YHA Reviews 533

I had a broken foot . I requested a lower bunk. The hostel refused to respond to my request. I called up and they said they had no lower bunks. I explained I could not get into an upper bunk because I have a broken foot. I asked to void the booking they refused. I called back the next day and spoke to the manager and he refused my refund. Every time I called they patronised and put the phone down. I contacted customer service and they ignored my concerns and banned me for five years falsely claiming I swore on the phone. Because the staff refused to refund me and kept putting the phone down they tried to justify their behaviour by falsely lying that I swore. Only the YHA could end up banning someone for five years who has a broken foot and only asked for something reasonable or a refund. Even if I had sworn is a five year ban from every hostel in the country really proportionate. I didn’t even enter the hostel and the conversation was over the phone. It is just bullying. They also have a customer charter that claims to put the needs of the customer at the heart of everything they do. Really really disappointing. Do not use the YHA if you have medical needs or do not use them full stop. There is a very poor culture, that is bordering on toxic throughout the association, from top to bottom. They prioritise money over the needs of the customer. A dying association which will reach its demise with their current attitude. Best to steer clear. Their customer service team is pointless and actually very dismissive. They will pretend to listen and just ignore you. Don’t waste your time with them

I asked for a very basic medical accommodation when booking; to sleep on a bottom bunk. The hostel refused to give me any guarantee, on the grounds that this was not a reasonable request.

Travelers with medical accommodations should be aware before booking!

I booked a trip but half an hour after booking i received a phone call to say we need to view a property as we are in the process of moving,i then emailed the yha only to be told no refund would be made due to their policy,however the trip is days away,so then i contacted expedia who took the payment but yet no money left my account,that was a lie,now im fighting to get a refund and expedia and yha are shutting me down saying they cant help,the yha have been given enough time to refund me a warning to anyone trying to get their money back ive responded to the yha but now they dont reply back now they have said no refund,no part refund they were given anough notice now they will have sold that room and make more money how greedy is that

Another great stay in YHA Keswick, 2 of us had a room to ourselves with 5 beds, only negative only 1 locker

Staff was super rude, treated us like shit and called us stupid for entering the kitchen, threatened to terminate us for asking questions. would not recomend to anyone. rooms were extremely nasty aswell.

YHA Byron Bay! I am shocked at how disgusting the room is. There is cobwebs, lots of dust and even old chewing gum stuck all over the bed canopy (bunk bed). I also doubt the bed linen has been changed. I have asked for it to be cleaned or just for cleaning supplies so I can do it myself. It could not be done, but maybe tomorrow. SO I HAVE TO SLEEP IN IT?!?!

I was so offended by the contemptuous customer service - Harry’s first response lacked integration and he didn’t even have the courtesy to respond the next one - that cancelled my membership at a time when I was looking to take regular camping and cabin breaks and support a worthwhile cause at the same time.

The issue was being turned away from Castleton as I had a dog - not something that YHA considered worth mentioning in their website sections on: dogs; camping and cabins; Castleton’s own camping and cabins’ section; the hostel need to know section; or the two emails they sent me with information about my trip.

Even worse I had reached the Castleton site via the a link under the YHA’s ‘favourite doggy destinations’ section!

Mistakes happen but the arrogant and condescending staff member at Castleton (it was in small print buried long after their camping and cabins section) and YHA complaints Harry’s woeful response lost them a member.

My bank refunded the money - YHA had no defence and didn’t even try and justify their refusal to apologise and refund me. That cost time and goodwill however and I have instead used private offerings via Airbnb (with clearer booking and T&Cs) ever since.

It’s no wonder that the YHA have financial issues.

I have given two stars as, long after I complained (I don’t believe for a minute that I was the only one to fall foul of their inadequate website here) they have finally made the Castleton no dogs policy clear on their website (and explained why).

In case the YHA care beyond a boiler plate ‘email us’ Trustpilot response the complaint reference was RCN-10036067

My jacket has been stolen from my bed after checkout time. Anyone who was meant to have left the room had already done so by the time I woke up and left the room so it only infers that the thief would’ve had a room card for tonight. Staff didn’t have any solution. I lost my only jacket which was a souvenir from my holiday in Prague I just came back from and now I’ll be freezing cold without a jacket in this freezing weather.

