Youth hostelling with children?

[SuperBunny]

Does anyone do this?

I am a seasoned camper but wondered if youth hostelling might allow us to visit more places for more of the year. I have NEVER stayed in a youth hostel though so don't know what I'd be letting myself in for. I do have a friend who always took her children to youth hostels and they really enjoyed it but does anyone here do it?

Is it worth it?

I've not but you can get family rooms in some so it's worth investigating.

Haven't done it with children but my parents took me and my brother when we were aged 8 and 10. It ranks as one of our best holidays ever - my brother and I loved it. Lots of hostels have family rooms I think so you can sleep 2 adults and 2 or 3 children in the same room. There's a communal dining room usually and shared bathrooms, lounge etc. I'd definitely plan to take DCs when they're old enough.

I stayed at YHA Scarborugh twice this year, once with friends and once just us.
I have to admit there are pros and cons.
Pros - lots of space for the chldren to run about, probably other families to play with too and reasonably cheap especially if there is more than 4 of you.

Cons - only go if you can do the communal thing. I went with a friend who didn't really get it and spent the weekend clearing up after her LOs in the communal areas. They treat it like home, which you can't really do (eg leaving the washing-up for later, not putting the YH toys away etc). They were very noisy as soon as they woke up (about 6.30am) and we got some very dirty looks the next day from our neighbours.

That said, we're a bit more in tune with the YHA thing and really enjoyed it. You do get to meet some interesting people over a glasss of wine in the evenings. Take plenty, is my advice!

Loved it as a teenager and have done it with two of our boys when they were 5.5 and 3.5; it was fab. We had a double and a twin room, both en suite. City centre and with all YH facilities - would highly recommend as being much more me child friendly than camping and fun to socialise, still self-cater, have somewhere warm and dry of an evening, more room than the average hotel. Go for it.

Sounds fab,might give it a go then!

Thanks

We've done it with DSs when younger (have also done rent a hostel with friends for New Year). In the end we worked out that it was more expensive than many reasonable bed and breakfasts, so we b&bed instead.