Whitepark Bay Hostel is situated on the beautiful coast of Northern Ireland, close to the village of Ballintoy in County Antrim. The nearest large town is Ballycastle, a popular seaside resort.
The hostel has, without a doubt, one of the most spectacular settings in the world! It overlooks the wide, unspoilt sweep of Whitepark Bay with its beautiful cliffs and expanse of golden sand. The area around the hostel is a nature reserve, much visited by locals and discerning travellers. The hostel overlooks a tiny whitewashed cottage which was the very first youth hostel in Northern Ireland and is today preserved as a national monument.
The hostel entrance is bright and inviting and the staff extra friendly, in typical Irish fashion. They answer all questions with the utmost patience and nothing is too much trouble for them!
Plenty of parking is available right outside the front door. The spacious sitting room with its cozy fireplace has large picture windows with marvellous views of the bay. This opens on to the airy dining area, with balcony overlooking the sea. The guest kitchen is spotless in stainless steel and very well equipped.
Breakfast is an optional extra, but most guests prefer self-catering. It is unfortunate that there are no other optional meals provided, as the nearest shops are in Ballintoy, a 10 minute drive away. Also, internet facilities would be a welcome plus, in additional to a small shop with basic necessities for guests!
Certainly, nothing else about the hostel merits the slightest criticism! The rooms are immaculate. The 2-bed rooms have their own unsurpassed view of the bay, with cattle grazing right outside!
The 2-bed rooms have TV, tea- and coffee-making facilities and hair dryer! (something very unique for a hostel -– and even for any budget hotel!) The en-suite bathroom contains a spotless shower, basin, and toilet. The linen is crisp and new and the colourful duvets complete this picture of 5-star bliss! Whitepark Bay can sleep up to 54 people. A bus stop with service to all the surrounding villages is situated 200 metres away. Belfast is 80 km away.
The surroundings are spectacular – Giant's Causeway (the natural wonder with its hexagonal rock formations), Bushmills (the world's oldest whiskey distillery), the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the magnificent ruins of Dunluce Castle, and numerous quaint villages, such as Ballintoy and Bushmills.
For a hostel with a difference in the most spectacular scenery, Whitepark Bay cannot be beat!
-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
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