Iona Hostel

this is truly a wonderful hostel, kept to the highest standards, and lovingly tended, never seen a hostel quite like it actually.

Iona is my favorite place in the world, and this fine hostel allows freedom and community and I loved it and am now looking forward too returning whenever possible. The owner has done a great service for the Island and its guests, the hostel is both tastefuly and sensitively designed. can't wait to get back. Oh yes, bring good warming food and enjoy. I was last there oct 2004.

This is the best hostel in the world! I love it so much! Going to the beach everyday is great and its lovely to go in the summer. The air is so clean and fresh!

This is the best hostel in the world! It's really friendly and cozy with the beach just round the corner. Every year we come and stay here. I would recommend it completely!

Five stars are not enough for this hostel. I enjoyed my stay so much I have longed to go back ever since. The dorm had lovely big beds, proper bathrooms, and a lovely social common room with an open fire and a large communal table. The island is very beautiful. I went to the evening service at the abbey, a lovely relaxing, moving and uplifting service. Even if you don't have any religious beliefs, I recommend visiting the abbey for the sheer beauty of it lit up by candlelight and floodlit at night and to see a part of Iona that is very important. I found the owners to be the friendliest ever. The Island offers lots of lovely areas for walking or quiet thinking. I agree that you should stock up on food in Mull or Oban. Eating options on the island are limited. Another guest who was there had gone for one night and was still there three weeks later. I know how she felt. I just wanted to stay forever.

This is one of my top hostels. It is small, with only 18 beds, and very cozy. The bunks are huge, with good storage areas and big private bathrooms. There is excellent decoration throughout the place, and it has a warm communal lounge. There is one large table. The self-catering facilities are excellent. The owners were very friendly, and they introduced people who were arriving to other guests who were around. It is on a very quiet island — after all the day-trippers have gone, it's lovely and peaceful. There is a very clean beach with crystal clear water beside the hostel. This is not a party place — there is no TV, Internet access, phone or stereo, and guests are asked to respect that this is a place that many people come to for reflection and retreat. The long walk from the ferry terminal is more than worth it for this level of comfort. The other guests were very friendly. A tip — if you're self-catering, stock up before arriving on the island as the local shop has a very small and very expensive range of food. My only regret was that I couldn't stay longer than I did.