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Summary of reviewsHillview House Hostel Inverness is favorably reviewed for its serene and well-located position, offering guests a tranquil retreat while still providing easy access to the city center and its attractions. The hostel is conveniently situated near the scenic River Ness, allowing for pleasant walks and provides ample parking, making it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding areas, including Loch Ness.
The rooms at Hillview House Hostel receive commendation for their spaciousness, cleanliness and comfort. Visitors appreciate the size and modernity of the private bathrooms as well as the comfort of the beds, making it suitable for families and groups. The kitchen and dining areas are also notable for their size, adding to the overall convenience and value for travelers. The hostel is considered a comfortable and welcoming option, enhanced by an accommodating host.
However, the cleanliness reviews are mixed. While private rooms and bathrooms are frequently clean and well-maintained, communal areas, especially the kitchen, often fall short with reports of dirty equipment, unpleasant odors and overall poor maintenance. This discrepancy highlights a need for significant improvements in the upkeep of shared spaces.
Staff interactions receive mixed feedback as well. Positive mentions highlight a helpful and kind host named Donald, but many guests report an absence of on-site staff, leading to challenges in communication and a lack of personal interaction. The no-contact check-in and check-out process may contribute to these issues.
WiFi access also presents challenges with many guests experiencing unstable or entirely unavailable networks, compounded by incorrect information sheets. This leads to recurring issues with internet reliability.
On the positive side, parking facilities are generally found to be convenient and safe with ample space usually available. Some limitations are noted regarding the size and availability of parking spaces, but overall, it meets most guests' needs.
Lastly, the beds received mixed reviews; while some guests found them clean and comfortable, offering restful sleep, others reported discomfort due to thin pillows, worn-out mattresses and protruding springs, indicating that some updates may be necessary.
Overall, Hillview House Hostel Inverness offers a tranquil, convenient location with spacious, comfortable rooms and generally adequate parking, but it requires improvements in communal area cleanliness, staff presence and WiFi reliability to fully meet guest expectations. Show more
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Categories
Cheap Hostel
Provides budget accommodation with free WiFi and parking. Offers a comfortable stay with easy access to the city center and Culloden Battlefield.
Hostel with Parking
Small Hostel
Room Types
Double Room with Private BathroomThis double room has a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer and a garden view. There is also communal use of the kitchen.
Standard Twin Room with Shared BathroomThis twin room has a shared bathroom, and a garden view. There is also communal use of the kitchen.
Triple Room with Private BathroomThis twin room features a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer, a garden view. There is also communal use of the kitchen.
Family Room with Private BathroomThis family room has a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer, a garden view. There is also communal use of the kitchen.
Quadruple Room with BathThe quadruple room provides a private entrance, a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The quadruple room offers parquet floors, a tiled floor and heating. The unit offers 3 beds.
Deluxe Single RoomThe single room provides a private entrance and a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The single room features parquet floors, a tiled floor and heating. The unit offers 1 bed.
Superior Double RoomThe double room includes a private bathroom equipped with a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
6.2
Rated
Location
Nestled in a tranquil area, Hillview House Hostel's location is often highlighted as a major advantage. Well-located and easily accessible, it offers a serene retreat just outside the bustling center of Inverness. Visitors appreciate its proximity to the city center with many noting that it's within walking distance or a short bus ride away. The hostel's position near the scenic River Ness allows for beautiful walks along the river, adding a touch of nature to the urban experience.
For those traveling by car, the hostel provides convenient parking facilities and serves as an ideal base for exploring the surrounding areas, including Loch Ness. The peaceful residential setting guarantees a quiet stay, making it an excellent choice for families and travelers seeking tranquility. Despite being slightly out of the way, guests find the location convenient and value for money. The combination of a quiet atmosphere and easy access to Inverness's attractions renders Hillview House Hostel a favored option for visitors.
Rooms
'Hillview House Hostel Inverness' features rooms that consistently receive praise for their spaciousness, cleanliness and comfort. Guests frequently mention the large size of the rooms, which can comfortably accommodate multiple adults and highlight the modern, well-maintained private bathrooms. The beds are noted to be comfortable, promising a good night's sleep, as exemplified by one guest's daughter who had the best night's rest. The hostel also offers sizable kitchen and dining areas, which add to the convenience and value for families and groups.
