I'm debating a night in YHA (Hartington Hall if that makes any difference) in a couple of weeks as I'll be in the Peak District solo. I intend to book a private room.
I stayed in them a lot in my teens and twenties, but now in my mid forties I have some hesitation. Will I be the weird older bloke? Will I not sleep due to the "kids" staying up all hours? Or am I just overthinking it and it'll be a basic and perfectly functional bed for the night?
Thanks!
Last time I stayed in a youth hostal I was probably the youngest there at 45. Most were over 60.
You'll be fine.
YHAs are full of old blokes. They are the largest user demographic, by far. I'm 61, along with mates of similar age we use youth hostels regularly on hillwalking trips.
Will I be the weird older bloke
No, unless you actually are a weird old bloke in everyday life
Or am I just overthinking it and it'll be a basic and perfectly functional bed for the night?
Yes
I regularly stay in Youth Hostels and I'm 53. I'm usually one of the younger residents. You'll be fine.
1- Why are the yoof not using them in big enough numbers? If it wasn't for oldies, they'd all close. Too expensive now or just don't provide what young'uns are interested in? Or has society lost it's interest in travelling about on a tight budget?
2- Is it time for a rebrand? Current branding makes no sense anymore and hasn't for 30 years. I'd go further - people like the OP either don't know how it currently is or are actively put off by the name.
They're nothing like they were in the olden days. They're now expensive and/or often fully booked out to groups so unavailable. They also don't have the coverage they once did as 'non performers' were sold off.
Nowadays, they have all the downsides of the old YHA; often scruffy, restrictive, poor availability and facilities with the costs approaching more mainstream accommodation. I only use them if there's no/few other option(s) e.g Durness.
1- Why are the yoof not using them in big enough numbers? If it wasn't for oldies, they'd all close. Too expensive now or just don't provide what young'uns are interested in? Or has society lost it's interest in travelling about on a tight budget?
They still get used a lot by school and DoE groups, hence the ability to book the whole hostel. A lot of the time that's done, it's for those sorts of groups.
2- Is it time for a rebrand? Current branding makes no sense anymore and hasn't for 30 years. I'd go further - people like the OP either don't know how it currently is or are actively put off by the name.
Well they've had all sorts of consolidation exercises, selling off hostels that aren't profitable but they've never really been "Youth". There's a long thread somewhere on here from the last round of sell-offs they had about what they were trying to be, who they were aimed at etc.
However, to answer the OP, it'll be fine, willing to bet anyone else there will also be middle aged at least! 😉
Hartington is a nice hostel, I've been there a few times. My Mum (who absolutely does not qualify as anything close to "Youth!) has stayed in a private room there with a friend a couple of times for a weekend break in the countryside type thing. She doesn't like hotels or B&B where breakfast is served; she wants to get up in her own time and sort herself out. She's not very "with it" in the mornings so a YH room gives her the chance to just do things at her own pace.
Thanks all.
I must admit, the cost of staying there is quite interesting. For the cost of a private room at Harrington Hall (and for quite substantially less than a private room at Youlgreave) I can get an AirBnB for the night, albeit in a less good location.
@lunge That's exactly the problem. And your still in a hostel sharing communal facilities often with some pretty odd characters (AKA 'us' 🙃).
In towns my default is Premier Inn for their bikes in rooms policy. Following that, in order; other 'cheap' chain hotels, pubs/normal hotels/b&b's, airb&b's then bunkhouses/hostels. All dependant on availability/cost. Obviously, when touring, you need to be flexible.
Just go!
I'm in my 60's and often stay in youth hostels. Don't feel either old or weird there.
I stayed in them a lot in my teens and twenties, but now in my mid forties I have some hesitation. Will I be the weird older bloke? Will I not sleep due to the "kids" staying up all hours?
go for it! YHA needs our support.
recently at York YHA it wasn't the kids causing all the noise at night but some middle aged blokes who'd obviously been out on the town for a few ales and then came back to the hostel banging doors and shouting in the early hours...
but part from that it was great (says a 57 year old hosteller!), though no more dorms for me, just private rooms 🙂
Hartington Hall YHA is in a fantastic location. Not stayed in many, but it’s the best YHA for me so far. Pizza served in the bar was very welcome after 3 days pedalling to get there. They had secure bike storage. Didn’t have any issues with noise, nearly everyone had gone to bed by 11.
(I was 46 at time of stay and had a private room.)
Only problem with YHAs in general for me are the relatively early closure times of check-in desks.
