Well as we travelled the length of the british mainland, staying mostly in YHA, and SYHA as we went, I thought it would be a good idea to rate the hostels we stayed in using, what else, (as they seem to be all the rage in the Labour Government at the moment), but a League table.
I have marked each hostel out of 10 on the following factors: -
Welcome - How efficient were the wardens on our arrival, and how much of a welcome did we get.
Location - This is based on a scenic point of view so the country ones will score highly here.
Warden - Friendliness and general helpfulness of the warden(s)
Cycle facilities - How good were the cycle facilities from an undercover and security point of view
Self Catering kitchen - Was the kitchen adequately equipped
General - This is really how we felt about the hostel taking everything into account.
|
Rank |
Hostel |
Welcome |
Location |
Warden |
Cycle |
SC |
General |
TOTAL |
|
1 |
Tongue SYH |
10 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
57 |
|
2 |
Slaidburn YH |
8 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
49 |
|
3 |
Bridges YH |
10 |
9 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
48 |
|
4 |
Lochranza SYH |
9 |
9 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
47 |
|
5 |
Glencoe SYH |
6 |
9 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
7 |
43 |
|
6 |
Golant YH |
5 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
39 |
|
7 |
Kendoon SYH |
6 |
9 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
35 |
|
8 |
Loch Ness SYH |
2 |
7 |
1 |
7 |
7 |
3 |
27 |
|
9 |
Carlisle YH |
4 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
3 |
21 |
|
10 |
Chester YH |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
18 |
|
11 |
Carbisdale SYH |
1 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
17 |
Comments
Very well deserved, Tongue is at the top of my league table here with both a stunning location and wardens who couldn't do enough for you, closely followed by Slaidburn, Bridges and Lochranza. Lochranza would have scored higher if it hadn't been for the warden's attitude who seemed to treat his guests like children.
Middle table Glencoe, Golant and Kendoon. Glencoe was just very busy, Golant suffered from lack of organisation and a very poor breakfast (I didn't have food as a category as the SYHA don't do hostel meals), whilst Kendoon being in a wonderful location suffered from a warden who had nothing to do and wanted to keep it that way.
Bottom of the table and up for relegation Loch Ness that despite being right on the shore of the Loch I rated low as one warden was disorganised , whilst the other treated the hostel as a prison camp and hence sucked out what atmosphere there could have been. Carlisle, very impersonal and in a noisy part of town and cycle security that didn't give us any confidence. Chester, again very busy and suffered particularly from lack of organisation (they gave us a key to somebody else's room) and catering staff who treated you like an inconvenience and couldn't wait to close up. Tough luck if you get there after 7:30PM! Carbisdale, what a shame! Could be the SYHA jewel in the crown but instead is suffering from lack of maintenance and hands on care of the wardens.