/availability snapshot (2026-01-03 to 2026-01-04) plus distribution and reputation signals to explain likely drivers.
NYE window referenced: 2025-12-29 to 2026-01-02 (most recent NYE at time of capture).
Evidence is cited inline like [S01]. Full source links are at the end.
Constraints (hard):
- Public, no-login sources only.
- No CAPTCHA/paywall bypass (TripAdvisor is blocked here).
## 1) Executive narrative (what is most likely true)
Critical limitation:
- We cannot reliably verify historical availability for 2025-12-29..2026-01-02 after-the-fact because booking engines typically do not allow selecting past dates. For price/availability, we therefore use a proxy window capture: 2026-01-03 to 2026-01-04 (1 night). [S10]
If you strip the story down to mechanics, the gap looks like this:
Evidence is cited inline like [S01]. All source links are at the end.
1) HO36 has materially stronger Booking.com traction (review volume) than Le Flaneur.
- HO36: 8.2 with 1,356 reviews vs Le Flaneur: 8.1 with 502 reviews. [S01] [S02]
- That difference typically translates to higher visibility and conversion on Booking (more impressions, more clicks, more bookings), even when ratings are similar.
## 1) What is verified vs what is hypothesis
2) Le Flaneur has a recurring cleanliness/bathroom trust problem in recent reviews.
- In the last 12 months on Hostelworld, Le Flaneur shows 11 negative reviews (<= 65/100) and repeated cleanliness + bathroom issues, while HO36 shows 1 negative review in the same window. [S13]
- Trust problems dominate short-funnel decisions around peak periods (NYE: guests book fast, filter hard).
Verified (directly supported by artifacts in this repo):
- Channel traction (ratings + review volume) across Booking, Hostelworld, Google Maps. [S01] [S02] [S03] [S04] [S06] [S07]
- Proxy-window direct booking pricing/availability (room list, min prices, refund hints). [S08] [S09] [S10]
- Amenities/features as listed on Hostelworld + selected official-site positioning/amenities quotes. [S11] [S12] [S16] [S17]
- Guest pain/happy themes from last-12-month Hostelworld review text (with transparent thresholds and an outlier policy). [S22] [S23]
3) Price is not the main explanation.
- In the proxy window, Le Flaneur is cheaper and more flexible (refundable) yet shows far more dorm availability than HO36. [S08] [S09] [S10]
Not verified here (requires internal exports or manual capture):
- Booking.com search ranking and impressions/conversion (extranet).
- Google review text (we only captured rating + count).
- TripAdvisor rating/reviews (DataDome CAPTCHA block). [S18] [S19]
4) Operational disruption is a plausible amplifier: Le Flaneur publicly states a Christmas closure (Dec 22-25).
- A short closure can break momentum: repeat guests re-route, and OTAs may see a short-term conversion dip that takes weeks to recover. This is not proven here, but it is consistent with the mechanism and should be validated internally. [S14]
## 2) High-signal comparison (facts)
## 2) Hard facts comparison (high-signal)
### 2.1 Channel traction (ratings and review volume)
### 2.1 Ratings and review volume (channel traction)
| Channel | HO36 | Le Flaneur | Why it matters |
| Channel | HO36 | Le Flaneur | Notes |
|---|---:|---:|---|
| Booking.com | 8.2 (1,356) [S01] | 8.1 (502) [S02] | Review volume often correlates with ranking + conversion velocity. |
| Hostelworld | 8.86 (1,587) [S03] | 8.1 (2,332) [S04] | HW is meaningful for backpacker demand; HO36 scores higher, Flaneur has more volume. |
| Hostelworld Lyon directory position | 8 [S05] | 7 [S05] | Similar directory visibility on HW (very close). |
| Google Maps | 4.1 (1,447) [S06] | 4.3 (855) [S07] | Maps is top-of-funnel; Flaneur has higher rating but fewer reviews. |
| Instagram followers | 3,247 [S21] | 2,296 [S20] | Lightweight signal of brand reach; not decisive alone. |
| Booking.com | 8.2 (1,356 reviews) [S01] | 8.1 (502 reviews) [S02] | Similar rating; large review-volume gap. |
| Hostelworld | 8.86 (1,587 reviews) [S03] | 8.1 (2,332 reviews) [S04] | HO36 scores higher; Flaneur has more volume. |
| Hostelworld Lyon directory position | 8 [S05] | 7 [S05] | Similar directory visibility (close). |