Some good points as I would like to support yha s, however, for bike touring duties I m a premier inn user. Pay in advance at a good rate, bike in room or secure storage, arrive any time as all confirmed. Other wins are kettle in room for aeropress duties.
I don't get the hate from some quarters, I think they're great. They are often in quirky old buildings with loads of character. At least one castle that I know of and listed mills, old manor houses etc. These are often located ideally for outdoor activities in places you'd never find a soulless Premier Inn (Black Sail for example).
If you're in group and sharing, the costs are not that bad. I've stayed in dozens and whilst basic, they are always clean and functional. Many, if not most have secure bike storage, kit drying rooms etc. You often have the choice of paying for decent cooked food or diy catering in well equipped communal kitchens, many have a bar.
They are usually buzzing with like minded people off out climbing, mountain biking, hill walking etc. so can be sociable places to chat over breakfast or share a beer in the evenings. Horses for courses. I'd use a Premier Inn in a city centre, but in an outdoor activity location in the Lakes, Peaks, Snowdonia etc. I'd choose a YHA over one every time.
Why are the yoof not using them in big enough numbers?
As someone said, Air B&B for big groups.
And "Glamping" for solo / couples / small groups.
Just realized quite how long ago my last stay in a hostel was, let alone a YHA though!
And even nice hotels are seemingly inflation defyingly ludicrously cheap these days. Our trip last month was £70 for a nice room, in a nice hotel in Kirkby Lonsdale including breakfast for two. Even if you don't attach any value to the food it'd be hard to undercut £35/person by enough to make me want a cheaper experience.
just don't provide what young'uns are interested in? Or has society lost it's interest in travelling about on a tight budget?
I don't think that can be the case, just look at the number of news stories for " [free to access location] has been ruined by Instagram". I don't think getting out into the UK's countryside has ever been so popular.
diy catering in well equipped communal kitchens
this is the big one for me, yes a Premier Inn has its uses but I'd rather be in a more convivial place, able to self-cater, it's part of what makes a YHA more special and for me the appeal when travelling on my own.
They are usually buzzing with like minded people off out climbing, mountain biking, hill walking etc. so can be sociable places to chat over breakfast or share a beer in the evenings.
Maybe this is it then....in a world where employers are really struggling to find young people prepared to pick up the phone to talk to clients/colleagues, the thought of being in an atmosphere where talking to strangers is part of the experience might be considered a bit daunting rather than a positive....and the sterility of a Premier Inn (with good wifi to talking to people you already know online) is more appealing.
Hartington Hall YHA is in a fantastic location. Not stayed in many, but it’s the best YHA for me so far. Pizza served in the bar was very welcome after 3 days pedalling to get there. They had secure bike storage. Didn’t have any issues with noise, nearly everyone had gone to bed by 11.
+1. I stayed there a couple of years ago, pizza and beer was very welcome after a long day's cycling. It was good value for a group sharing a room.
Plus it's an easy walk to the pubs in the village.
I can understand that. Sometimes I like the anonymity of a Premier Inn or similar, other times I enjoy the craic as in a Club Hut. The problem with the YHA is it's Club Hut quality for Premier Inn pricing. If I want to go self catering (for budget or just don't want to eat out), AirB&B can be similarly priced with none of the YHA downside.
me and Mrs ton use YHA's a fair bit. some are still fantastic.some are pretty pony. my biggest gripe is the price. which basic sparse, often not very well maintained lodgings, it is far too pricey.
if available in the area we are in, our fave choice is a IBIS hotel. very bike friendly.
Last time we booked a SYHA as a family it was the same cost as the motel in Aviemore, and no way as comfy. It was however ideal for some meeting of other folk, cooking our own meal, the lads being independent of us two etc.
I would also say that as a family with teens, we were almost the youngest staying there!
And it was half empty, as has been our experience of occasional (maybe one or two a year) bookings in SHYA between 2014-2024.
They still get used a lot by school and DoE groups, hence the ability to book the whole hostel.
No. 2 spawn’s school residential is booked in to a YH.
A lot of them are in great locations but inconvenient if you're not arriving by car, which maybe the yoofs aren't. The days when loads of people there might have arrived by bike are long gone. (Obviously for places like Black Sail the remotenes is kind of the point, but I think that's different from somewhere being on a busy-ish road a few miles out of town). On top of that, as mentioned above they're no longer cheap but they look pretty basic next to an AirBnB.
diy catering in well equipped communal kitchens
On the rare occasions I've done that in a hostel, it's been hell on earth. Like all the worst aspects of a student flat.