The positive feedback extends to the overall cleanliness of the accommodations with rooms meticulously kept and equipped with necessary amenities like bedding and towels. The overall sentiment from guests is one of satisfaction, as the spacious and cozy rooms contribute to a pleasant stay near the city center. With the added convenience of ample parking space and an accommodating host, Hillview House Hostel stands out as a comfortable and welcoming option for travelers.
Beds
Hillview House Hostel Inverness has received varied feedback regarding its beds. While many guests found the beds to be clean and comfortable, offering a good night's sleep, there were multiple comments noting the uncomfortable nature of some of the mattresses. Issues such as thin pillows, worn-out mattresses and the sensation of springs were mentioned several times. Despite these concerns, several guests did enjoy a restful sleep and appreciated the softness and comfort of their beds. Overall, the bedding cleanliness and comfort received positive remarks; however, some mattresses may need updating to ensure a consistently pleasant sleeping experience for all guests.
Cleanliness
Hillview House Hostel in Inverness receives mixed reviews regarding its cleanliness. Among the positive feedback, the rooms and bathrooms are frequently described as clean, tidy and renovated. Guests appreciate the cleanliness of individual spaces such as bedrooms and note that both the room and bathroom facilities are maintained relatively well. Some reviews even mention the property as being very clean overall.
However, numerous complaints highlight significant issues with the cleanliness and upkeep of the hostel's communal areas, particularly the kitchen. Guests consistently report the kitchen as being dirty with sticky and deteriorated cooking equipment and a generally unpleasant odor. Observations include dirty plates left out, a filthy shared fridge and grease covering surfaces. The need for a deep cleaning and better maintenance is a recurrent theme.
Additional criticisms mention that the property feels neglected and poorly maintained. Problems include mold in bathrooms, cold water for showers, stained sheets and occasional bed bug reports. Some guests also point out that the exterior is cluttered and that there are deficiencies in the availability of furniture for storing personal items.
In summary, while private rooms and bathrooms at Hillview House Hostel Inverness receive generally positive remarks about cleanliness, communal areas, especially the kitchen, require significant improvements to meet guest expectations.
Staff
Visitors to Hillview House Hostel Inverness have mixed feelings about the staff presence and availability. While some guests highlight incredibly nice aspects such as a helpful, responsive and kind host named Donald, there are frequent mentions of an absence of staff during their stay. Guests often noted that there was no one to meet them upon arrival and that the reception remained unattended throughout their visit. Communication appeared challenging with several reports of ignored emails and phone calls. Information was generally relayed via messages and though efficient for some, it left other guests wanting more direct interaction. The hostel’s no-contact check-in and check-out policy, possibly a precaution due to Covid-19, seems to have contributed to these mixed impressions. Overall, while the staff's friendliness and helpfulness are appreciated when experienced, the lack of on-site presence and responsiveness is a significant point of concern for many visitors.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi experience at Hillview House Hostel Inverness has been a point of contention among guests. While there is access to free WiFi, many have reported significant issues with its stability and availability. Some indicated that the WiFi network was either very weak, unstable or entirely unavailable in their rooms. Additionally, confusion arose from outdated or incorrect WiFi information sheets, often leaving guests without proper access. Despite claims on the site about WiFi availability, it seems the service did not meet expectations consistently. There is a notable mention that the WiFi was functional, hinting at intermittent success for some guests. Overall, reliable internet access appears to be a challenge at this hostel.
Parking
Hillview House Hostel Inverness features parking that guests generally find convenient and relatively safe. Many appreciate the ample parking spaces with several noting the ease of parking directly in front of the accommodation or inside a gated area. The availability of free on-site parking has been highlighted positively with some guests expressing relief at having a secure spot for their vehicle right outside their room.
While the parking facilities are often adequate, a few reviews do indicate limitations. Some guests found the parking space to be tight or limited and occasionally there was not enough space to accommodate all vehicles. Despite these occasional shortcomings, the overall feedback suggests that the parking options are satisfactory for most visitors.
No, Hillview House Hostel Inverness doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Hillview House Hostel Inverness.
No, Hillview House Hostel Inverness doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Hillview House Hostel Inverness.
No, Hillview House Hostel Inverness doesn't have a gym.