| Google Maps | 4.1 (1,447 reviews) [S06] | 4.3 (855 reviews) [S07] | Flaneur higher rating; HO36 higher volume. |
| Instagram followers | 3,247 [S21] | 2,296 [S20] | Lightweight reach signal; not decisive alone. |
### 2.2 Direct booking (proxy window 2026-01-03 to 2026-01-04)
### 2.2 Product framing (official-site positioning, verbatim)
| Item | HO36 | Le Flaneur |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | "an atypical, cool and affordable place... place of exchange and discovery" + artistic programming. [S16] | "Bar, cafe, auberge, lieu de rencontre, tiers lieu... ouvert tous les jours, par tous les temps..." [S17] |
| Amenities highlights (examples) | 24/7 multilingual reception, luggage storage, breakfast, cafeteria, bar, living spaces, artistic programming. [S16] | Free wifi, 24/7 reception, equipped kitchen, meeting room, inner courtyard, PMR accessibility. [S17] |
| Seasonal closure notice | None captured. [S16] | "Conge de Noel du 22 decembre au 25 decembre inclus." [S17] |
### 2.3 Direct booking: price + availability (proxy window 2026-01-03..2026-01-04)
Interpretation rule: if one property is cheaper and more flexible yet shows higher availability, pricing is unlikely to be the primary explanation.
| Metric | HO36 | Le Flaneur |
|---|---:|---:|
| Booking engine | Mews [S16] | RoomRaccoon [S17] |
| Cheapest dorm bed (EUR) | 28.00 (3 beds available, non-refundable) [S08] [S10] | 22.88 (10 beds available, refundable until 15:00 prior day) [S09] [S10] |
| Cheapest private room (EUR) | 55.00 (non-refundable) [S08] [S10] | 50.88 (refund signal same as above) [S09] [S10] |
| Cheapest private room (EUR) | 55.00 (non-refundable) [S08] [S10] | 50.88 (refund hint as above) [S09] [S10] |
Interpretation: Le Flaneur is cheaper and less risky to book, yet has higher availability. That points away from pricing as root cause and toward trust + channel momentum.
## 3) Like-for-like room + price table (proxy window)
## 3) Distribution: the Booking.com traffic thesis (and what we can prove)
Source: direct booking engines snapshot (2026-01-03..2026-01-04). [S10]
Your read ("HO36 dominates available traffic because Booking traction is higher") is directionally supported by the evidence we have:
| Property | Room type (proxy window) | Unit | Min price (EUR) | Availability units | Refund hint |
|---|---|---|---:|---:|---|
| HO36 | Chambre Ho my God | par chambre/par nuit | 75.00 | 4 | Non remboursable |
| HO36 | Chambre familiale | par chambre/par nuit | 180.00 | 1 | Non remboursable |
| HO36 | Chambre single RDC | par chambre/par nuit | 55.00 | 1 | Non remboursable |
| HO36 | Dortoir privatif pour 2 personnes | par dortoir/par nuit | 76.00 | 1 | Non remboursable |
| HO36 | Lit en dortoir mixte | par lit/par nuit | 28.00 | 3 | Non remboursable |
| Le Flaneur | Dortoir mixte 16 lits | bed | 22.88 | 10 | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
| Le Flaneur | Dortoir mixte 10 lits - 1 | bed | 25.88 | 8 | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
| Le Flaneur | Dortoir mixte 10 lits - 2 | bed | 25.88 | 9 | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
| Le Flaneur | Dortoir feminin 12 lits | bed | 25.88 | 11 | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
| Le Flaneur | Dortoir mixte 6 lits - 1 | bed | 28.88 | 5 | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
| Le Flaneur | Dortoir mixte 4 lits D4 /D8 | bed | 30.88 | 7 | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
| Le Flaneur | Dortoir mixte 4 lits D7 | bed | 30.88 | 3 | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
| Le Flaneur | D9 - Dortoir Feminin 4 lits | bed | 30.88 | 3 | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
| Le Flaneur | Chambre Privee 4 personnes | room | 50.88 | | Remboursable jusqu'a 15h la veille |
- The strongest measurable delta on Booking is review volume: 1,356 vs 502. [S01] [S02]
- Ratings are close (8.2 vs 8.1), so review volume is the likely differentiator for perceived legitimacy and ranking. [S01] [S02]
## 4) Feature comparison (amenities)
What we cannot prove in this environment:
- Actual Booking search ranking positions for the same query, same dates, same device/location, same logged-out session.
