Has anyone used Youth Hostels for holidays

[glitterbiscuits]

DH has some happy times growing up with his hippy mum using YHA for cheap holidays.

I ruled it out based on my image of dormitories with strangers. Although I under now there are family rooms with ensuites!

What are they like these days? Are they comparable to a Travel Lodge or Premier Inn or a bed and breakfast?

I'd love to hear about peoples experiences.

Thanks choma. I didn't know how to say it without being rude, I try not to be judgemental but there is some societal conditioning to the way we think as with a lot of things and I can't help but question whether my little boy and I would be safe. Glad to know. I'm definitely going to look into them especially the ones people on here have enjoyed with children!

When cheap they are a bargain compared to camping though. When you have to pack up your whole house and pay nearly the same for a patch of grass.

They are a great way to have a city break. Accommodation is basic but very clean. Communal areas with board games and pool were loved by the kids.

Be aware though the YHA ones are all done to a great standard but you can also book affiliated privately run ones through their website and the results were hugely variable.

hanks choma. I didn't know how to say it without being rude

Like I said, you're not the first person to say that. I've told some people at work the same thing.

ommunal areas with board games and pool were loved by the kids

They are great - it's a fun way to relax in the lounge.

Yes. I’ve taken ds before (en suite private room) we are going again in a couple of days glamping. It all depends on expectations really. I went as a teen and in my twenties and I think they are better now.

I wonder if anyone on here remembers having to do chores in a YHA?

(doesn't happen now of course)

Choma yes I do I remember washing up after meals a lot!

I'm late 20s now but vividly remember how much I hated being dragged on walking holidays and staying in YHA accommodation (sometimes private rooms and sometimes shared) as a child. My parents liked it as it was something they'd enjoyed in their teens & 20s. I'd never go again. They were always slightly grubby / dishevelled places with odd people and shared bathrooms are not great. Not my cuppa tea.

Me and DH stayed in the Whitby hostel as it was the cheapest place to stay but it’s location is idyllic- right next-door to the Abbey with a beautiful view across the harbour from our room.

We had a family room with two bunk-beds and an en-suite and really couldn’t complain. It was basic but very practical and we were able to park on site for free. We also got a free ticket each to visit the abbey which was handy as we’d planned to go anyway.

I've been googling. Some of the hostels are lovely buildings. Where does the money come from? I thought they were a charity.
Maybe that's why so many comments said the prices had gone up

Where does the money come from? I thought they were a charity

www.yha.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/PDFs/SIGNED%20-%20YHA%20(EW)%202018%20financial%20statements.pdf

Not a bad income from hostels.I think that's where a lot of their money comes from.

Very variable, no price difference between grubby ones that haven’t been updated for 30 years and brand spanking new ones.

www.yha.org.uk/recently-refurbished/previous-refurbishments

Book one of the up to date ones.

Some of the hostels are lovely buildings

I think some of them were donated in the past. Some purchased.

There's a good offer on at the moment if you're a member - 50% off selected hostels for the autumn

I have done it! I became a member and booked to go to Whitby. I don't know Whitby at all
It is more expensive than a Premier Inn but the building looks good and it's an experience.
Thanks to everyone who commented.

I have done it! I became a member and booked to go to Whitby

Enjoy those steps.....it's a lovely location.

We've quite enjoyed our YHA stays in the UK. The family rooms are pretty basic, but the locations are ideal. As has been said, the kitchens and facilities are good and we've found the others staying there have been quite nice too. I'd say yes.

Really enjoy our stays in youth hostels both on my own and as a family over the years. Fabulous locations whether walking or city breaks.
We always get a private room and I like the option to self-cater.
We've stayed all over the UK and Europe and you get the chance to meet lots of people.
I want to go on holiday now.....

We’ve had a few really enjoyable YHA breaks the past few Easters. The hostels are often in great locations, the dc love the games rooms etc & it’s a plus being able to self cater.

However we’ve decided we’re unlikely to use one again as it just doesn’t feel good value given the very basic standard of accommodation.

I guess the difference from a few years ago is that now you can get a premier inn type place pretty much anywhere and it’s more comfortable but cheaper than a yh.

I’m sad to say it as we have had nice breaks (& I have fond childhood memories too) but they just haven’t got it quite right for families at the moment, I don’t think.

@Andonandonan

I think the issue is between the refurbished up to date ones - just as good as a premier inn but with the benefit of a kitchen and the non refurbished ones - we stayed at Grasmere YHA recently, it smelt very strongly of damp, there was no WiFi in the lounge, only one plug socket in the bedroom etc. Great location though, it looked like it hadn’t been refurbished for about 30 years.

I have just booked a couple for about £35 a night for a family room, using their offer, which feels good value. I agree that if you're paying £100+ it just isn't worth it, though I never find premier inns as cheap as I expect either at popular times.

I have used them a lot. You can very often get your own room, and sometimes ensuite. However I don't find them that cheap any more and you can often get a whole air bnb to yourself for a similar price.

We can't use them now because we've got a dog, but we've had some weekend breaks with our children in youth hostels. We stayed in family rooms with an ensuite. Remember to bring your own towels!

We've also stayed in B&Bs that have been similarly priced - the family rooms aren't always that cheap. However, in hostels you can save money on eating out if you cook your own food in the self-catering kitchen, and if you do go for the hostel food, it's quite reasonably priced.

Ghosts have a look at the glamping options - dogs sometimes welcome in bell tents etc

I took my kids to a few. It's a good holiday if you're a lone parent bcs the kids meet other people.

I've stayed in the one in Hampstead while visiting London. Cheap way to stay (in those days).

I always said to my kids that if they got stuck in town and couldn't get home to go to a YH for the night.