YHA Swanage

YHA Swanage descritpion

Overlooking Swanage Bay and the Jurassic Coast, this YHA hostel is 800 feet from Swanage’s Blue Flag sandy beach. It offers affordable accommodations, free parking, a restaurant and laundry facilities.
Each morning cooked English and continental breakfasts are served, while the restaurant offers traditional meals throughout the day. Guests can use the self-catering kitchen facilities, and packed lunches are also available.
Guests can relax in the impressive lounge, which boasts wood-paneled walls, luxurious sofas and a huge chandelier. There is also a selection of games, a TV and Wi-Fi access is available in all public areas of YHA Swanage.
The Victorian Pier and Swanage Steam train are both within a 10-minute walk of the YHA Swanage. This beautiful coastal town has a good selection of cafes, restaurants and stores.

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Facilities of YHA Swanage

Outdoors ：Grounds

Kitchen ：Shared Kitchen

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Game Room | Library

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Restaurant with Dining Menu | Snack Bar | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Free!Internet via modem is available in public areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).

General ：Family Rooms | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Languages Spoken ：English | German

Reviews for YHA Swanage

Review 1：The sound insulation was pretty awful, so we could hear the teenagers above us. Also the fan motor in the kitchen below us was on half the night.

Review 2：Great value, interesting history, character, location.

Review 3：toilet was a tard noisy at night..not flushing on its own but just a water shhhhhhh like refilling the tank?

Review 4：Fabulous place to stay great location, happy young staff and gives you an option of self catering which with a young picky child is great to make things on ur own in ur own time

Review 5：The fact that 2 of us were taken ill on the last night. Some of the children were not always supervised by an adult.

Review 6：The fact that there was other children there for granddaughter to meet.Also the big bean bags were great.

Review 7：the room was smelly, the showers were dirty... Expensive for what is offered.

Review 8：The staff were really helpful when I needed. Breakfast was really good, although expensive.

Review 9：I saw some bugs on the floor in my room. I think, there should be same cabinets in rooms. Only place to storage my personal items is floor or bed.

Review 10：The Staff are very friendly and halpful. Good fitted kitchen. Nice lounge and dining rooms design.

Review 11：Toilets did not flush well and second flush took ages. One shower was out of order. It would be nice to have a chair in the two man room we had.

Review 12：catering options and costs were excellent. The louge and games room looked great but were too full to use. Duvets were great.

Review 13：No soap, and no towels, included. Lot of stairs. Location at top of hill. When all extras added in, not as good value as it seems at first. Two person room with washbasin, was a bit spartan. A chair would have be nice. The individual light for the lower bunk was positioned so as to make using it to read by almost impossible. Wifi slow and difficult to use

Review 14：Good breakfast. Friendly staff. Clean. Surprisingly comfortable creak free bunks

Review 15：Nothing to dislike really. The only thing I can think of is that the huge dishwasher is situated inbetween the two dining areas and when it's being loaded and unloaded its deafening.. really trivial!

Review 16：Staff excellent.. nothing too much trouble. Very friendly. Great location. Very clean. Huge games/tv room. BeautBeautiful panelled lounge with comfy sofas. Very good wine. Warm rooms. Plenty of toilets and showers. Food very good. Two separate dining areas so if you are a large group as we were you can all sit together. Large self catering kitchen

Review 17：- one of the ladies toilet upstairs wasn't flushing - in the kitchen there wasn't a knife to cut the bread - there was only one pan

Review 18：- the beautiful house, the dining room, especially the lounge - the girl at the reception was very kind and efficient - very good value

Review 19：wifi didn't work and there was a musty sweaty smell to the room. I was nauseating when I walked into the room and in the night too!

Review 20：location, kitchen, lounge

Review 21：We have stayed here many times. For the first time we found the kitchen to be dirty. The inside of the fridge had smears and even traces of food and the outsides were covered in black marks. The cookers had food remains in corners. The drying racks for the washing up and the container for labels and the kettle stands were filthy. The toaster was full of crumbs. While I accept that a busy kitchen is difficult to keep spotless, when I spoke to the receptionist he said the kitchen had been cleaned the previous day but I cannot accept that. It was in stark contrast to the washing toilet facilities which were spotless.