- HO36 vs Flaneur channel mix (Booking share of bookings) without internal data.
### 4.1 Key deltas (high impact)
How to validate quickly (internal, 15 minutes):
- Pull last 90 days bookings by channel (direct vs Booking vs Hostelworld) and compare conversion drops around the closure period.
- Check Booking extranet: impressions, page views, conversion, cancellation rate, and Genius / preferred program status.
Source: Hostelworld facilities lists (not exhaustive, but consistent across both listings). [S11] [S12]
## 4) Product reality check: amenities and "value per euro"
| Feature | HO36 | Le Flaneur | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Microwave only [S11] | Full self-catering (stove, utensils, fridge/freezer, etc) [S12] | Strong value driver for budget travelers. |
| Housekeeping | Listed [S11] | Not listed [S12] | If true operationally, should show up in review narrative. |
| Air conditioning / fan | Not listed [S11] | Listed [S12] | Summer comfort + odor/ventilation perception. |
| Coworking / meeting rooms | Not listed [S11] | Listed [S12] | Useful if targeting remote workers. |
| Accessibility | Not listed [S11] | Wheelchair friendly + accessible bathrooms [S12] | Broadens audience + improves trust. |
| Free security lockers | Not listed [S11] | Listed [S12] | Safety/convenience signal. |
### 4.1 Kitchen is a real differentiator (but it is not currently winning the sale)
### 4.2 Full Hostelworld facilities matrix (appendix)
Hostelworld facilities list:
- HO36 kitchen: microwave only. [S11]
- Le Flaneur kitchen: full self-catering (stove, utensils, fridge/freezer, etc). [S12]
Appendix A contains the full item-by-item matrix. [S11] [S12]
This should be a powerful lever for budget travelers in winter. The fact it is not translating to higher occupancy implies the purchase decision is being lost earlier (trust, cleanliness, sleep, safety narrative).
## 5) Guest voice (Hostelworld reviews, last 12 months)
### 4.2 Amenities matrix (select)
Why this matters: around peak dates, guests do not have time to investigate deeply; they filter fast based on trust signals. Review narrative is a direct conversion driver.
| Amenity (Hostelworld facilities) | HO36 | Le Flaneur |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Microwave [S11] | Full self-catering [S12] |
| Bar / cafe | Yes [S11] | Yes [S12] |
| 24h reception | Yes [S11] | Yes [S12] |
| Coworking / meeting rooms | Not listed [S11] | Listed [S12] |
| Free security lockers | Not listed as free [S11] | Listed as free [S12] |
| Air conditioning | Not listed [S11] | Listed [S12] |
Data + method (transparent):
- Data source: Hostelworld public review JSON captured in this repo. [S22] [S23]
- Window: last 365 days relative to report date (cutoff 2025-01-03). [S22] [S23]
- Scoring: we use Hostelworld overall (/100) to bucket reviews:
- Positive: >= 85
- Neutral: 66..84
- Negative: <= 65
- Outlier policy for the pain-point table: we exclude the most extreme negative reviews (overall <= 30) to reduce the influence of likely "screamer" outliers; this removed 2 reviews for Flaneur. (We still recommend reading them, but not letting them dominate prioritization.) [S22]
## 5) Reputation: what guests actually complain about (last 12 months)
Counts (12m):
- HO36: 16 reviews, 1 negative (<=65). [S23]
- Le Flaneur: 51 reviews, 11 negative (<=65), including 2 extreme outliers (<=30). [S22]
We cannot extract Google review text here (only rating + count). The deepest public review text we have is Hostelworld, which is still highly relevant to hostel demand.
