INFORMATION ABOUT STAYING IN A HOSTEL WITH THE GROUP
Introduction
Hostels provide comfortable bunk style accommodation. They remain one of the cheapest ways of getting to see and stay safely in some of the best locations in England and Wales. They are ideal accommodation for people involved in outdoor activities. Facilities usually include self catering facilities, lounge and drying room facilities. The hostels are in a wide range of buildings ranging from grand houses to cottages. Each hostel usually has a different atmosphere.
The weekends away with Leeds YHA walking group provide an opportunity to stay at different hostels and visit places further afield and/or explore an area in more depth. There is also more time to get to know your fellow group members.
Do I have to share a room?
Normally on a weekend away you share a room with other group members of same sex. Many hostels do also have private rooms that you can have to yourself or share with a friend or partner at extra cost. If you require a private room please book this directly with the hostel (See booking independently below).
Staying in a dormitory
Staying in a dormitory can be fun, however, please consider your room mates and keep noise to a minimum between 10pm and 7am. When you arrive at the hostel, visit the reception desk and find your allocated room. You can thenclaim your bed. It is important to make up your bed in the early evening so that you do not disturb other people in the room who may be sleeping later in the evening. It is not acceptable to start making your bed and organising your belongings after 10pm when other people are sleeping in the room.
It is also important to keep the main light off between these times when people may be asleep or trying to get to sleep after a day out on the hills. If you are planning to stay up late it can be helpful to take a torch with you so that you do not need to put a light on when you go to bed. Likewise if you are going to go to bed late or get up early before the majority of others in the dormitory it can be helpful to organise your gear in advance to minimise disturbance to your room mates. An eye mask and ear plugs reduce sensory awareness and can be helpful items when staying in a dormitory.
Some of the hostels now have en suites in the dorms. When using the showers, please be mindful that other people may be sleeping and the noise from the shower may disturb them, particularly if it is late in the evening.
A quarter of the population regularly snore therefore it is normal and not to be joked about. It is not appropriate to disturb somebody during the night to try and stop them snoring. If you suffer from snoring there are lifestyle changes you can make to minimise snoring; such as trying to sleep on your side and treatments are available. More information is available on the NHS direct website.
You can usually come and go in the hostel as you wish. Many hostels will give you a key or the combination for the lock on the front door. If you are coming back to the hostel late at night please keep the noise levels down. Many of the dorms are situated above the communal kitchen and lounge areas. As the noise levels rises, people sleeping above these communal areas will be disturbed.
Laundered bed linen, pillows, duvet and blankets are provided for you to make up your bed. You will need to bring a towel. Please do not move mattresses on to the floor or to the communal lounge to sleep as this presents a fire or trip hazard and uses up valuable floor space in the room and prevents early risers from using the lounge in the morning.
Is there a catering service?
Most locations have a fully equipped self catering kitchen for you to prepare your own meals. Some offer cooked and continental breakfasts, picnic lunch and evening meals. Hostels which provide food offer good value, simple, quality meals using fresh seasonal produce. The group often opt to have a group meal at hostels which provide a catering service on the Saturday evening of weekends away.
Can I bring alcohol with me?
If you are staying in a licensed YHA then you are not permitted to bring your own alcohol. Licenced YHAs have a fine selection of regional ales, quality wines and lagers from around the world as well as soft drinks at competitive prices for drinking with the meal. Alcohol can be brought to non licensed premises or properties hired under the Escape to... scheme.
Do I have to do chores?
When staying in a YHA hostel there are staff to make sure the accommodation is clean. However, please tidy up after yourselves in the self catering kitchen and lounge promptly after meals etc. YHA’s also ask you to strip your bed sheets and place them into the laundry baskets provided on departure.
When staying in some independent hostels and National trust accommodation, in which we have sole occupancy, you will be expected to help with basic tidying and cleaning before we leave.
Security
Do not leave valuables in the room. Members are responsible for the security of their own belongings. However, please respect this and keep the door locked when nobody is in the room and at night if appropriate.
Can I bring my dog?
Only registered assistance dogs are allowed in hostels. Some members who are dog owners come on group weekends. They either book alternative Bed and Breakfast dog friendly accommodation in the same locality or leave their dog in their car when they are in the hostel and join the group for walks and if the group visit a dog friendly pub in the evening.
Staying in a hostel
Please be mindful of your fellow group members, other guests and the staff we may be sharing the hostel with. We represent the Leeds YHA group when we are staying at hostels. Inappropriate behaviour or language of one member could result in the whole group being asked to leave without a refund or losing its affiliation with the national YHA and associated benefits. Therefore, please keep noise to a minimum throughout the hostel between 11pm and 7am when other guests may be asleep.
Can I book independently?
Beds reserved through the group need to be paid for two months in advance. If you wish to book on a weekend after the closing date issued by the organiser please contact the hostel directly. If you book independently you may be asked to pay the non member supplement unless you are a member of the YHA yourself.
If you feel that this style of accommodation does not meet your needs you are welcome to book alternative accommodation in the same locality e.g. Bed and breakfast, camping etc. and join group members on the walks. Some members will usually visit the local pub in the evening. At some hostels it may also be possible to join the group meal ,at the manager’s discretion.
Can I give feedback on my recent stay with YHA?
Yes, YHA would like to hear from you. You can tell YHA about your stay by completing their online survey or by calling YHA customer services free on 0800 019 511.
Feedback to the group
Please remember that this is your group and we value your opinions. If you have any issues or comments about the group please get in touch with one of our contacts:
Mary Massey 0113 2286766
Jan Wright 0113 2582615
This includes any concerns or complaints about the behaviour of group members which can be dealt with by our complaints procedure.
Committee
Mary Massey - Chair, Janice Bairstow - Treasurer, Darren Turnor/Jan Wright – Membership secretary, Edna Gardiner, Karen Smith, Margaret Brown, Paula Brill
Original documentation by Rachel Mills