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Summary of reviewsSkye Backpackers is highly regarded for its fantastic location in Kyleakin, making it an excellent base for exploring the Isle of Skye. The hostel provides easy access to various attractions, public transport and ample parking facilities. Guests enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and Loch Lochalch, contributing to a serene and charming atmosphere. Nearby, several dining options, including cozy restaurants and a typical pub, further enhance the convenience and enjoyment of staying at this hostel.
The breakfast at Skye Backpackers is appreciated for its affordability and value with a selection that includes cereals, buns, juice and fruit. Although described as basic, the breakfast is adequate and the friendly staff add to a positive start to the day. The kitchen facilities, which offer free coffee, tea and milk, are well-received, though they can become crowded during peak hours.
Rooms at Skye Backpackers offer spectacular views, particularly those overlooking the Skye bridge and the water. Cleanliness is consistently noted, both in the rooms and communal areas. Room sizes and comfort levels vary with some guests finding them cozy and adequate and others finding them small and cramped. Shared bathrooms and showers are clean but limited in size and number, which some guests find inconvenient. Despite these variances, the overall atmosphere is described as cozy and friendly.
Cleanliness throughout the hostel is praised, notably in the well-equipped kitchen. Daily cleaning routines and the general upkeep of communal areas contribute to a comfortable stay. Some areas may need a bit of freshening up, but the overall cleanliness leaves a favorable impression.
The staff at Skye Backpackers receive widespread commendation for their outstanding hospitality. Known for their friendly, polite and helpful nature, the team ensures a welcoming and home-like environment. Individual staff members, such as Alesha, are frequently mentioned for their exceptional service.
Free WiFi is available in common areas, though it does not reach the rooms and can sometimes be patchy. Despite these minor issues, guests appreciate the complimentary internet access provided by the hostel.
Parking is another strong point with ample free parking options conveniently located near the hostel. This includes public parking almost at the hostel’s doorstep and a large free car park just a short walk away, ensuring stress-free arrival and departure for guests.
While Skye Backpackers excels in many areas, sleeping arrangements have received mixed reviews. Some mattresses are described as thin and uncomfortable and bunk beds often lack safety railings. However, there are instances of guests finding the beds comfortable, indicating some inconsistencies in bedding quality.
Overall, Skye Backpackers is a valued choice for visitors to the Isle of Skye, offering a prime location, cleanliness, friendly staff and convenient amenities despite some minor drawbacks regarding room size, comfort and internet access. Show more
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Hostel with Parking
Room Types
Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has a seating area.
Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory RoomRooms are 16 square metres.
Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features a view and seating area.
Budget Twin RoomThe twin room offers a carpeted floor, heating, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 2 beds.
Family Room with Sea ViewThis family room features a shared bathroom, a seating area and sea views. The unit offers 3 beds.
Double Room with Sea ViewThis double room has a shared bathroom, a carpeted floor and sea views. The unit has 1 bed.
Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features a view and seating area.
Guest Reviews
7.6
Good
Location
Skye Backpackers is praised for its undoubtedly fantastic location, making it an ideal base for exploring the Isle of Skye. Nestled in Kyleakin, the hostel offers easy access to various attractions and amenities, including close proximity to the Skye Bridge, public transport options and ample parking facilities. Guests enjoy breathtaking views of the sea and Loch Lochalch from their rooms, adding to the hostel's charm.
The locale is surrounded by a calm and quiet environment, enhancing the overall serene experience. The nearby sea, bus stop and the railway station add to the convenience, allowing for hassle-free exploration of the region. Visitors have highlighted the warm atmosphere and friendly staff, who contribute to a cozy and welcoming stay.
Dining options abound with several cozy restaurants and a typical pub restaurant in the vicinity. The central location not only makes it perfect for travelers aiming to discover the natural beauty of Skye but also offers superb access to nearby rental options.
Skye Backpackers boasts a beachfront location with lovely social areas and a well-equipped kitchen, ensuring guests have everything they need. The combination of great value, cleanliness and the extreme kindness of the owners and staff emphasizes why it stands out as an excellent choice for those visiting the Isle of Skye.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at Skye Backpackers has garnered a mix of opinions, primarily positive. Guests appreciate the affordability of the breakfast, which costs only £3.50 and offers good value for money. The range of breakfast options is considered adequate with a selection that includes cereals, small buns, juice and fruit, among other items. Many highlight the simplicity and reasonable pricing of the meal, emphasizing that it is a great choice given the current economic climate.