### 5.1 Top 10 pain points (comparison, last 12m)
Summary source: [S13]
These counts are "mentions": number of negative reviews (31-65 overall) that contain keywords for the theme. Themes can overlap. [S22] [S23]
### 5.1 HO36 (Hostelworld, last 12 months)
| Pain point (Hostelworld, last 12m) | Flaneur mentions (neg 31-65) | HO36 mentions (neg 31-65) | Representative Flaneur quote (date, overall) |
|---|---:|---:|---|
| Bathrooms / cleanliness / odor | 6 | 1 | 2025-10-25 (46/100): Did not like this place. The bathrooms reeked and generally felt dirty. Beds had no curtains and rattled like hell when going up and down bunk bed ladder. St... |
| Safety / security (in property) | 5 | 0 | 2025-06-13 (49/100): Really weird homeless smelly French people in my room. Bathrooms smelled worse than anything I've ever smelt. Super hot at night. Felt gross sleeping there b... |
| Reception / process / staff | 5 | 1 | 2025-10-25 (46/100): Did not like this place. The bathrooms reeked and generally felt dirty. Beds had no curtains and rattled like hell when going up and down bunk bed ladder. St... |
| Beds / privacy / noise (sleep) | 3 | 0 | 2025-10-25 (46/100): Did not like this place. The bathrooms reeked and generally felt dirty. Beds had no curtains and rattled like hell when going up and down bunk bed ladder. St... |
| Guest mix / long-stay residents | 3 | 0 | 2025-10-25 (46/100): Did not like this place. The bathrooms reeked and generally felt dirty. Beds had no curtains and rattled like hell when going up and down bunk bed ladder. St... |
| Location / transport | 3 | 0 | 2025-09-09 (60/100): Not in a great location within Lyon, and definitely not a youth hostel, some people seem to be full time residents there. It is ok for a budget stay but prob... |
| Atmosphere / social vibe | 2 | 0 | 2025-05-31 (46/100): Good: Staff, vibe if you like this hippie vibe. Bad: Awful and dangerous location (junkies etc), security (strangers entered my room to use the toilet), amen... |
| Kitchen / bar / common areas | 2 | 0 | 2025-06-13 (49/100): Really weird homeless smelly French people in my room. Bathrooms smelled worse than anything I've ever smelt. Super hot at night. Felt gross sleeping there b... |
| Neighborhood perception | 2 | 1 | 2025-05-31 (46/100): Good: Staff, vibe if you like this hippie vibe. Bad: Awful and dangerous location (junkies etc), security (strangers entered my room to use the toilet), amen... |
| Amenities (WiFi, laundry, AC) | 1 | 0 | 2025-04-10 (57/100): Wish I had booked elsewhere. Room was smelly and had poor ventilation with body odor smell and cigarette smoke drifting inside. WiFi didn't work half the tim... |
- Reviews (12m): 16; mean score 84.4/100; negative reviews 1. [S13]
- Most consistent positives: cleanliness + staff; safety narrative is handled as reassurance even when the neighborhood is mentioned. [S13]
### 5.2 Top 10 happy points (comparison, last 12m)
### 5.2 Le Flaneur (Hostelworld, last 12 months)
These counts are "mentions": number of positive reviews (>=85) that contain keywords for the theme. Themes can overlap. [S22] [S23]
- Reviews (12m): 51; mean score 78.3/100; negative reviews 11. [S13]
- Recurring pain points (multi-mention, not one-off "screamer" reviews):
- Cleanliness / bathrooms (odor, hygiene) [S13]
- Safety / neighborhood discomfort [S13]
- Reception reliability / process issues (distinct from staff friendliness) [S13]
| Happy point (Hostelworld, last 12m) | Flaneur mentions (pos >=85) | HO36 mentions (pos >=85) | Representative Flaneur quote (date, overall) |
|---|---:|---:|---|
