Does anybody use the family rooms at Youth Hostels?

[Twiglett]

DH was looking at them and some of them look rather nice .. and its fairly cheap .. so we're going to try them out (he's joined the YHA too)

anybody any experience

NO but I have been weighing them up so report back!

yes
what do you need to know?

Experience from years ago, a lot more civilised in a rustic sort of a way than backbackers hostels. Bars and cafes are a much newer addition to YHA hostels and they don't do 20 bed mixed dorms. Smaller hostels still have stricter curfews.

Big range of rooms available for families, best to book well in advance to get family rooms, or you will have to split into male / female dorms. All beds are normaly bunks.

I love the little remote hostel with no tellies and thriving commen rooms full of cheery hickers sharing their tales. Bigger hostels tend to find every one crowded round a telly with no conversation.

My happiest recent experience of YHA was eating delicious fresh trout in the restaurant at the Borrowdale hostel while various complete strangers took it in turns to walk around with my crying 9 month dd

The rooms are basic but there are many compensations.....

Have been looking at these too, they are 'pushing' them at families at the moment I think? Some look nice.

The YHA are trying to rebrand as they seem to appeal to rambler types average age 60, with plusfours and knee high socks with brown walking boots.

We have both as a family by ourselves and in a rent a hostel with other families. The rooms are OK but you need to self cater in order for it to be much better value than a B&B which will have more mod cons. The bunks in the ones I stayed in didn't have any type of built up guard on the sides so are definitely not suitable for young children.

Yep we use YHA's for our business, mainly Wilderhope Manor in Shropshire mind, but have also use St Briavels in Gloucs/Monmouthshire

The family rooms at Wilderhope are lovely, one has a double bed, 4 x bunks and more pull out still, plus decent bath n loo etc all to itself!! The other two are 4 x bunks per room, with a shower room n loo between them, but they're nice and have a top floor sitting room to share. The only disadvantage is they're reached by a solid oak spiral staircase, so wouldn't use for under 3's who are walking, as scare hazard! ok for babies though. dd1 who is now 3 manages ok on the stairs.

I had a look at these online, but thought they seemed pricey - I've found self-catering cottages in Cornwall in school summer holidays for the same or less and with better facilities!

Perhaps it was just the areas I was looking at, I might have another browse. I'd be interested in what others have actually paid. Perhaps it's just that 5 of us tends to work out expensive anyway!