Review 22：We like the facilities - a well equipped kitchen, pleasant lounge area for relaxation and chat and that meals are available. The showers are hot with lots of water. Nice view from our bedroom window.

Review 23：It was lovely! Some where cheap and cheerful. Excellent price and a lovely place to stay! Bed was very comfortable and was warm all night! Staff were brilliant and friendly.

Review 24：First time staying in a hostel and it was not what we had expected. Excellent location and comfy beds. Its a hostel for walkers and families so its not the student type hostel that has always put me off staying in one. Clean, tidy and excellent value for money.

Review 25：Toilets could do with updating and cleaning more regularly. Pillows very uncomfortable; take your own if possible. On site parking limited if hostel is busy.

Review 26：Staff extremely friendly and helpful. Good general facilities downstairs and breakfast was nice.

Review 27：I had a lot of luggage, the walk took about 1/2 an hour with hills

Review 28：Helpful Staff, big breakfast at a good price and quiet, Mainly older people and families stayed

Review 29：The whole place needs a lot of work doing to it . The facilities for self catering are good but need a good clean through every day. The hot water supply needs sorting in the kitchen and the showers on the top floor need to work better. It could be so much better but would need money spent which I guess is not available

Review 30：The location is great. Swanage is lovely and the hostel is 5 minutes walk from the town and beach. The car parking is good.

Review 31：I did not like the cleanliness and the showers. No hot water to take a shower this was of ongoing works to repair the boiler.

Review 32：I did like the location and the view.

Review 33：The floor of our bedroom was dirty - there were bits of dirt and crumbs visible to the eye. Decor throughout was Spartan and tatty. Toilets were not particularly clean, and shower cubicles were small and unventilated - like getting into a coffin. Also, although the water was hot, the pressure was weak, and it was like washing in a trickle. Finally, bright hallway lights and the hum of extractor fans from the toilets made it difficult to sleep.

Review 34：Location is optimal - five minutes up a steep hill from the sea front. The building that houses the Hostel is of historic interest, albeit a little run down. Staff were pleasant.

Review 35：Having children running about the 3 floors and making huge amount of noise. Luckily it stopped before 10pm. We know the building is old, but it needs some deep cleaning!

Review 36：We loved the old building itself and its superb location. Staff very kind, knowledgeable about the area and helpful.

Review 37：Showers like swimming pool where you have to keep pressing the button. Room too hot because above boiler room and no fan available.

Review 38：Comfy beds and great breakfast. Good location, helpful staff

Review 39：Rooms were depressing, noisy, showers more like leaking taps. Beds were uncomfortable my daughter ended up sleeping on floor as was better than the bed. Pipes made nouse all night. Loud kids running thru corridors slamming doors from early am until late. Welcome staff were friendly but on check out staff managed a grunt and that was all. Would not recommend and certainly wont use again.

Review 40：Neighbores next door very noisy; needed a sign on this floor reminding people to act in a quiet manner in certain times (attic rooms)

Review 41：Cleanliness, location, price, customer service.

Review 42：Place needs a complete revamp including bedrooms and toilets/showers. Signs of years of neglect. Staff a bit sultry possibly because place is so dilapidated.

Review 43：Location excellent

Review 44：There is need of some repairs: Room 11- window should open only 20centmetres but open fully. There is a warning notice that the preventivestructures are broken. These must be repaired by a joiner or carpenterimmediately to prevent accidents: young unattended children orenebriated guests or people larking about could fall out! For health andsafety please repair now! Also; the door handle of Room 11 is veryloose. This must be tightened. There might be the need for similarrepairs in the building. I only saw Room 11. also; As in many YHAs somelights are left on 24/7 unnecessarily E.G. games room, kitchen,andornamental lights, tv and computer. Important lights are left on or goon and off automatically, for safety 24/7 in moving aroung athebuilding and fire safety, and I suppose because there are children(cared faor by their parents) and mixed sexes toilets and showers. Also:booking and yha should show cearly that members do not receive adiscount if they book through booking. Maybe I should have noticed thisalready. Otherwise, there is a very pleasant, friendly atmosphere at yhaSwanage and it is a great pleasure to stay there.

