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Summary of reviewsGlen Nevis Youth Hostel is lauded for its outstanding location, situated right at the start of the Ben Nevis trail, making it an ideal base for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The hostel offers breathtaking views of Ben Nevis and the surrounding peaks, providing guests with easy access to hiking trails and the serene natural environment of Glen Nevis. Its strategic position, just a short drive from Fort William’s shopping facilities and restaurants, combines seclusion with accessibility.
The reviews speak positively about the hostel's clean and spacious rooms, whether private or dormitory, equipped with modern amenities. Guests particularly appreciate the large common areas, including a well-equipped kitchen, a cozy living room with a log-burning stove and a practical drying room. The hostel maintains high cleanliness standards throughout its bathrooms, showers and communal areas, contributing to a comfortable and hygienic stay.
The staff at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel receive consistent praise for being friendly, helpful and attentive. They are often commended for their warm reception and knowledgeable advice about the local area, enhancing the overall guest experience.
While breakfast receives mixed reviews with some guests appreciating its simplicity and quality, others mention a desire for more variety and better value. Dinner options are more positively noted with convenient access to nearby restaurants and pubs. The hostel offers frozen pizzas for those preferring to stay in, although more on-site evening food options would be a welcome addition.
The beds are generally comfortable and clean with appreciated features such as plug sockets and USB ports. However, there are some concerns about the comfort level and suitability for taller guests.
Free Wi-Fi in common areas is a useful amenity, though the service can be inconsistent in rooms. Despite occasional connectivity issues, the overall facilities and services are highly regarded.
Accessible for travelers with disabilities, the hostel offers modern facilities including accessible bathrooms and a well-equipped kitchen. Transportation to and from Fort William is convenient with local buses and taxis readily available.
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel provides a high-quality experience with its modern amenities, excellent location and welcoming atmosphere, making it a popular choice for adventurers and travelers seeking comfort in the Scottish Highlands. Show more
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Categories
Luxury Hostel
Hostel near Ski Resorts
Cheap Hostel
Small Hostel
5-Star Hostel
Room Types
Bunk Bed in Male Dormitory Room This is a bed in a shared room with views over the surrounding mountains.
Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room This is a bed in a shared room with 4 sets of bunk beds and views over the surrounding mountains.
Standard Twin RoomThe majority of rooms have 2 single beds but some rooms may have bunk beds.
Triple Room with BathroomThe triple room offers heating, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The triple room features mountain views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Quadruple Room with Private BathroomThe quadruple room features heating, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 4 beds.
Standard Twin RoomThe twin room provides heating, as well as a private bathroom featuring a walk-in shower. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Location
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel boasts an outstanding location that appeals to hikers and nature enthusiasts alike. Situated right at the start of the Ben Nevis trail, it offers unparalleled access to the stunning peak and its scenic surroundings. The setting is praised as being in the heart of nature, surrounded by woodland, mountains and the beautiful scenery of Glen Nevis. It's a fantastic spot for hiking with easy trails and cross-country skiing nearby.
The hostel's position is also very convenient, just a short drive from Fort William’s shopping facilities and restaurants, making it the perfect hybrid of seclusion and accessibility. The clean rooms and friendly staff add to the hostel’s allure, making it an ideal base for both short stays and extended explorations in the Scottish Highlands.
The views are a highlight with guests enjoying breathtaking vistas of Ben Nevis and other peaks right from the hostel. Whether it's for climbing the highest peak in the UK or simply soaking in the serene natural environment, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel offers a prime location that is hard to beat. Its positioning at the foot of hiking trails and direct access to the Ben Nevis uphill trail make it a top choice for adventure seekers.
Breakfast
Guest reviews of the breakfast at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel reveal a mixed experience. Some guests found the breakfast to be good with phrases like "good breakfast," "very good," "simple but tasty," and "excellent breakfast" suggesting a pleasant start to the day for some. However, many noted that breakfast choices were limited, calling it "very sparse," "basic," and "limited selection." Several comments mentioned the absence of hot options and traditional Scottish breakfast items, instead describing the spread as consisting mainly of basic cereals, breads, coffee and tea.
While a few appreciated the quality with remarks on "quality breakfast" and "lovely breakfast," others found it disappointing and not worth the price, using terms like "disappointing breakfast," "poor value," and "super overpriced." There were also mentions of the breakfast being disorganized and expensive relative to the offerings.
The hostel seems to offer scenic views from the breakfast area with some guests enjoying the mountain vistas. Overall, potential guests should expect a simple breakfast and manage their expectations regarding variety and value.
Dinner
Nestled in a scenic location, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel boasts proximity to several delightful dining options. Guests found it convenient to walk to nearby restaurants, making it easy to enjoy tasty evening meals without a long commute. The restaurant next door received positive mentions, noted for its nice food. Additionally, two good pubs close by offer local craft beer, adding to the local dining experience.
While there is no internal food shop for cooking quick dinners at the hostel, it's advisable to stock up on groceries in nearby Fort William. Some reviewers suggested that it would be beneficial to have more on-site evening food options, such as something beyond a pot noodle. However, the hostel does provide frozen pizzas that guests can bake and there are recommendations for supper spots that patrons appreciated.
Overall, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel offers easy access to a variety of dining venues, ensuring guests have ample choices for a satisfying evening meal.
Rooms
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel offers a comfortable and convenient stay with mostly positive guest feedback about its rooms. Many visitors appreciate the clean and comfortable accommodations, noting that the rooms are well-maintained and furnished. Guests have frequently commented on the spacious nature of both private rooms and dormitories, highlighting the modern and well-equipped facilities throughout the hostel.
