Islesburgh voted Europe’s best hostel
THE LERWICK youth hostel at Islesburgh House has been voted the best in Europe and joint second in the world, according to the influential youth hostel website Hostelling International – www.hihostels.com
The council-owned hostel achieved a 96 per cent customer satisfaction rating on the site, which is affiliated to 4,000 youth hostels worldwide.
This put Islesburgh House just one point behind the “boutique” hostel Baan Dinso, in Bangkok, Thailand, and on level pegging with Hyannis, at Hyannis Harbour, in Massachusetts.
It came two points ahead of the world famous Reykjavik Downtown Hostel to take the European crown for hostelling experiences.
Islesburgh House is one of a handful that have received a five star rating from VisitScotland and was described by Hostelling International as “the perfect base from which to explore the Shetland Islands”.
The historic merchant’s house was restored by the council in the 1990s and now has 64 beds that are well-used during major events such as the Shetland Folk Festival, at the end of April.
Hostel manager Dale Smith described the poll as “staggering”, especially the fact that 98 per cent of visitors had praised the staff’s friendliness.
“This is a testament to the hard work that the staff put in. They always go that bit further and give the tourists more than they are expecting,” Mr Smith said.
Shetland Islands Council culture spokeswoman Florence Grains added: “It just shows I think not only how good the facilities are, but how friendly, approachable and welcoming Shetland can be to its visitors.”
Comments on the website included: “Helpful and friendly staff that show a genuine pro-active interest in the guests. The building is beautiful and well maintained and kept very clean,” and: “This was my first experience of a youth hostel and I thought it excellent. We had to stay one night in a hotel in another part of the island but the hostel was much better in all respects.”
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