A village one like Hartington is actually not too bad, it's a lovely building. Private room there and walk into the village for a pub dinner, that's great.
Having a busy dorm-room and trying to cook in a shared kitchen with a dozen other people is something that no amount of cheap pricing would tempt me to do any more.
Being able to cook your own food can, for a family, be a big cost saving over a Hotel.
They would of course be cheaper if more people used them
Yeah we use them a fair bit (with and without our kids in tow) and I'm now 46 (I think)
No problem at all.
However as above some are good and some are not so good, for various different reasons.
I agree that some of the charm is definitely the the buildings and locations, and for that I'd often say it's worth more than the cost of a premier inn if it's a good hostel.
However on the other hand you get some that are badly run, in poor condition, or have the heating turned up hotter than the surface of the sun and windows that don't open - consequently you risk a poor night's sleep.
When I go to one nowadays I tend to prefer staying in one of the outdoor shed style things. Then you have your own space, not too much heating, a bit like camping and you sometimes get a fire pit....yet you can still use all the hostel facilities.
Had a couple of not bad, but slightly annoying experiences last year. First one we were cycle touring, had a long day and were looking forward to the advertised restaurant on site. Got there and as we were the only people and another couple they decided to just not open the kitchen. Had to traipse to the closest (shit) pub a few miles away.
Other annoyance was paying for breakfast the night before only to be told on arrival in the morning that they didn't really have anything. Only got bacon and beans no bread or anything else. No offer of a refund!
Some of the staff can be, erm, characters also but that's part of the fun, really
Being able to cook your own food can, for a family, be a big cost saving over a Hotel.
Sure, but families can do that in an AirBnB, probably for similar, money, without having to share the kitchen with strangers.
I've stayed in plenty of hostels, but they're a tough sell in many ways these days I think.
I've stayed in plenty of hostels, but they're a tough sell in many ways these days I think.
It is definitely something they are struggling with.
Outside of the city ones or, perversely, the really remote ones such as black sail then compared to the proliferation of holiday homes they are struggling to find a market. They do seem to be depending more and more on entire centre bookings, as local councils have to shut down their centres probably the best market.
Going back to the OP that they shouldnt feel concerned about being the oldie since chances are they will be the kid is a bit of a problem for an organisation called the YHA.
You'll be fine, a riding buddy & I stay in them all over the country, We're weird so we hid in the room 🤨 🤣
They do seem to be depending more and more on entire centre bookings, as local councils have to shut down their centres probably the best market.
That does seem to be the case now. A close friend of mine has worked in YHA’s up and down the country for years, places like Kendle, down in the SW, and most recently in Talybont-on-Usk, in many places as assistant manager and looking after the catering. She’s now jacked it in, as her personal circumstances have coincided with the centre going full self catering and only needing two people to run it. I know she’s had a great time working for the Association over the years and got to see and walk in wonderful countryside, but I think she’s reached a point where having a fixed place to live has become more important, especially as her mums health is now somewhat compromised.
It does mean I get to see her for drinks more often, as we’ve known each other for many years.
We're hardly yoofs but stay in them, sometimes only travelling 10 miles to do it. They can be wacky places where you might have unusual exchanges with people or pick up wonderful images, 'we've got the cleanest taps in Hemel Hampstead' went on record. They do vary but they are a great institution and each one that closes is a tragic loss. Attitude not age.
@billmc I totally agree. Unfortunately, for my use case, they're not really first choice now. The days of staying in a shed (Durness), being ordered around by Herr Flick (Glen Nevis), mixing with unwelcome weirdos and queuing for the microwave are over for me - especially at their comparable cost.
I stayed in my first one whilst in Primary School in the Peak (50 years ago bejesus). Went on my first Hostelling holiday in the Dales as a member at 15 and have continued using them since. Though nowadays, as last choice. The charm of mixing with people not of my choice and staying in scruffy, communal accommodation has largely worn off. Having said that, I still stay in climbing club huts with my climbing club chums. However, you know the other club members in advance and can choose to attend or not...
It's a sad reflection on the YHA. It's not an age thing as they always had a wide age range of users. I think it's largely availability and cost. As their target market now seems to be exclusively booked group bookings (presumably due to DBA type restrictions), they are rarely available and when they are, I can stay somewhere 'nice' for similar cost.