The kitchen receives high praise for its ample space and variety of equipment, making it ideal for self-catering. Common areas are described as pleasant, warm and inviting, including a large common room with a fireplace that creates a family-friendly atmosphere.
Private rooms often come with their own bathrooms and are noted for being clean and functional, despite some comments on the small size of certain rooms and occasional noise. The hostel’s large drying room and multiple plug points with individual reading lights in dorms add to the comfort and practicality of the stay.
While some guests noted minor inconveniences such as door issues, small shower facilities and occasional noise, the overall feedback emphasizes cleanliness, modern amenities and a welcoming environment. The location at the foot of Ben Nevis is considered ideal, though a bit distant from the nearest supermarket.
In summary, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel provides a well-rounded and enjoyable experience with clean, spacious and well-equipped rooms, making it a great choice for travelers seeking a comfortable and functional stay close to nature.
Beds
The beds at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel have garnered mixed reviews from guests with a significant number appreciating their comfort and practicality. Many guests found the beds to be very comfortable with positive remarks about the cleanliness and fragrant linen. Features such as plug sockets and USB ports by the beds have been well-received. However, several guests noted that the bunk beds could be challenging, especially for taller individuals or those who find the narrow steps inconvenient.
Some guests mentioned the beds being too short or narrow, which posed issues for those over 1.90m. Additionally, the comfort level varied with some describing the mattresses as firm or even saggy, leading to discomfort during sleep. While there were instances of firm and perfect mattresses, reports of thin and old mattresses did arise, suggesting variability in bedding quality across rooms.
Despite these concerns, the generally comfortable and clean nature of the beds, coupled with the addition of USB ports and plug sockets, suggests a considerate approach to guest needs. Although improvements could be made to accommodate taller guests and enhance mattress consistency, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel offers a decent level of comfort for travelers.
Cleanliness
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel offers a pristine and welcoming experience nestled at the foot of Ben Nevis, creating the ideal starting point for hiking enthusiasts. Renowned for its immaculate cleanliness, this hostel maintains high standards throughout its bathrooms, showers and communal areas. Guests frequently highlight the spotless and modern rooms with clean and fragrant linen contributing to a more hotel-like feel than a typical hostel.
The kitchen facilities, while basic, are generally clean and functional, though some guests noted issues with cleanliness and availability of kitchenware. The hostel's modern common areas provide spacious and tidy spaces for relaxation. Despite a handful of comments on specific areas needing more attention, the overall maintenance and hygiene are top-notch, making it a comfortable and safe option for travelers.
Equipped with friendly staff and excellent facilities, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel ensures a pleasant stay in a beautiful and secluded location, perfect for exploring the natural splendors of the surrounding area.
Staff
The Glen Nevis Youth Hostel has garnered consistent praise for its standout staff. Reviews frequently commend the team for being friendly, helpful and attentive. Guests note that the staff members are welcoming and courteous, often going above and beyond to meet visitors' needs and offering knowledgeable advice about the local area. Specific mentions highlight staff members like Henry, who were particularly helpful and accomodating.
Despite a few isolated criticisms, the overwhelming sentiment reflects a positive experience with the hostel's personnel. Visitors appreciated the warm reception and attentive service, making their stays smoother and more enjoyable. The combination of the friendly team and the hostel's ideal location for hiking and exploring the area ensures guests leave with favorable impressions.
Wi-Fi
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel boasts a variety of praise for its accommodations and facilities. The rooms are consistently described as very spacious, clean and comfortable with modern and well-kept décor. Guests appreciate the ample and functional communal kitchen, which is both huge and well-equipped. The living room area is cozy, complemented by a log-burning stove, adding to the inviting atmosphere. The drying room is noted as a particularly nice feature, especially for outdoor enthusiasts.
The common areas, including the beautifully decorated communal spaces, enhance the overall experience of the hostel. Guests also frequently mention the friendliness of the staff with particular recognition for a staff member named Emily, who is remembered for going above and beyond in her service.
While the hostel excels in many areas, the Wi-Fi service presents some inconsistencies. Although the Wi-Fi is described as good or excellent by several guests, others have experienced spotty connectivity or found it unreliable, particularly in the rooms. During a recent storm, the Wi-Fi was completely down. However, the free Wi-Fi in common areas remains a useful amenity for many visitors.
Overall, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel offers a comfortable and accommodating stay with a strong emphasis on cleanliness, modern facilities and a welcoming atmosphere, despite some occasional Wi-Fi issues.
5 Star
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel receives high praise for its quality and value with many recommending a stay. Guests frequently highlight its top-notch services and beautifully decorated interiors, describing it as not just a hostel, but comparable to a hotel. The hostel is noted for its modern amenities, rivalling the hospitality of 4-star establishments and even boasts a breakfast rate worthy of such high standards. All in all, the hostel is often regarded as the best of its kind, delivering a 21st-century experience that surpasses the expectations set by many hotels.
Accessible
Glen Nevis Youth Hostel is praised for its accessibility for travelers with disabilities. The hostel is reachable by car and offers convenient parking facilities. It's strategically located near the Ben Nevis trailhead, making it a great choice for hikers. The modern facilities include accessible bathrooms and a well-equipped, accessible kitchen and entrance. Guests also appreciated the friendly and welcoming staff.
Transport connectivity is another advantage with easy access to Fort William via local buses and a short bus ride to the city center, where whole-day tickets are available. Although it is slightly off-center, taxis are readily available, making it easy to get to and from Port Williams.
The hostel is described as very accessible and welcoming with room configurations suitable for disabled mountain climbers. Facilities such as a great drying room and communal spaces are appreciated by guests. Cleanliness and a general welcoming atmosphere contribute to an enjoyable stay at this accessible hostel.
No, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel.
No, Glen Nevis Youth Hostel doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel.