Q. I’ve never rented a hostel before. What
facilities can I expect as a minimum?
All hostels offer safe, clean and comfortable accommodation in
bunk-bedded rooms sleeping between two and 16 people. All bed
linen, self-catering kitchen equipment, cleaning materials, heating
and lighting are provided and there are no extra supplements to
pay. Please note that guests staying at Loch Ossian will need to
bring their own bed sheets. A leaflet listing your chosen hostel’s
equipment will be sent out to you when you book, so you know
exactly what to expect before you begin your stay. PLEASE NOTE ALL
OF OUR HOSTELS ARE NON-SMOKING!
Q. Do we have to be members?
The group leader is required to be a member of
the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA) or another Hostelling
International member association. The annual cost of an SYHA
membership is £9.
Q. Will we have the hostel to
ourselves?
Yes, once you have booked, the Manager of your chosen hostel
will arrange a time on the day of your arrival to hand over your
key. The Manager will inform you of everything that you need to
know and answer any questions that you may have. After that, the
hostel is all yours. All of our hostels have residential staff at
all times (usually in a separate house/living area adjacent to the
hostel).
Q. Will SYHA staff be on hand to help if we
experience any problems during our stay?
Yes. When you book, you will be sent an information leaflet
telling you about your chosen hostel, including the telephone
numbers of SYHA staff in the area to contact in the event of an
emergency.
Q. Are we expected to clean the hostel
ourselves?
You are not expected to mop the floor or scrub
the bathroom! The Manager will keep the toilet and shower areas
clean, if you are booked for more than two nights. Your group
should ensure that kitchen and bedroom areas are kept clean and
tidy during your stay. All we ask is that you leave the hostel
reasonably tidy and to the assured standards outlined in the
booking agreement.
Q. I’m planning a school reunion and hope to invite
over 80 people - do you have a hostel big enough to accommodate us
all?
We have five hostels that cater for groups of 80+: Loch Lomond,
Cairngorm Lodge, Melrose, Kirkwall and Carbisdale Castle, our
largest with 150 beds. Use the search facility to identify a hostel
with the appropriate capacity for your group.
Q. I’m looking for a venue for a Christmas and New
Year celebration. How far ahead do I need to
book?
We take bookings 18 months in advance. To avoid disappointment,
you should book as early as possible, especially for Christmas and
New Year breaks. Please note the minimum rental period for New Year
is 3 nights.
Q. Are the hostels available to rent
year-round?
The RentaHostel scheme primarily operates from October to
February/March. However, it is sometimes possible to have exclusive
use during the normal open-season if you pay for 100% of the beds
(subject to availability). This site lists the standard
RentaHostel availability i.e. those hostels that are specifically
selected for the scheme. If you want to hire any hostel for
exclusive use during the open season, our Reservations Department
on 0845 293 73 73 will be happy to discuss this with you.
Q Are there minimum hire periods?
The minimum rental period for New Year is
three nights, for weddings it is two nights. The minimum hire
period at weekends is generally two nights.
Q. Can I arrange a catering
service?
All our hostels will have self-catering
facilities. In addition our catering service is also available at
most locations. Please ask the Reservations Team about this service
when making your booking.
Q. Are there age limitations on the age of group
members?
None whatsoever, all ages of child and adult
are welcome to hostel but it’s best to call us to discuss this so
we can help you choose a hostel with all the facilities you
need.
Q. Do the hostels have high chairs and
cots?
All our hostels can be provided with high
chairs and cots for your booking, but some of our hostels are more
suitable for small children than others, often those with smaller
family rooms and separate kitchen areas. Please call the
Reservations Team for specific enquiries.
Q. Do you have any hostels with single and double
rooms too?
Most hostel accommodation offer 6 or 8-bedded rooms. Other
hostels have two, three and four-bedded rooms. For details of room
sizes at specific hostels call the Reservations Team or check this
site for more details.
Q. How accessible are the hostels for those with
disabilities?
We have some fantastic locations with disabled
access, however some hostels are more accessible than others;
please check the symbol guide next to the hostel entries or ask
Reservations for recommendations. Assistance dogs are allowed in
the hostels; no other dogs or pets are permitted.