Review 45：The people, staff and guests. The breakfasts: lavish and good! Thesituation and views of the sea and cliffs. Excellent bus services in andout of Swanage in all directions. Good information provided. I willcertainly be back! Thank you. Catherine.

Review 46：Drying room was not warm to dry off damp clothes

Review 47：Breakfast good, place was clean and seemed more up to date than some others. Rooms larger and more comfortable- more personal space

Review 48：The property was great value for money,lovely hot shower,breakfast good value for monet and the scenery you could see the sea from the front door.Would dofo recommend and use in other areas.The lounge and playroom were beautiful and staff freindly....

Review 49：We nearly got locked out one night as the entry code had been changed and we had not been ihnformed - luckily a lovely member of staff wandered by ( not on duty we suspect) and sorted it out for us to get in. Thank you !

Review 50：The view that we were able to enjoy from our room. Thanks to Garry for making our stay special by putting us in this room. When we last stayed 35 years ago we were in girls / boys separate dorms! We love the fact that the hostel is so convenient for everything.

Review 51：Hopeless check in and check out. Not very welcoming. Room doors always slamming and paper thin walls so noisy families could be heard throughout the building. Pay another £10 and stay in a B&B with ensuite!

Review 52：Breakfast. Location

Review 53：Children could be controlled better by their group leaders as they run, thump the walls etc when it is late. Some of the older guests get stroppy about the TV room when someone has already started watching TV. The breakfasts are not good value for money when the portion sizes are small compared to other days.

Review 54：The staff, the traditional building adapted very well to modern use. There are plenty of ideas and leaflets that the staff provide. The colour scheme and strength of the beds is very good. The staff catered well with all of my requests about recovery from surgery and there is a very good disabled toilet. The location is peaceful and the area is clean. I got used to the hill, it was tiring at first but I guess it was good for my recovery from major bone breaks in my foot.

Review 55：It was very near where I needed to be in Studland for a horse riding weekend. The location was also great for wandering around Swanage, with seaside, restaurants etc. A comfortable bed, cooking facilities, wifi, a nice TV lounge was all that is needed if you're more interested in being out and about rather than paying a fortune for a hotel.

Review 56：As a last minute booking I wasn't expecting much but wow was I wrong!! The room was perfect for 1 night, the showers and w/c facility's were clean the sea view was ideal!! Staff and other guests were friendly and welcoming! Definitely staying again!!

Review 57：The shower caps were broken and water pressure very low. Shame to spoil the otherwise excellent everything about it.

Review 58：An old house being wonderfully tranformed into a hostel, at very nice neighbourhood of Swanage. I very highly recommend it!

Review 59：Pity that the TV can hijack what is otherwise a large, comfortable lounge conducive to relaxing and conversation. Would recommend the TV is much smaller or transfers elsewhere! Not in keeping with the general ambience/camaraderie of guests. Would be good to mention on stairs that guests need to climb the stairs (no lift).

Review 60：Friendly, personable staff very welcoming and attentive. Interest taken in maintenance of property. Top floor room with superb views, hot showers, well-equipped kitchen, very comfortable lounge (but see comment about TV), good beds. Perfect location for walking the coast or catching bus/steam train. Close to shops for self-catering. Plenty of places to eat out too. Although there was a group of 54 schoolchildren staying, the teachers were friendly and we bumped into them during our walks on the coast, which added to the overall experience.

Review 61：This was a terrible experience. Got absolutely no sleep due to horrible other dorm members. Would like a refund but not given one by staff. Do not recomend at all

Review 62：Reception and other staff were friendly and welcoming. Beds made up on arrival. Location was great. Nice relaxed atmosphere for families. Served cooked breakfast, fruit, cereal etc. Really value for money . fantastic view from room 16 window - across the bay.

Review 63：Kitchen was spacious but unfortunately a bit dirty. A lot of families with little kids which also slept in the dorms, which I have never encountered in other hostels

Review 64：Location, comfortable dorm rooms, nice lounge area

Review 65：The shower I used (next to the toilets) was ill-designed (the placement of the shower head more specifically) and water pressure was low.

