But maybe it's $45 if you get a room without weed, $50 with...
We lose money on every transaction. We’re gonna make it up in volume...
My first experience at Larry's was 2012, I needed something that he had for sale (No, not weed) and he gave it to me for free, brewed a pot of coffee, and we had a conversation for a half hour or so before I hiked on. Great guy.
I stayed with him in January of 16 on my thru hike. The breakfast was very good, the bathroom was stocked w/ all supplies needed and then some..(epson salts, floss, etc..) and the bathroom was memorable as being extremely clean and the shower had great pressure and didn't run out of hot water. It was a full house that night w/ 3 thru hikers, a section hiker, a traveler, and I think a couple other guys. Larry made sure that everyone was considerate, and knew that it wasn't the place for a party, but to enjoy ourselves. I had a good experience there and nothing but good things to say about Larry and his place.
That being said, I do not remember what I paid but I know it was less than 45-50 bucks. I would not be able to bring myself to pay that much for any hostel on the AT.
OK, looking over you last posting it it appears that you are doing this to make money and not so much as your calling or mission, as you find that elsewhere. This is well and good and wish you well on it.
The question as to how to turn it profitable. What I see is you have 2 models, a high capacity hostel or a private room BnB setup. The BnB setup seems to be the way you want to go, and most likely is the better one to get into. This especially since The Place does the high capacity hostel already and it's hard to compete with donation based.
But in order to get to a level where hikers are willing to part with $60/night+ it really needs to be stepped up a notch or 2. As stated WiFi is not a extra it's a standard, it is a detractor if it is not there, but not a plus if it is. Is the laundry a service or self serve? Some hostels have mandatory laundry, yes they demand it upon entry - this keeps things clean , along with town clothes to wear in the mean time. In your place I would also have loner bikes, as Damascus is spread out for hikers and you are on one side of town. Shuttle to the supermarket, perhaps that can be farmed out and on call for a small fee. Slack packing opportunity, especially if possible to pick up the pack at the place before which I don't recall if there is any such place, but if there is and you can set up this service it may help get the higher $ hikers in.
As stated I think you will have a difficult time getting hikers or anyone to part with your proposed $50/night for a bunk, $30/night is more the high end limit, and even rich hikers don't want to pay too much, by Damascus they will know the prices and won't want to feel taken advantage of, so the value really has to be stepped up to justify what you want.
And if you are successful you could attract competition which could end up hurting you as others undercut your prices for private rooms if you make it profitable. During my thru I ended up staying in a private guest house in Damascus, it was spectacular very clean, a very high bar to meet, and it worked out to $12.50 pps / night in 2013.