Choose the Fort William Backpackers if you want a classic bustling and lively backpacker hostel in the western Scottish Highlands.
The Location
Fort William Backpackers is about as close to the train station as you're likely to get. As such it is also close to two large supermarkets that are conveniently located next to the train station -- handy for supplies. You can be at the train station in five or ten minutes, and the town centre another five minutes or so after this.
Rooms and Bathrooms
This is a reasonably small hostel but it is packed to the rafters. There are more dorm rooms than you would have believed possible from looking at the size of the building and the place is often fully booked -- predominantly due to the low bed cost and the fact that Fort William is the most popular base for those visiting the Nevis range.
The dorms themselves also have as many beds as it is possible to squeeze in them. They are comfortable, if small (it's more akin to sleeping on a shelf than in a bed), and the linen is included in the bed price. Showers, however, are in short supply and it is important that you budget your time for a bit of a wait in the morning or evening if you're running to a schedule. The showers are also unisex, which some people might not be comfortable with.
Common Spaces
There are the usual common spaces -- kitchen, dining room (although, again, not adequately large for the volume of guests), computer area (although they also have Wi-Fi if you've brought your own laptop), and a common room that is usually too full to find much of a space in. After 10:30 p.m. is quiet time, which is considerate for those with early hikes or onward travel -- and most guests usually obey it. It's a good hostel for meeting people due to the number of them passing through and there's a friendly though not overly noisy atmosphere about the place.
Summary
Overall, this is a good place to stay in Fort William, even if it's often rather busy (and as such it is advisable to book ahead -- especially in the summer).
— Informe exclusivo de Hostelz.com
August 2009
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