The friendliness of the staff during breakfast service adds to the positive experience, making guests feel welcome. Additionally, the kitchen facilities are well-received, offering free coffee, tea and milk to start the day. While the kitchen space can become crowded during peak breakfast hours, it remains a lively area conducive to conversation and socializing.
Overall, while some found the breakfast basic or minimal, it is still considered good value and a nice way to start the day at Skye Backpackers.
Rooms
At Skye Backpackers, guests can expect a mix of experiences when it comes to the rooms. Many visitors praised the spectacular views with some rooms offering breathtaking sights of the Skye bridge and the water. The rooms are generally clean with amenities like washbasins and wall-attached bunk beds to prevent wobbling. Spaciousness varies with some rooms feeling cozy and adequate, while others are notably small, making it difficult to open a suitcase or causing guests to feel constricted.
Cleanliness is consistently highlighted, not only in the rooms but also in communal areas. The bedding quality received mixed feedback, ranging from comfortable to firm with some guests finding it inadequate. Shared facilities like bathrooms and showers are limited and on the smaller side, which some found inconvenient.
Despite some variability in room size and comfort, the overall atmosphere was described as cozy and friendly with a well-equipped kitchen and a welcoming communal area. For groups, the rooms are suitable if the entire space is occupied by the same party.
Beds
Skye Backpackers, while charming in many respects, seems to face a consistent issue with its sleeping arrangements. Numerous guests have noted that the mattresses are thin and provide little comfort, often equating the experience to sleeping on solid wood or the floor. Additionally, some beds, especially the bunk beds, lack safety railings, causing concerns about potentially falling off during the night. The discomfort is compounded by the fact that some mattresses tend to sink in the middle or feel old and unclean.
However, a few reviews highlight that there are instances where the beds were comfortable, suggesting a possible inconsistency in mattress quality. The size of the bunk beds was appreciated by some, though this did not fully mitigate the overall issue with comfort. For those planning a short stay simply to sleep, this may be manageable, but it's clear that potential guests should be prepared for less-than-ideal sleeping conditions.
Cleanliness
Skye Backpackers garners positive feedback when it comes to cleanliness. The establishment is frequently highlighted for being clean, quiet and comfortable with particular praise for the kitchen facilities which are consistently described as clean, well-stocked and well-equipped. Similarly, the communal areas and rooms are regularly noted for their cleanliness with thorough daily cleaning being a common observation.
Guests appreciate the friendly and helpful staff, contributing to an overall positive experience. The beds and linens receive commendations for their cleanliness and comfort, while shared bathrooms and showers, although clean, are often mentioned as being small and occasionally less convenient.
Some reviews mention the need for a bit of a freshening up in certain areas and note a few worn-out facilities. Nevertheless, the general cleanliness of the hostel, especially the kitchen, leaves a favorable impression on most visitors, making it an inviting place to stay despite minor inconveniences.
Staff
At Skye Backpackers, the experience is largely characterized by the outstanding hospitality of its staff. Guests repeatedly emphasize the warm and friendly nature of the team, mentioning specific employees like Alesha for their exceptional friendliness. The staff's courteous and attentive behavior ensures a welcoming atmosphere, creating a home-like environment for travelers. The young lady at reception and other team members are often highlighted for their politeness, helpfulness and accommodating nature. Whether it's the receptionist's joyful demeanor or the overall kindness of the team, the staff at Skye Backpackers stands out for their dedication to making each guest's stay pleasant. Their ability to adapt to the needs of different visitors adds to the positive experience, leaving guests feeling valued and well cared for.
Wi-Fi
Skye Backpackers offers good WiFi that is available for guests. However, it is important to note that this free WiFi does not reach the rooms, which means guests will need to go to common areas to access the internet. Reviews highlighted that the WiFi connection in these common spaces can sometimes be patchy and there have also been mentions of the WiFi being poor or the connection being terrible at times. Despite these issues, the hostel does provide complimentary internet access.
Parking
Skye Backpackers offers a great advantage when it comes to parking options for guests. Located conveniently in the first village after the Skye bridge, it is easily accessible by public transport, making arrival stress-free. The hostel ensures ample parking availability just a few meters away with numerous spots free of charge. Furthermore, there is free parking directly in front of the hostel and public parking almost at its doorstep. Guests have commended the easy and abundant parking options, which include a free car park just a short two-minute walk away. Overall, parking is straightforward and sufficient, accommodating all the visitors' needs seamlessly.
No, Skye Backpackers doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Skye Backpackers.
No, Skye Backpackers doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Skye Backpackers.