| Reception / process / staff | 11 | 4 | 2025-09-05 (89/100): Clean place, all the facilities, good interaction with staff, very near from Perrache station. All in one, is worth to stay in this place. Recomended |
| Kitchen / bar / common areas | 9 | 4 | 2025-10-20 (86/100): Decent wifi. Bed linen provided. Warm (October) confortable room despite the hard-closing window. Common bathroom is quite clean, but the common kitchen coul... |
| Location / transport | 8 | 7 | 2025-09-05 (89/100): Clean place, all the facilities, good interaction with staff, very near from Perrache station. All in one, is worth to stay in this place. Recomended |
| Bathrooms / cleanliness / odor | 7 | 5 | 2025-10-20 (86/100): Decent wifi. Bed linen provided. Warm (October) confortable room despite the hard-closing window. Common bathroom is quite clean, but the common kitchen coul... |
| Beds / privacy / noise (sleep) | 7 | 5 | 2025-10-20 (86/100): Decent wifi. Bed linen provided. Warm (October) confortable room despite the hard-closing window. Common bathroom is quite clean, but the common kitchen coul... |
| Atmosphere / social vibe | 5 | 2 | 2025-10-15 (100/100): My daughter and I spent a few days here and absolutely loved it. The rooms are comfortable and not overpacked. The lounge and bar are wonderful - good prices... |
| Neighborhood perception | 5 | 8 | 2025-09-02 (89/100): Great stay not too far away from the centre of Lyon. Close from bus and metro. Very friendly staff. Great communal area and terrace. |
| Safety / security (in property) | 4 | 3 | 2025-10-20 (86/100): Decent wifi. Bed linen provided. Warm (October) confortable room despite the hard-closing window. Common bathroom is quite clean, but the common kitchen coul... |
| Value / price | 4 | 0 | 2025-09-05 (89/100): Clean place, all the facilities, good interaction with staff, very near from Perrache station. All in one, is worth to stay in this place. Recomended |
| Amenities (WiFi, laundry, AC) | 3 | 2 | 2025-10-20 (86/100): Decent wifi. Bed linen provided. Warm (October) confortable room despite the hard-closing window. Common bathroom is quite clean, but the common kitchen coul... |
What this implies:
- Even if the physical product is "good enough", the public narrative is not.
- Fixing narrative requires fixing the underlying operational drivers and then creating fresh social proof fast.
## 6) Ranked hypotheses (non-leading; confidence-based)
## 6) The Christmas closure hypothesis (Dec 22-25)
These are hypotheses, not facts. Each has evidence and a suggested validation step.
Le Flaneur homepage includes a seasonal notice: "Conge de Noel du 22 decembre au 25 decembre inclus." [S14]
1) Conversion is being lost on trust: bathrooms/odor + sleep product issues reduce booking conversion for Flaneur (HIGH).
- Evidence: Flaneur has more negative Hostelworld reviews in the last 12 months (11 vs 1), and pain points cluster on bathrooms/odor + safety + reception + beds/privacy. [S22] [S23]
- Validate: track and categorize all complaints for 4 weeks (bathrooms, smell, beds, noise); compare to review narrative shift.
Plausible mechanism (needs validation):
- Closure forces repeat guests (and local word-of-mouth) to choose substitutes.
- OTA algorithms (especially Booking) are momentum-driven; a temporary drop in conversion/availability can reduce short-term ranking, which reduces impressions, which further reduces bookings (feedback loop).
2) Booking.com visibility is plausibly the largest demand lever (MED-HIGH).
- Evidence: Booking ratings are similar but HO36 has ~2.7x the review volume (1,356 vs 502). [S01] [S02]
- Validate: Booking extranet export (impressions, click-through, conversion, ranking, cancellations) for Flaneur; add competitor benchmarks if you have access. (See section 7.)
