Super friendly staff and excellent location with free parking once you've registered. Excellent value for money for a family of five exploring the area, especially as we booked in an hour before arriving. Communal areas are well looked after, with everyone carefully tidying up after themselves and staff doing regular cleans too. There's brilliant outdoor space and a cafe on site.

Gets a bit noisy in the morning if you're trying to catch a lie in and you have to run a LOT of water before it is hot enough to shower. Just be aware all adults will need photo ID and bring your own towel.

The location is fantastic. You step out side straight into lake area with views of the lake and surrounding hills / jetty and ferries on right hand side 17.50 for return ticket to bowness/ bus stops just at the top bus 555 to keswick or kendal 2 pound per trip or an Explorer ticket 20 minute walk into ambleside and local shops and tesco /hostel very busy restaurant was busy had full english and tried continental breakfast both good at 5.95 and 9.95 / nice staff there is some scaffolding outside and repair workgoing on had 3 quite nights very nice staff self catering kitchen used to make evening meals quite large maze of corridors and rooms a lot of stairs quite mixed age of people staying had 4 bed dorm to myself

No privacy curtains on. Bunk beds No wifi in the room had to sit in the lounge. most people out and about till late on No metal locker cages under beds, just a storage box No lockers but there was a storage room for luggage Does look a little worn and does have ongoing work going on

can't grumble with the price, £15 for a night in a shared room in the middle of the lake district (although it was mid-january). room was warm, although it was already full other than my bed, and you don't get a bed number so i had to fumble around in the dark looking for the one empty bunk. also, some pillock answering the phone at 4am to talk to his wife at full volume was a right laugh. £15 though, i'll take it all day long

they could keep their prices affordable all year round , but just like everything else in the lakes, its an absolute rip off most of the time. the cost for the same bed is more than double in June. absolutely not worth paying £40+ for if you can avoid it there are no numbers on the beds which can be awkward trying to find your bunk for the first time in the pitch black

I loved that the communal areas were kept clean as much as possible. I loved the idea of the self-catering kitchen, helped to cut cost while still eating what you want. Allowed a bit of socializing too 😅. The centrality of the location to places, and closeness to the busstop is also great. I love that it is situated on a lakefront, very relaxing to just sit in the lounge and stare at the lake. Loved that there were books and games providing a variety of activities to occupants. In all, I think it provides way more value for the price.😀

The heating in my room was faulty maybe, so the room was quite cold. The wash hand basin was also blocked which caused some inconvenience. Asides that, everything else was great 👍🏽

Loved the atmosphere, and the other guests. Self catering was really handy and everyone was especially social because of the types of people who use this accommodation. The staff were super helpful, happy and bubbly.

The only negatives were the showers, which had great pressure, but a fixed head and nowhere to hide while you found the right temperature and clothes got wet. The cubic and leaked into the carpet outside. The only other thing was the mattresses, which were wipeable, for hygiene reasons, but made noise every time anyone turned over in the night.

The ambience was exceptional, with all the facilities being top-notch — from the spotless bathrooms and well-equipped kitchen to the stunning and peaceful lake view at the front. The staff were also incredibly friendly and helpful. My partner and I stayed in a hostel for the first time instead of a hotel, and we absolutely loved the hostel culture. We stayed for four days and even tried the unlimited breakfast one day, which was quite good. We would definitely love to revisit this place again!

My stay at YHA Ambleside was exceptional, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to experience the beauty of the Lake District. The location is unbeatable—right on the shores of Lake Windermere with stunning views of the water and surrounding hills. Waking up to the serene lakeside scenery was a highlight of my trip. The hostel itself is modern, clean, and well-maintained. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, with a variety of options from private rooms to dorms, all at a reasonable price. The common areas, especially the lounge and dining area, are inviting, offering the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring. There’s also a well-equipped self-catering kitchen for those who prefer to prepare their meals. One of my favorite parts of YHA Ambleside was the on-site restaurant and bar. The food was delicious, with a good variety of options, and enjoying a meal or a drink while overlooking the lake was unforgettable. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help with suggestions for local walks, attractions, or transportation. The hostel is also a great base for hiking, with plenty of trails starting nearby, including easy access to the Ambleside town center. Overall, YHA Ambleside offers an unbeatable combination of comfort, convenience, and breathtaking views, making it a perfect choice for travelers exploring the Lake District. I can’t wait to return!

While my stay at YHA Ambleside was fantastic overall, there were a few minor aspects that could be improved: 1. Wi-Fi Connectivity: The Wi-Fi was a bit spotty, especially in the dorms and private rooms. It worked best in the common areas, but for those needing reliable internet, this might be a slight inconvenience. 2. Parking Availability: Parking can be a challenge, especially during peak times. There are limited spaces, so you might need to park a bit further away, which could be inconvenient if you have a lot of luggage. These were minor issues in the grand scheme of things and didn’t detract much from the overall experience. Despite these, I would still highly recommend YHA Ambleside for its fantastic location, great amenities, and friendly atmosphere.

Amazing view, comfortable room, great kitchen facilities, parking good. not space for everyone but considering the location not surprising. Bar reasonable and good enough range of choices even for vegetarians. Very relaxed atmosphere and plenty of sitting rooms for residents. The artwork on the walls was a lovely feature.

Only real downside was the rain and obviously that was beyond anyone's control...and it's the Lake District so not unusual.

The location right beside the water is wonderful! The outdoor seating areas, café/ bar and communal areas all overlook the lake and mountain scenery. The Ambleside pier is right beside the hostel. There was no food catering a available on the day I stayed, due to refurbishments, but there is a well equipped self- catering kitchen, which unfortunately I wasn't aware of when booking, but I could have used if better prepared. My single bedroom was basic, but had a wash basin, and was amazingly good value for money. Staff were friendly and helpful. I would definitely stay here again.

Not a big issue, but due to where my bedroom was located (I guess), I had to open three separate doors with a key fob on the way, plus my bedroom door with a key, which gave it a bit of a "prison vibe". (Or could alternatively also be interpreted as "feeling extremely safe" in my room ;). )

The staff was extremely helpful polite but did seem a bit over run when we came . I know this sometimes can't be helped. They still were very helpful and polite and on hand 24/7 . Loved they had the no nose in place between hours . Value for money, especially for a night with a family in the summer holidays . Games and communal rooms are available . The views over the lake are stunning 😍 And 2 keys to the room . Food and drink were nice and good for money. Overall, the location was brilliant

Walls and celing crumbling damp windows and tiny tiny toilet that are sheared .. Cleaning was a bit slack. But I believe this was due to the amount of safe availability. As everything seemed to be cleaned by morning