It could’ve been something more valuable and I feel powerless.

DO NOT STAY IN THIS HOSTEL YOUR BELONGINGS WILL BE STOLEN AND YOU WONT GET ANY SUPPORT !!!!!

I'm giving up my membership. Used to go to Tintagel and Boscsstle every year but now you have to book whole room or as in Tintagel the whole building. On a lot of searches it's room only or book whole building. Defeats the object of what YHA was created for. As a one person hiker it's not what it used to be.

Poor service and poor food, the fish and chips were over cooked and there was very little fish content, however the breakfast was nice and good value.

As a long term member of YHA it has come apparent the customer service is getting worse , turned from a friendly cheap accommodation location to a expensive pack them in box.
My recent stay at edale was the final nail in the coffin
Too many bunks in the room , no storage and over priced food and accessories.
After 40 years I have cancelled my membership and will never return

We recently stayed with our four children at the Chester Trafford Hall YHA, and booked two private rooms.
The facilities were excellent, the food was brilliant and the staff were so lovely and friendly.
Will definitely recommend and use again.

Went to YHA Langdale in Ambleside for my residential. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL! Food was awful, I mean it shows when my friend threw it up. The building looked dodgy and there was cracks in the walls EVERYWHERE!!! Don't waste your money on YHA.

Although centrally and conveniently located, the room my son and I stayed in ( room 34) was SO unbearably hot,it was to all intents and purposes unuseable. The window in the room only opened approximately 6 inches. . The fan provided simply blew around hot air. After a second night without any sleep, no alternative room available, we simply abandoned abandoned the room and our plans.. Perhaps the same room in the winter might be better..
..The friendly staff are aware that this is a long standing and ongoing issue.
..If you are able to tolerate sleeping in an oven,then I actually recommend room 34,or the top floor of this building. Otherwise bypass It's still not exactly cheap

Absolutely fantastic vibe! I've been a member for so long I still love it

Staying at the yha in York. The building is looking shabby, flaking paintwork in places. The wifi only works in reception, not in the room. Also.... sign outside says tea and cake £2. When I asked at the desk the deal is actually buy any cake get a hot drink for £2. The member of staff did explain but they are waiting for a new sign to be delivered. Also charging £5.95 for one slice of cake is a rip off....the food is good but expensive. The staff are really helpful but the place is definitely looking shabby. Its a shame as we have stayed here quite a few times before.

Well, I tried! I rolled up to YHA Castleton Losehill Hall hoping for a cozy bed, only to find they were fully booked. And yet, somehow, I'm still giving them five stars. Why? Because even without a room, their hospitality was so warm and welcoming, it almost felt like I did stay the night!

The staff were incredibly lovely, helpful, and went above and beyond to suggest alternatives, all with genuine smiles. It's rare to leave a place without having experienced its primary service and still feel this impressed. Clearly, they've mastered the art of making guests feel valued, even when they can't accommodate them.

If this is how good they are when they're full, I can only imagine the magic they work when they actually have a room for you. I'll definitely be trying to book again – this time, much further in advance! Top-notch people, top-notch vibes.

Stayed for a week in this very beautifull and well equiped hostel, with a very kind en funny staff.

Pitching my tent was excellent on flat ground with plenty of space. The atmosphere of the hostel was excellent and the staff were very helpful, friendly and accommodating. Facilities (food, showers, toilet, drying room, self catering kitchen etc) were very good. Superb stay

I paid a 25% returnable deposit to book one night on YHA Ambleside website and the booking somehow ended up on Hostelworld. I had to cancel the booking and expected my deposit back. I didn't receive a refund from Hostelworld and I was then also charged the remaining fee for the room that we had cancelled. I called YHA who said I would have to contact Hostelworld for the 25% and the remainder would come from YHA!! I then called Hostelworld who apologised and refunded my deposit. No refund came from YHA and I had to call again to eventually get everything back.

To cap it all!! I've just received my phone bill and was charged 45p for my call to Hostelworld which is in Ireland! All a total mess and has put me off EVER staying with YHA again.