Evidence needed to confirm/refute:
- Channel bookings before and after closure (especially repeat guest identifiers).
- Booking extranet metrics (impressions, conversion) for Dec and Jan.
3) Price is not the binding constraint (MED).
- Evidence: In the proxy window Flaneur is cheaper and more flexible (refundable) while showing higher availability. [S08] [S09] [S10]
- Validate: ADR vs occupancy by day for last 60 days, with channel split (RoomRaccoon export).
## 7) Ranked hypotheses (with confidence and what to verify)
4) Flaneur's product differentiators exist but are not "winning the first click" (MED).
- Evidence: Flaneur has a full kitchen, coworking/meeting rooms, and accessibility listed, but those do not overcome trust issues in the review narrative. [S11] [S12] [S22]
- Validate: run a listing refresh on Booking/Hostelworld (photos and copy focused on bathrooms/beds/kitchen + proof of cleanliness improvements) and measure conversion lift.
1) Cleanliness/bathroom trust gap reduces conversion (HIGH). [S13]
- Verify: review responses, housekeeping logs, defect rate, bathroom photo quality on OTAs.
5) The Christmas closure may have broken momentum (LOW-MED, needs internal data).
- Evidence: Flaneur publicly states closure 22-25 Dec. [S17]
- Validate: internal: compare channel demand/conversion before vs after closure, and returning-guest behavior (RoomRaccoon + channel export).
2) Booking.com traction gap drives visibility (MED-HIGH). [S01] [S02]
- Verify: Booking extranet ranking + impressions and Genius / preferred status.
## 7) Missing paywalled/internal data (what to pull in the next 60 minutes)
3) Safety/neighborhood narrative hurts Le Flaneur more (MED). [S13]
- Verify: late arrival guidance, entrance lighting, locker/security messaging, review response strategy.
If you need the full picture for a GM decision today, these exports matter more than additional public scraping:
4) Sleep comfort / dorm UX issues compound the above (MED). [S13]
- Verify: curtains, bunks stability, noise, heat/AC, wifi reliability.
Booking.com extranet (Flaneur account):
- Search/visibility: impressions, page views, ranking snapshots for Lyon hostel queries, Genius/Preferred participation, competitive set.
- Conversion: page->booking conversion, cancellations, no-shows, rate-plan performance, availability restrictions (min nights, closures).
5) Closure + momentum break reduced repeat demand and algorithmic position (LOW-MED). [S14]
- Verify: internal channel/time-series data.
Hostelworld extranet (Flaneur account):
- Traffic and conversion, ranking/position changes, source markets, recent review velocity.
## 8) What to do next (triage plan)
RoomRaccoon (Flaneur PMS/channel manager):
- Occupancy and ADR by day (last 90 days), with channel mix.
- Events: closures/stop-sells, min-stay rules, and re-opening campaigns.
Google Business Profile (GBP) for Flaneur:
- Review export for last 12 months (text + date + rating) and GBP insights (calls, directions, website clicks).
For HO36 competitor benchmarking:
- If you cannot access HO36 internals, use third-party market reports (STR-like) or treat competitor internals as unknown.
## 8) Action plan for Flaneur (evidence-mapped)
This is prioritized to address what appears in negative reviews and what converts on OTAs.
