GLASGOW HOSTELS - Reviews
GLASGOW
Glasgow is a straightforward working city with nothing outstanding but plenty to see, and lots of straightforward Scots folk who will make you very welcome if you can understand them. It has plenty of dry weather, but when it does rain the rain is often heavy.
Hostels
Glasgow has several very distinct hostels; choose carefully, they are not at all alike.
We strongly do not recommend any of the hostels in the Globetrotters Group, located in and near Berkeley Street. This includes the North Lodge Hostel and the Rucksack. Serious criticisms of these hostels date back several years, and numerous reviews originating from those hostels either praising them or damning other establishments have appeared on hostel review sites. Many booking engines do not feature them.
If you like a casual party atmosphere and don't mind a bit of clutter, you could try Bluesky, also in Berkeley Street. This is in the outer centre, close to pubs and cafes. However, several reviewers have been very negative about the hostel, and have suggested that the staff are stoned or tired. From our inspection we don't think it's too bad, so while we would not recommend it, by all means try there if you want low-cost.
Address: 65 Berkeley Street
Tel: 0141-2211710
Facilities: Backpacker-run, very casual, common room w internet, modest kitchen w dining tables, parties many nights, ages 18-35.
UK Trail opinions: Good if you like a casual party atmosphere with drinking into small hours and sleeping late. Very sociable..
Reviewers' comments: Some guests like it but others have serious issues. If you go with the flow you can have a great time. Some criticisms of poor breakfast, some problems with showers, most say staff are very helpful..
In the centre of Glasgow close to the stations and shops is a large hostel. Some people like it, others find it impersonal with its giant common room and loud TV, but its rooms are generally considered good. It is OK as a convenient place to stay if you want to be central:
Address: 318 Clyde Street
Tel: 0141-222-2828
Facilities: Giant lounge/dining area w dominant TV and impersonal feel; games room w blaring music & smoking; tiny kitchen; comfy small bedrooms w ensuite bath & good showers.
UK Trail opinions: Large, Institutional, impersonal. Some people find it satisfactory, others don't like it.
The SYHA hostel has the best standards, although with some quirks. Get there from the centre in a 25 minute walk, or a nr 44 bus then a short uphill walk. It's a beautiful building with good views:
Address: 7/8 Park Terrace
Tel: 0871-330-8520
Facilities: Large hostel, staff pleasant and helpful; lg comfy lounge, TV lounge, games room, lg very good kitchen/dining area in basement, laundry, lockers, expensive internet.
UK Trail opinions: Kitchen/dining room is very sociable, however the large beautiful lounge is eerily quiet. All dorms have ensuite shower & toilet, but annoying 24-hr fan in at least one dorm..
Reviewers' comments: Others have thought the lounge is not sociable..
Take the subway to Hillhead station and walk uphill to this pleasant hostel in a quiet street in the University area:
Address: 26 Hillhead Street
Tel: 0141-5814481
Email: bunkumglasgow + AT + hotmail.com
Facilities: Large lounge w TV & books, good fairly well-equipped kitchen with eating table, laundry, dorms & twin rooms, staff rarely seen.
UK Trail opinions: Clean & comfortable, pleasant atmosphere. Kitchen is good but not many pans/accessories, lounge is less sociable due to TV.
Also in this area:
Address: 3 Bank Street
Reviewers' comments: Reported as very friendly staff, much quieter than the other Bluesky hostel..
Farther out to the west, but with good bus and train services to the centre, is a new hostel which looks to be one of the pleasantest in Glasgow:
Address: 6 Fifth Ave, Anniesland
Tel: 0141-334-2952
Email: info + AT + albahostelglasgow.co.uk
Facilities: Equipped kitchen, dining/social room, TV lounge, cheap internet & Wifi, parking, good bus and train to city centre.
UK Trail opinions: New hostel, we haven't seen it yet, but it looks pretty good, although a bit out of town. The best hostel if you come by car.
There are some other residences that are available to travellers only in summer (used as University halls of residence at other times). Cairncross House is in the west of the city:
Address: 20 Kelvinhaugh Place
Tel: 0141-330-4116
Facilities: Open Jun-Sep, single and twin rooms, £19.25 for all guests, TV/games room, equipped kitchen, free laundry.
UK Trail opinions: University residence; since it has a common room it should be sociable; make sure you have directions as people say it is hard to find; book on Hostelworld.
Reviewers' comments: Most say it's quiet, and a good place to stay but not sociable. Most say clean, and staff friendly and efficient.One says kitchen excellent. Common room hardly mentioned..
Facilities: £21, single rooms.
The following hostel is in the centre:
Address: Weaver Street
Tel: 0141-5534148
Facilities: Open Jun-Sep; Single rooms, kitchen/lounge area, laundry; bedding needed.
If you have difficulty finding a bed, please note that several guesthouses offer accommodation at prices not much more than hostels.
