Attic Backpackers: Putting people first with help from SiteMinder

OPERATIONS

Tucked away on the top floor of a heritage building in Auckland’s mid-town, Attic Backpackers is a 100-bed haven for travellers seeking more than just a place to sleep. With its easy, relaxed atmosphere and spaces designed for comfort – like a kitchen big enough to actually cook in and generous common areas – Attic quickly becomes a base for guests exploring the city or setting out on bigger adventures. The staff, many of whom are travellers themselves, offer the kind of practical help and local wisdom that transforms a stay into a genuine connection. “If Attic is your first stop in New Zealand, you’re in good hands,” says owner Patrick Sanders. What sets Attic apart in a city crowded with large, corporate hostels is its human touch. Locally owned and operated, Attic reflects a deep understanding of what backpackers need because the team has been there themselves. “Attic is the kind of place where information is easy to find, help is always available, and nothing feels over-managed or impersonal. Guests don’t choose Attic because it shouts the loudest—they choose it because it feels right,” shares Patrick.

Why it matters: “Before SiteMinder, managing online distribution across multiple OTAs and channels was more manual and more fragmented than we wanted it to be,” explains Patrick.

It limited how Attic could respond, how many markets they could reach and how much control they have over pricing, availability and the booking experience itself.

Top 3 Core Objectives: Attic wants to gain more control and reach in a continuously evolving platform for distribution, payments and guest expectations.

Increase direct bookings: Increase online visibility with Demand Plus.
Streamline payment processes: Save several minutes per guest at check-in.
A Unified platform: With pricing, availability, and channels connected in one place to reduce manual updates and double bookings.

Innovators Mentioned

Attic Backpackers

SiteMinder

Patrick Sanders

Owner

Attic Backpackers

"Demand Plus has helped reduce our reliance on third-party channels by driving more guests to book directly. While the overall mix is still influenced by market conditions, we’ve seen a clear increase in direct bookings since implementing Demand Plus, particularly from guests discovering us earlier in their planning journey."

Patrick Sanders

Owner

👍 Owner Patrick Sanders said that Attic has enjoyed increased online visibility and a noticeable lift in direct bookings, helping more guests find and book Attic directly:

"Demand Plus has helped reduce our reliance on third-party channels by driving more guests to book directly. While the overall mix is still influenced by market conditions, we’ve seen a clear increase in direct bookings since implementing Demand Plus, particularly from guests discovering us earlier in their planning journey."

⚖️ The selection process: During their research process, Patrick Sanders evaluated SiteMinder's product differentiators, customer support, and holistic value as a strategic partner and ultimately decided that SiteMinder was the best fit solution:

Owner Patrick Sanders said, about their decision: "The data supports our management accounts, helps us understand booking patterns and channel performance, and informs day-to-day operational decisions. Having clear, accessible analytics in one place makes it easier to review performance and spot trends without pulling data from multiple systems."

📈 The results: For Patrick and the team, the greatest benefit of SiteMinder’s software is the freedom to focus more time on guests. With payments, distribution, and analytics handled, staff are more present and available – welcoming guests properly, answering questions, and making sure everyone feels comfortable and supported.

A clear increase in direct bookings since implementing Demand Plus.
The booking process is now simpler and more intuitive, making it easier for guests to commit earlier, complete payments, and add extras at the time of booking.
Payments are handled consistently, reconciliation is simpler, and there’s less room for error or follow-up. It’s also reduced the amount of time Attic's team spends switching between systems or resolving payment issues.