### 0-14 days (stop the bleeding)
1) Bathroom trust sprint: deep clean + odor elimination + visible QA checklists; publish new bathroom photos across OTAs. [S13]
2) Reply to the last 50 negative/neutral reviews with specifics: what changed, when, and how you will prevent repeats. [S13]
3) Sleep product quick wins: tighten bunks, add hooks, improve lighting, reduce squeaks; message it as "better sleep" on Hostelworld/Booking. [S13]
4) Safety framing: improve entrance lighting/signage; publish "late arrival" guidance; highlight lockers/security features consistently. [S12] [S13]
1) Bathrooms/odor sprint: deep clean + ventilation/odor remediation; photograph proof; update listing photos (Booking/Hostelworld) with bathrooms + dorm beds + kitchen. [S22]
2) Bed/sleep privacy: add curtains where feasible; tighten bunks; reduce squeaks; message it as "better sleep" on listings. [S22]
3) Guest-mix controls: if long-stay residents are real, set clear policies and communicate them; protect dorm experience. [S22]
4) Safety story: highlight lockers/security, publish "late arrival" guidance, tighten access control narrative. [S12] [S22]
### 15-60 days (rebuild demand)
### 15-60 days (recover channel momentum)
5) Booking review acquisition push: QR at checkout, staff ask, post-stay email; target +30 Booking reviews in 60 days (focus on cleanliness and bathrooms). [S02]
6) Activate the kitchen: 2-3 weekly communal cooking nights (cheap, social, high-UGC) and post it relentlessly. [S12]
7) Listing optimization: replace top-fold photos with bathrooms, beds, kitchen, common areas; keep copy consistent with the "tiers lieu" concept but lead with what converts. [S12] [S02]
5) Review operations: QR at checkout + staff ask + post-stay email; target +30 Booking reviews in 60 days with focus on bathrooms + sleep + safety. [S02] [S22]
6) Activate the differentiator: weekly communal cooking nights (kitchen + bar) to generate UGC and "atmosphere" reviews. [S12]
7) Listing alignment: ensure amenities lists match reality across Booking/Hostelworld/official site (kitchen, coworking, accessibility). [S12] [S17]
### 60-120 days (structural advantage)
### 60-120 days (build structural advantage)
8) Track defect rate: weekly dashboard of cleanliness issues, bathroom incidents, noise complaints; tie it to staff incentives.
9) Package peak periods: NYE-like periods need a clear product (social events + partners + bar programming) and a landing page.
10) If closure is needed in future, pre-plan reactivation: communicate early, keep OTAs consistent, and run a "we're back" campaign to recover momentum.
8) Weekly defect dashboard: categorize issues (bathrooms, noise, safety, reception) and tie to owners/targets.
9) Peak-period packaging: NYE needs a clear product (events + partners + bar programming + landing page).
10) Closure playbook: if closure is required, pre-plan reactivation (OTA messaging, "we're back" offer, review push) to avoid momentum loss. [S17]
## 9) TripAdvisor status (attempted)
## 9) TripAdvisor status (blocked; not a business finding)
TripAdvisor pages remain blocked by a DataDome CAPTCHA in this environment; no bypass attempted. [S18] [S19]
TripAdvisor pages are blocked by a DataDome CAPTCHA in this environment; no bypass attempted. [S18] [S19]
Fast workaround (manual, 5 minutes):
- Open each TripAdvisor listing in a normal browser and save 1 screenshot of the listing header (rating + review count + rank if shown) and commit it to the repo; then this report can include those metrics with citations.