@billmc I totally agree. Unfortunately, for my use case, they're not really first choice now. The days of staying in a shed (Durness), being ordered around by Herr Flick (Glen Nevis), mixing with unwelcome weirdos and queuing for the microwave are over for me - especially at their comparable cost.
I stayed in my first one whilst in Primary School in the Peak (50 years ago bejesus). Went on my first Hostelling holiday in the Dales as a member at 15 and have continued using them since. Though nowadays, as last choice. The charm of mixing with people not of my choice and staying in scruffy, communal accommodation has largely worn off. Having said that, I still stay in climbing club huts with my climbing club chums. However, you know the other club members in advance and can choose to attend or not...
It's a sad reflection on the YHA. It's not an age thing as they always had a wide age range of users. I think it's largely availability and cost. As their target market now seems to be exclusive group bookings (presumably due to DBA type restrictions), they are rarely available and when they are, I can stay somewhere 'nice' for similar cost.
We generally get double rooms eg Hartington has the 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' room, lovely carving, comfortable bed and en-suite. We stay in all sorts on our travels but the declining number of hostels restricts choice for many just as eg the Peak is opening up to a whole new diverse population of visitiors.
Well, thanks for all the views, I've booked Harrington, a single private room, and will report back.
If you have a big beard, sandals and an odd approach to shared space, you'll fit right in and definitely leave a lasting impression. Enjoy 🙃
I’m a life member of SYHA, but rarely use them for similar reasons to others in this thread.
i think the shift 25ish yrs ago to remove the need for chores etc was probably the right thing for the time. But I think the world has moved on again in times of airBnB, and actually if they look at their core mission a member driven org with volunteering driving reduced fees would actually be worth reconsidering. I do occasionally consider standing as a trustee - but I don’t think I’m passionate enough about it.
I've used the one in Berwick a couple of times, cycle up from home, walk the walls, fish and chips, couple of beers. Its a beautiful building set right on the harbour and attached to the city walls. Cracking breakfast as well.
Osmotherley next for me.
i think the shift 25ish yrs ago to remove the need for chores etc was probably the right thing for the time. But I think the world has moved on again in times of airBnB, and actually if they look at their core mission a member driven org with volunteering driving reduced fees would actually be worth reconsidering.
Interesting point. Yes, a reduced fee through doing some of the housekeeping would give it a USP again.
Communal rooms were very much part of getting the price down obviously to some some of those have given way for space for more private rooms and ensuites.
Random thought - I wonder how they are dealing with the single sex rooms and the changes after the recent court ruling.
a group of 5 of us had a few nights 'bikepacking' the other week, 2 nights in the Port Charlotte one on Islay and 2 night in Lochranza, on Arran. Port Charlotte was one of the best we have used, very helpful warden, clean and tidy rooms, nice layout and good common space, felt almost like a basic hotel. Lochranza, where we have been before is a depressing smelly building in a state of poor repair.
I'm not sure that their model is going to last, the breakfasts haven't changed in a decade or more, and the pricing isn't anything bargaintastic compared to other offering now available.
Maybe this is it then....in a world where employers are really struggling to find young people prepared to pick up the phone to talk to clients/colleagues, the thought of being in an atmosphere where talking to strangers is part of the experience might be considered a bit daunting rather than a positive....and the sterility of a Premier Inn (with good wifi to talking to people you already know online) is more appealing.
STW : No you won't be weird or old, they're full of people just like us.
Also STW : Why does no one want to go to hostels and talk to us?
STW : No you won't be weird or old, they're full of people just like us.
Also STW : Why does no one want to go to hostels and talk to us?
😀
Yeah but not but....it's a self fulfilling prophesy innit. Some 'brave' younger people go (who can tolerate the smell of imperial leather and don't retch are the sight of old feet in sandals) so there are now young people to talk to for prospective other young people to talk to...."if you build it, they will come" and all that.
."if you build it, they will come" and all that.
I think in the case of YHA, they need to RE-build it. It's been mentioned in previous threads on YHA but they've long since lost their way, they're struggling to find their market, the current branding doesn't help (and as mentioned upthread, were they ever "youth"?!)
Time to re-brand, reinvent themselves and rebuild it as something that young people DO want to go to. Not something that young people go to cos the school has booked them in there.
Could really push the traditional touring aspect of it by doing tiered pricing: arrive by walking or cycling = cheaper than arriving by car.
In the olden days, you HAD to arrive on foot, bicycle, canoe or horse. You also had to do a horrible chore before leaving and the hostel was completely closed between 10:00 and 17:00... Not very 'customer' friendly.