Review 66：The staff is super-friendly and laid-back. The old Victorian house has a lot of character. The wooden-paneled lounge is very cozy and a great place to read or enjoy a cup of tea. Breakfast offered a wide range of choices. I will definitely go back.

Review 67：I would change one small thing. An additional cup table to the rooms would be a very good idea.

Review 68：Loved the way the personel treated us, very kind and helpful, Rooms were very clean and tidy, with a nice smell. Breakfast made fresh at the spot was also very nice and tasty

Review 69：Good value for money and though the building is old it is clean.

Review 70：Very good value. The wood paneled lounge is is impressive. Good sign posting and directions sent out by the hostel. Helpful staff. Would stay again and liked the useful local information at the hostel.

Review 71：The room smelt a little damp/doggy, and a few of the showers were a little unreliable (temp control/water pressure)

Review 72：good kitchen facilities- lots of storage/fridge space, and able to use dining room for own food, great lounge very comfy and free wifi, staff really helpful, has a bit of a shop and good info about local area/weather. Also splitting the bill three ways was no problem :)

Review 73：cold rooms uncomfortable bunks snoring workman sharing room walk up hill to get back crappy bed covers pillow no shaving light bright lit halls at night should be on a movement dedtector to save energy no lift escalator to upstairs for disabled or plain tired

Review 74：staff freindly helpfull wood paneled rooms

Review 75：showers on corridor to room 6 one was out of order and the one next to it was unusable being just a drizzle of water

Review 76：breakfast was good quality so were the mattresses and the windows were large, enabling us to view the sea

Review 77：Poor housekeeping, damaged and out of commission showers, door handles, toilets, very unkempt gardens, only 2 cups in self catering kitchen.

Review 78：Parking, price, location, good beds, on site catering- very good food at a competitive price

Review 79：Cold tap in room sprayed everywhere, plug hole not very clean, no bedside lights, breakfast a bit shambolic - had to ask for/wait for toast, ran out of some items e.g. mushrooms, cooked breakfast cold by time I got it all.

Review 80：View from our Room, no.7 fantastic! Very nice staff, friendly, helpful. Relaxed atmosphere. Wash basin in room. Quiet location. Crisp clean sheets etc. Good coffee at breakfast. Able to borrow hair dryer.

Review 81：We feel some money needs to be spent on the building. The decor, fittings etc are all tired. The showers work but again down at heel. The window in our room (room 5) neither opens further or closes, and has been thus for I think 3 years. The window frame is rotting and this may be what gives the room a stale smell. The breakfast was as well cooked as in previous years and various foods, cutlery and hot water ran out. The self catering kitchen was not as well equipped as last year - no cafetieres, few teapots (apparently behind the desk), few mugs (kept in the dining area. Toilets ran out of paper.

Review 82：We like the location and the on site parking. Reception staff are helpful.

Review 83：Rude manager. Threw a hole group out and made false accusations at our party

Review 84：Not alot kicking everyone out hotel at 8.50am on a sunday morning for no reason

Review 85：Some idiot opening the fire escape at 7.30am and setting off an alarm!

Review 86：The atmosphere, the friendly and helpful staff, the location, the price, the local knowledge, the games room for wet weather (essential with children), the breakfast, in short, the whole experience.

Review 87：didn't realise we could have asked for night light to aid breatsfeeding for one friend of her baby. No WIFI and water pressure not great in the showers.

Review 88：venue...albeit at the top of the hill. The view was beautiful. Food - hearty and brilliant value...esp the free kids under 10 bit.

Review 89：The building needs renewal and the showers weren't working.

Review 90：The view was beautiful. The staff were very helpful and the event board was really useful.

Review 91：I was extremely impressed by the whole place. The staff were amazing and the food was great. I was with 2 of my grandchildren and it was marvellous for them to be able to make friends to play with. I have already recommended the hostel to my family.

Review 92：The beds left something to be desired, mattress was quite thin and pillows even thinner! Shower stall or cubbies (since they were so small) wouldnt be good for anyone who is claustrophobic. Breakfast was so-so, happy I only did breakfast one morning versus two. You can technically get a fair amount of food for the price, however, the quality isnt spectacular by any means.

