Women’s Only Hostel: Margo Lopyreva
A Game-Changer for Female Travelers
Bed in 6-bed male room: $30/night. Bed in 6-bed mixed gender room: $30/night. Bed in 6-bed female room… $45/night! If you’ve ever been a budget-conscious traveler, you’ve likely encountered this scenario. It forces women to choose between what’s best for their wallets or their safety.
Many hostels acknowledge that women feel safer in all-female dorms but raise prices for these rooms. Even though the dorms are identical to their male-only counterparts, they know women will begrudgingly pay the increase for peace of mind. It’s frustrating and unfair.
I’ve made the mistake of staying in a coed room once to save money—a decision I instantly regretted. It was off-season, so the room was empty except for one man and me. There’s no other situation where I’d spend the night locked in a room with a strange man, hoping for the best. Although he turned out to be a gentleman and was clearly just as uncomfortable with the sleeping arrangement as I was, it could have ended differently. I’ve stayed in hostels around the world and met some amazing people, but I’ve also encountered a few very creepy men.
The Beginning of WOH!
Margo Lopyreva saw this issue and recognized an opportunity to fill a gap in the hostel industry. When planning her hostel in Prague, she made the bold decision to make it a women-only space. She understood that women wanted affordable, safe, and high-quality accommodation, and so Women’s Only Hostel (WOH) was born.
It was a brave decision. By branding her new business as women-only, Margo instantly cut out half of the potential market. She wondered if enough solo female travelers shared her vision to sustain demand. Taking a leap of faith, Margo trusted in the growing need for women-only spaces—and she was right! WOH has thrived since its inception and was fully booked every night during my stay.
A Safe Haven for Women
WOH was built by women for women, and designed to be a safe and welcoming base for exploring Prague. Its cheerful, feminine ambiance fosters connections among travelers who share a common mantra: “Why wait for someone to travel with; I’m going to be brave and go alone.” It’s a place where friendships form effortlessly.
Thoughtfully Designed With Solo Female Travelers in Mind
Margo and her team considered everything when creating WOH.
Margo began by using her background in real estate to carefully consider a location. She didn’t rush the process and selected a prime location inside Teynhof Plaza in the heart of historic Old Town. It’s close to all the must-see sights, trendy cafes, and popular party spots but is shielded from the noise and chaos of the public street.
While Margo has extensive experience in hospitality and accommodation management, this was her first hostel and she wanted to get it right. Margo spent time researching hostels, staying in them, and analyzing what makes a great hostel experience. This preparation is evident in every detail of WOH:
Amenities for Comfort and Convenience: Complimentary eye masks for sleeping, strong wifi, and built-in reading lights. Enjoy clean bathrooms with ample hot water, plus anything you may have forgotten to pack like shower gels, shampoo, tampons, and the all-important hairdryer. No bad hair days at this hostel!
Quality Sleep: High-quality mattresses, hotel-grade sheets, and options for bunk beds with curtains or single beds with canopies.
Safety First: Keypad entry to the building and fob-locked bedroom doors. WOH also provides under-bed storage (bring your own lock or borrow one at reception) and a locker with a provided key.
Community Spaces: An outdoor terrace for stargazing, a common room and dining area for mingling, and a private workspace for digital nomads. An announcement board also keeps guests in the loop with hostel events and ideas for things to do in Prague.
Extras That Matter: A kitchen stocked with essentials like cereal and rice, a laundry room, luggage storage, and even an expression wall where women can leave notes or artwork for fellow travelers.
Margo’s attention to detail extends to her pricing. WOH doesn’t charge a premium for being women-only. Margo’s goal is to strike a balance between providing high-quality experiences and remaining accessible to as many women as possible.
Why WOH Stands Out
I’ve stayed in some amazing hostels, and some truly disgusting ones where you know you aren’t the first person to be sleeping in the sheets, but WOH tops them all. Spacious, clean, bright, and beautifully accommodating, it’s a great hostel. Then add that it’s women only—it becomes amazing! But don’t just take my word for it. This is one of the highest-rated hostels in Prague.
Guests describe it as:
“A fantastic experience!”
“The safest, cleanest, kindest hostel I’ve ever been to!”
“Loving this hostel!”
Paving the Way for Women-Only Spaces
WOH proves that women-only spaces don’t need to come with a “pink tax.” It challenges the outdated notion that creating something specifically for women must come at a higher cost. By designing a space that’s safe, affordable, and welcoming, Margo has set a new standard for hostels worldwide.
Spaces like WOH are so important! They empower women to travel solo without fear, knowing there’s a safe haven waiting for them. And they remind women that the world is full of opportunities for fearless exploration—and sometimes, all you need is to trust your instinct and start your journey.
If you’re planning a trip to Prague, book your stay at WOH and experience the difference a women-only space can make.
