Youth Hostelling

kabie

I've been to youth hostels a couple of times but that was years ago.
Now I'm taking the family for a one night stay in a family room: it was the only accomodation available apart from a tent and I'm a wimp: it's cold.
Has anyone been to a youth hostel recently? From their website it all looks fine but is there anything I should know? Is it just the same as a B&B without the breakfast?
thanks

(it seemed like such a good idea when I booked it but I'm starting to wibble with the thought of a 4 year old and an 8 year old just in case it's not too child friendly)

JanetG

Hi Kabie

My family (2 adults and an 8 year old boy) have stayed in a couple of youth hostels this year (Coniston Holly How & Truleigh Hill) - and we've had a great time!

The family rooms are basic but clean. Bunk beds normally, but you may be lucky and find a double in there. The rooms aren't usually en-suite, but there are plenty of toilets & washrooms / showers.

Most youth hostels serve a choice of breakfasts at an additional cost, although some do include it in the price of the room. And they've usually got a self catering kitchen where you can make your own meals if you want.

Most hostels welcome kids and have books & games etc to keep them amused. The hostels have a really friendly atmosphere and my son didn't have any problem making new friends.

Hope this helps. I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay. The kids'll love it!

Janet

kabie

That sounds great. The one we're going to is on Mull; I think it's quite small and doesn't offer any meals at all, although it does have a kitchen. If it's good I was thinking of trying some others at some point: it's costing us a total of £31 for the night and that's fab. Other half was totally against it but had to cave in when we couldn't find anywhere else to stay: I'd left it up to him so naturally everywhere was already booked up before I took over lol.
They sound so good and are such good value I feel there must be something wrong or we'd hear more about them: I'm so cynical.

tiff

I think a lot of people these days dont realise that youth hostels are not just dormitories for young people any more. Facilities vary with each hostel but there are plenty with family rooms and facilities etc. LAst time I looked there was a London one with rooms for £26 a night!

black-saturn

Do you have to be younger than a certain age to stay in one?

tiff

No. Here;'s a link to the YHA Faq.

http://www.yha.org.uk/Join_YHA/About_YHA/FAQ_Frequently_Asked_Questions.html#young

rede

Use YHA 3-4 times a year for weekend breaks with the family (& adults for mtb), our little one loves the family rooms, he can eat when he want, he gets to sleep in a bunk bed.

They may not be for everyone but we have had some great holidays using YHA. If you look on their website you will notice that the hostels have a star rating & they also do a separate family brochure

Hope you have fun.

I won't say which ones are the best/most fun, because I want to be able to book up space for us.

SallyD

Youth Hostels are cheap and cheerful. I wish I had found them years ago. Not only are they in England,Wales and Scotland but all over the world. https://www.hihostels.com is the worldwide site. Most have a kitchen for hostellers use,pans,knives & forks etc., some have a cafe where you can buy breakfast,dinner etc., Continental hostels always include breakfast in the price and sometimes charge you a bit extra for sheets. They have great activity breaks which are affordable. Okay some hostels are better than others but all in all great fun. Enjoy and I am sure you will be planning more trips - Lake District,Bath,York,Cornwall,Jersey - just about everywhere!

kdee_2

We have had very mixed stays in Youth Hostels over the last 18months.
All peak district ones were great. Loads of kids for my brood to play with.
School dinner style meals (sorry, I will qualify, school dinner style meals as they used to be - wholesome and appetising rather than the dross they churn out nowadays!)
Our worst was Boggle Hole. We arrived and there was a whole woman's convention making a rug out of ribbons. The smell of jos sticks was unbearable and they did lots of hugging
They also wanted to turn the one lounge into some sort of "quiet room".
Not great.
Apart from that, on the whole, it has been fine.

cundall

All youth hostels are different, some clean some not so!

I always go to a site like http://www.hostelworld.com/ as this has reviews of the hostels and they are only stored for 6 months so you dont get a review of a place just been done up 10 years ago.

Overall most are very good.

kabie

We're back
Had a great time. The hostel was basic but fine. Better than a B&B when travelling with children and very clean and friendly. The common room had a good stock of toys, books and games and there was a little boy staying that my two made friends with. I've got a brochure and am planning where to go next, there's a pretty fine looking castle not too far away that I fancy and some of the more remote ones look interesting. Glad all the B&B's were full now or we wouldn't have thought of a hostel!