Our Story

Who We Are

Have you ever met strangers who felt like close friends? Ever been on vacation and truly forgotten about the real world for a while? Those feelings inspired the creation of The Lazy Tiger.

Our founder Ryan was five months into a sabbatical from work, traveling through South America to step away from corporate life and figure out what was next. Work had treated him well, but it wasn't fulfilling, and he had a feeling there was something more. Not knowing exactly what that was, he bought a one-way ticket to Chile.

There were times when Ryan had considered opening a hostel eventually, but it wasn't until he arrived in the adventure town of Pucón, and checked into the Chili Kiwi Hostel, that he realized hospitality was the calling. Chili Kiwi was a perfect example of the positive impact a hostel can have on its guests and proved how vast the difference could be between a well-run hostel and an average one.

Inspired and motivated, Ryan spent the next 4 months traveling to 25+ hostels across 4 countries, paying attention to the details that shaped the guest experience: the spaces that made it easy to meet other travelers, the bunk setups that helped people actually get a good night's sleep, and the little touches that made a place feel like home. He also saw what didn’t work: places that were cold, dark, uncomfortable, or dirty.

The Lazy Tiger was built from those lessons, with a simple goal: create a place that makes Asheville easy, comfortable, and social, whether you’re here for the mountains, the music, or just a quick break from the rat race.

What Matters to Us

At the end of the day, we're not just selling a bed for the night. We're offering the kind of place that helps you have a better trip.

That starts with the basics: a place that feels clean, comfortable, and cared for. We believe those things are non-negotiable, especially in a hostel. When a space feels easy to settle into, everything else gets better.

It also means creating an atmosphere where people can connect naturally. Some guests come to Asheville looking for adventure, some come to rest, and some just want a good home base with the option to meet great people along the way. We try to make all of that possible without forcing any one version of the experience.

More than anything, we want Lazy Tiger to feel like a home away from home. A place where you can quickly get your bearings, feel welcome, and get the most out of your time in Asheville.

Our Policies

• The Lazy Tiger is designed to host travelers; therefore, we allow no guests within a 30-mile radius of the hostel (If an exception is desired, please speak to management)
• All guests will need to show a government-issued ID (Driver's License, State-Issued ID card, or Passport) and credit card (or debit card) matching the name on the ID for one in the reserving party.
• Every guest (or party) must have a credit or debit card on file
• We have a minimum age of 18. There is no maximum age – we welcome the wisdom. All we ask of our guests is to have an open mind 🙂
• No curfew, but we do have quiet hours from midnight - 8 AM
• Our max stay is 7 days, as we're built to host travelers and not serve as longer-term housing
• No outside pets allowed, sorry! We love them too, but not everyone does, and some have allergies. There is a house dog, Chloe, who stays out of guest quarters.
• Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel, send us an email and let us know. If cancelled prior to 48 hours before check-in, you'll receive a full refund minus a 4% credit card processing fee. If cancelled within 48 hours of check-in, you'll be charged for the entire booking.
• If you'd like to change beds during a stay, there's a $20 housekeeping fee. We assess a late checkout fee of $20.