## Appendix A) Hostelworld facilities matrix (full)
Source: Hostelworld facilities JSON for each property. [S11] [S12]
| Facility (Hostelworld) | HO36 | Le Flaneur |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Hour Reception | Yes | Yes |
| 24 Hour Security | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptors | | Yes |
| Air Conditioning | | Yes |
| Bar | Yes | Yes |
| Bicycle Parking | | Yes |
| Board Games | Yes | Yes |
| Book Exchange | Yes | |
| Breakfast Not Included | Yes | Yes |
| Cafe | Yes | Yes |
| Ceiling fan | | Yes |
| Charging Plugs | Yes | |
| Common Room | Yes | Yes |
| Coworking Space | | Yes |
| Dryer | | Yes |
| Filtered Water Dispenser | | Yes |
| Fire Extinguishers | | Yes |
| First Aid Kits | Yes | |
| Flexible NRR | Yes | |
| Free City Maps | | Yes |
| Free Internet Access | Yes | Yes |
| Free Iron / Ironing Board | Yes | Yes |
| Free Luggage Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Free Security Lockers | | Yes |
| Free WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Fridge/Freezer | | Yes |
| Games Room | Yes | |
| Hair Dryers | | Yes |
| Hair Dryers For Hire | Yes | Yes |
| Hot Showers | | Yes |
| Housekeeping | Yes | |
| Internet access | Yes | Yes |
| Internet cafe | | Yes |
| Iron / Ironing Board | Yes | Yes |
| Key Card Access | Yes | |
| Laundry Facilities | | Yes |
| Linen Included | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge Room | | Yes |
| Luggage Storage | Yes | Yes |
| Meeting Rooms | | Yes |
| Microwave | Yes | Yes |
| Mini-bar | | Yes |
| Mini-Supermarket | | Yes |
| Outdoor Terrace | Yes | Yes |
| Paid Security lockers | Yes | |
| Pots and Pans | | Yes |
| Reading Light | Yes | Yes |
| Recycling Bins | | Yes |
| Safe Deposit Box | | Yes |
| Security Lockers | | Yes |
| Self-Catering Facilities | | Yes |
| Sink | | Yes |
| Smoke Alarms | Yes | Yes |
| Smoke Detector | Yes | |
| Stove | | Yes |
| Tea & Coffee Making Facilities | Yes | Yes |
| Towels for hire | Yes | Yes |
| Towels Not Included | Yes | |
| Utensils | | Yes |
| Washing Machine | | Yes |
| Wheelchair Friendly | | Yes |
| Wheelchair-Accessible Bathrooms | | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
## 10) Sources (one URL per line)
@ -183,7 +316,7 @@ https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/data/ho36/raw/h
[S06] HO36 Google Maps embed iframe screenshot (review count)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/data/ho36/screenshots/ho36__google_maps_embed_iframe__20260102.png
[S07] Le Flaneur Google Maps screenshot (rating) + embed iframe screenshot (review count)
[S07] Le Flaneur Google Maps screenshot (rating + review count)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/data/flaneur/screenshots/flaneur__google_maps__20260102.png
[S08] HO36 direct booking pricing snapshot screenshot (Mews, proxy window)
@ -195,10 +328,10 @@ https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/data/flaneur/sc
[S10] Pricing snapshot JSON (room list, prices, availability, refund hints)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/verify/results/pricing_window__20260103_20260104__20260103.json
[S11] HO36 Hostelworld facilities JSON (kitchen: microwave)
[S11] HO36 Hostelworld facilities JSON
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/verify/results/hostelworld_facilities_ho36_270217.json
[S12] Le Flaneur Hostelworld facilities JSON (kitchen: full self-catering; coworking/meeting rooms)
[S12] Le Flaneur Hostelworld facilities JSON
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/verify/results/hostelworld_facilities_flaneur_100844.json
[S13] Hostelworld last-12-month review themes summary (method + counts)
@ -210,10 +343,10 @@ https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/data/flaneur/sc
[S15] HO36 official site screenshot (positioning + amenities highlights)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/data/ho36/screenshots/ho36__official_site__home__20260102.png
[S16] HO36 evidence dataset (booking engine, links, metrics)
[S16] HO36 evidence dataset (positioning, amenities, booking engine, links, metrics)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/data/ho36/evidence.json
[S17] Le Flaneur evidence dataset (booking engine, closure notice, links, metrics)
[S17] Le Flaneur evidence dataset (positioning, amenities, closure notice, booking engine, links, metrics)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/data/flaneur/evidence.json
[S18] HO36 TripAdvisor blocked (DataDome CAPTCHA screenshot)
@ -227,3 +360,9 @@ https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/verify/results/
[S21] HO36 Instagram follower count (audit output)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/verify/results/ho36_googlebot_audit.jsonl
[S22] Le Flaneur Hostelworld reviews (raw JSON; includes text + dates + scores)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/verify/results/hostelworld_reviews_flaneur.json
[S23] HO36 Hostelworld reviews (raw JSON; includes text + dates + scores)
https://git.infrafabric.io/danny/flaneur/src/branch/data/flaneur/verify/results/hostelworld_reviews_ho36.json