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Ilam Hall (Derbyshire)
by Ian Thomson
This has been a regular place to stay for our yearly visit to Alton Towers Theme Park. It is great for relaxing and playing in the large grounds at night. The accomodation varies in quality, avoid the roasting hot room above the Drying room...unless you like a sauna!
The breakfasts used to be absolutely excellent when they ... were "Full English", unfortunately, the bland continental style has replaced this and I always request they bring back the fried egg, bacon, sausages etc. as this was fuel for the day...My large group of kids and adults were all deeply dissapointed in the continental breakfast.
If you opt for packed lunches for a large group, be aware that you may not get a good mix of crisp flavours, so be prepared to distribute and do swappies to ensure all get a roll with something they will eat!
If you are a large group of say 10-12, then this is a cheap and ideal place to stay. Plenty to do in the grounds and in the games room. Sheila Warrington ("Warrington Coaches") lives right next door to the hostel and is an ideal choice for transporting your group to Alton Towers and are also good value.
Over the years, we have tried many of the rooms. The best largest room (Room 12) ...holds upto 14... has great ventilation in the summer and excellent views. Some rooms involve a long corridor walk to the showers or toilets.
Some rooms have very small windows and can get stuffy in the hot summer! Again...AVOID the room directly above the Drying room in the summer it is sweaty and hard to sleep at night...we had to request our second night be changed due to lack of sleep. But this room may be great in a winter stay though!?
These minor gripes aside, I would reccomend Ilam Hall as the perfect place to stay for groups of children. I considered the Alton Towers Hotels, but they cannot cater for large groups, only Familes.
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Rotherhithe Youth Hostel (London)
by oceanripples
The public areas of the hostel were fine, and were clean and tidy. The staff in the reception area were pleasant and helpful apart from with regard refusing to empty the bin.
On one day the kitchen staff were intimidating to the extent that our teenager did not want to go and get her own breakfast.
The bedroom was ... filthy, the toilet and shower was filthy, there was old food in the storage area in the side of the bed, the curtains were hanging off the rails, we had items stolen from our locked room (which we did not share so had to be staff at the hostel), one bed was broken and the saniitary towel bin was full to overflowing and they refused to empty it.
There were also several people who were drunk and sleeping in the communal areas on the third floor. Another guest complained but the staff seemed totally disinterested.
We have never stayed in a room that was so disgusting, it was unhygienic and filthy. teh state of the bedrooms and the refusal to empty the bin were a disgrace to the YHA.
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Litton Lane Hostel (Dublin)
by lulu007
I am currently staying in Litton Lane, it is now my third week. (there is one guy who has lived here for one year!) It is cheap and the communal area makes a nice place to relax without having to be in the dorms, having a kitchen people can use is helpful, but the fridges are always full, although are cleaned once a week like promised. ... Free internet extends only to those with laptops, and for those who don't, its off to the internet cafe. The staff are friendly enough depending on what you are wanting! Toilets and showers leave much to be desired, but what can you expect from a busy hostel.
I would recommend it for only a few nights at most, and the central location is ideal!
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