Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel sits on the NC500, beside a beautiful, sheltered white sandy beach, close to the iconic mountain of Suilven.
This small and friendly hostel provides a relaxing base to explore miles of unspoilt coastline and discover quiet secluded beaches, crystal clear waters and abundant wildlife.
The hostel offers guests three comfortable private rooms and spacious shared accommodation with private lockers. Guests can enjoy a ‘Wee Breakfast’ of cereal, Scottish yogurt, fresh fruit, tea and coffee; or take advantage of the recently refurbished and well-equipped self-catering kitchen to prepare their own.
Other facilities include a cosy dining area with wood burning stove, a laundry and small shop in reception selling basic provisions, soft drinks and snacks. There is no WiFi because of the hostel’s remote location. Free parking is available close by.
Achmelvich Beach is a dog-friendly hostel. If you would like to book yourself and your dog into the hostel, please phone the hostel direct on +44 (0) 1571 844 480 to check availability. There is a small charge of £5 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
For information on hostel accessibility please click here
Why stay?
- Friendly, helpful and welcoming staff
- Unique, unspoilt location with stunning views
- Secure lockers
- Private rooms available
Achmelvich Beach Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
April - September (RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
Reception closes at 22:00
Check in
17:00 - 22:00
Check out
08:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
The youth hostel is closed between 10:00 and 17:00
Amenities
En Suite Rooms Available
Private Rooms Available
Family Rooms Available
'Heat it and Eat Meals' available
Group Catering Available (Wee Breakfast Only)
Self Catering Kitchen
Complimentary Tea and Coffee available in Self Catering Kitchen
Laundry Room
Secure Lockers
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Pet Dogs Welcome
Guest Reviews
15/08/19
I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 night stay here. The weather was very varied, and it was great to have a dry and cosy base. The hostel is really well run and cared for, and there are some very thoughtful touches, including curtained off division of the dorm so despite being 8-bedded it really feels like 2-bedded private rooms. The communal area was excellent, with the honesty provision of good coffee a real treat. Big thanks to Jarine and Ben.Liz, Pitlochry
12/08/19
The hostel is located just beside the beach and is easy to get to. One of the best hostels I've stayed so far. There are provisions for complimentary tea and coffee, which was a really nice gesture. There is a tiny chicken coop where the hens runs around and fresh eggs can be taken for a small donation. The accomodation and washrooms were clean and well maintained. I've already recommended this hostel to several friends and colleagues, and other travellers met on our route. Would love to go backYes
11/08/19
Lovely sunset. Too many midges in the morning! Good place to buy breakfast in Lochinver.Iain
11/08/19
Achmelvich Beach has become one of my favourite hostels after this visit. Situated in a perfect location near idyllic beaches and a fantastic landscape including the magnificent mountain Suilven, there is no shortage of things to do, including walking, water sports or simply relaxing at the beach. The staff are friendly and welcoming and the kitchen and common room area has a very friendly and cosy area. If you get the opportunity visit this hostel- you won't regret it!James
06/08/19
Delightful hostel and a very warm welcome - I just need to work out when I can get back thereChris, Dundee
04/08/19
Thank you Jorine and Ben. What a lovely hostel - cosy, friendly and spotless - and a location to die for. The flowers of the machair and the butterflies are wonderful.Rachel from Winchester
31/07/19
Wasn't quite sure about booking this place at first but so glad I did. It's in the middle of nowhere but totally worth it - a 2 minute walk to a beautiful bay with white sands and clear waters. Jorine was very helpful with local walks and knowledge and very friendly. Place was clean and tidy. Would go back again.Gavin
29/07/19
Fabulous location and a great hostel set-up. Clear that all the staff love and care for the place and want their guests to appreciate this beautiful part of Scotland too.No
28/07/19
The staff went out of their way to help with every request for help.No
22/07/19
Absolutely fabulous location - loved our stay and we will be back. Thanks Hostelling Scotland!Penny