Review 93：The staff was very friendly and helpful! They pointed me in the direction of some great walks and told me about an opportunity to go rowing with the local row club in order to see a bit more of thetown from the sea. Very much appreciated this!

Review 94：Cold shower!

Review 95：The accomodation was excellent. All rooms very clean. Water pressure for showers needs improving. The breakfast was first class and well cooked. Good break from the south west coast path.

Review 96：Swanage YHA needs to reinvent itself and be much more client focused. The days of only providing for young people are gone. The hospitality industry elsewhere is generally improving all the time but this establishment seems to be in a time warp because it doesn't seem to be client focused. The showers may save water but the tiny spray is inadequate - and not even a bench for clothes in the tiny shower cubicle. And why can't a towel be provided without having to be hired? Even the rooms are as minimalist as they can be. Breakfast time was more like a school canteen than a holiday establishment and wasn't at all efficient despite the numerous staff on duty. Enjoy you holiday and look for a nice B & B instead, and you will find it much better value for money.

Review 97：Swanage is an interesting town to visit and close to attractions in the hinterland. The YHA is well located to access these. Some staff very helpful (but others shouldn't be in the hospitality industry).

Review 98：Rooms were too warm, windows didn't open wide. Pillows hard. Carpet smelt.

Review 99：Close location to town centre...good showers .... Clean bedding ... Clean WC areas .... Easy access.... Good sized car park.

Review 100：Problem more to do with other users who have little respect. Toilets not in clean condition. Doors banging late at night. Don't know what answer is to this

Review 101：Convenient place to stay for last night of a long walk from Minehead.

Review 102：I was only staying one night for the purpose of attending the WW1 service as Standard bearer for the Royal Marines Association and did not have time to dislike anything, that is if there was anything to dislike anyway!

Review 103：I liked the way I was received when I arrived. How the receptionist took the trouble not only to tell me about YHA Swanage but about the attractions locally.

Review 104：I don't like the rooms they old with dirty rugs,no table,no tv,no net the most basic things in all hotels or hostels, even the shower has no control is just push. if is cold or hot u must use it like that.NO towel,if u need one u buy or rent can u believe that?They really need to make changes

Review 105：I love the location is good with trees and close to the beach and i like their food you are allowed to take what u want as much as u want if they have it ofcos and you must have paid for breakfast too

Review 106：The oak panelled lounge is a great room to relax in - especially if there's torrential rain outside.

Review 107：Receptionist was lovely very friendly and informative thank you young lady

Review 108：Staff friendly and helpful

Review 109：Bunk beds. No chair in room, yo look at sea

Review 110：Large place, quiet. Sea views

Review 111：a bit noisy in the room with snorting and snoring

Review 112：ice staff, good location

Review 113：Nothing was bad, perhaps a smaller breakfast option available, ie just cereals.

Review 114：Good location, parking. Helpful friendly staff

Review 115：Only problem is the noise of others coming in late at night drunk!

Review 116：Location and price were just what we wanted as 3 friends staying in Swanage for one night.

Review 117：Great value for money, very clean and great location.

Review 118：Great location, parking, facilities, the staff were friendly andhhelpful

Review 119：I have stayed in a good number of YH this one is as good as any.

Review 120：the girl at the reception who was always smiling :)

Review 121：Not lot

Review 122：Lots showers and toilets Good self catering facilities

Review 123：Freezing cold showers!

Review 124：The staff were lovely. Very helpful and friendly.

Review 125：the location and the space

Review 126：Cheap and cheerful - it is what it is.

Review 127：Nothing

Review 128：Staff. Privacy.location

Review 129：staff were fantastic, loved the red wine, even had gluten free bread without having to pre-order.

The Fine Print

All guests must show a valid photo ID upon check-in. Driver’s license, passport, student ID or similarly recognised national identity cards are accepted.Please note that towels are not included in the room rate. Guests can hire them at the property or bring their own.All bookings for more than 16 people will not be accepted by YHA and will be cancelled.Please note this property does not charge an additional temporary membership fee. Discounts are not available for members of YHA (England and Wales) or IYHF as part of this booking.