21/07/19
Had an amazing time at Achmelvich due to the lovely staff and unique location. My favourite Youth Hostel by far!Yes
20/07/19
Best Hostel we have visited so far. Extra cosy and a very attendant manager. Thank you.Janette
19/07/19
I just love this hostel. It's not the lap of luxury but it's clean, the kitchen facilities are good, the shower is excellent and the staff are welcoming. It's not a big hostel so it's cosy and friendly. The main building itself is a delightful old schoolhouse with lovely flowerbeds - it's most pleasant just sitting outside at the picnic tables enjoying the surroundings and sea view. A beautiful beach is very close, with another (more quiet) beach a little further beyond - stunning for sunsets.Pamela
19/07/19
Jorine and Ben are lovely hosts and very helpful. A ceilidh that took place while we were there was an unexpected bonus. And it is in a great location just by the beach, a perfect stopping point on the NC500 route.Ian
16/07/19
Location, location, location! A wonderful “old style” hostel in a remote and beautiful part of Scotland. Very relaxed atmosphere and great staff. We were blessed with exceptional weather.Drawdenotle
15/07/19
Stunning location. Very friendly check staff who offered helpful tips. Waited until early evening when most people had gone & then went for a swim. Picnic on the rocks above the beach. Awesome clear blue water. It's a youth hostel so a no frills, great value place to stay, kitchen facilities & nice to meet other travellers. We had a private room with shared bathroom, but the other guests were quite considerate. Don't forget to buy yummy pies for dinner from the Lochinver pie shop.No
14/07/19
Very friendly place, off the beaten track and hence ideal for some proper relaxation! Beautiful beach, especially in good weather.Andres
13/07/19
Wunderschöne Location, haben Zeit genossen, einfache Unterkunft mit Charme, sehr angenehmer Kontakt mit Mitarbeitenden.P. Häubi
11/07/19
A return visit to this brilliant wee hostel, and I'll be back with my young family! Friendly, helpful staff. The only additional thing it could do with is a drying room for after a soggy day in the hills! A great quiet base for day trips to the hills, beaches, caves and woodland. The local ceilidh band had a jamming session one evening in the lounge - brilliant!Michelle
10/07/19
Very nice, wonderful sceneryall around and very friendly welcoming.Charlotte
09/07/19
From the beginning to the end of the stay, a remarkable and delightful experience.The way the Hostel is run , melting with the real sustainable and proud Crofter way of life of the area. Our hosts were very helpful and the Hens provided the most delicious omelette that anyone (not vegan) could have. Real shame we could not extend our visit a "wee" bit longerThank you so much Jorene and Ben for such a wonderful treat and hope to be back soon.Oskar
26/06/19
A very friendly and well-managed hostel - well nigh perfect.Annette
25/06/19
wonderfull placepiotr
24/06/19
A fantastic location and lovely staff at great value.Ross
21/06/19
Small but really well sorted hostel. I would say the excellent weather helped the outdoor living experience and the beach is lovely. Only discovered the fish and chips at the caravan site too late but they looked and smelled lovely. Best hostel of the trip.SM
21/06/19
Everything I needed and more. Sarah the warden was great. Don't make it any more upmarket. Meals were a bonus and much appreciated.Toni
19/06/19
Another excellent, small and friendly hostel in a superb location.Private room was small but very warm and comfortable. Facilities were all very clean and well cared for. Self catering kitchen was very well equipped.Had intended to go out to eat but when we saw our cosy hostel we decided to say in and try the Heat and Eat. What an excellent idea! (Think YHA England could learn a bit from you). Will certainly recommend it to others.Alison
18/06/19
Excellent location, beautiful setting and scenery on the whole peninsula. Friendly and helpful check-in staff, well equipped kitchen and comfortable lounge area.Andrew
17/06/19
Excellent stay. Friendly staff. Greatly approve of the 'old style' hostel requirement to make and strip own beds (unlike YHA England and Wales now trying to compete with budget hotel chains). Simple, very clean, excellent showers and washroom, good kitchen, comfy dorm accommodation. A proper youth hostel in a cracking place.Will
16/06/19
Lovely time at Achmelvich Beach! Great atmosphere, cosy common room and good showers. And the location... will definitely visit again.Tanja
For information on hostel accessibility please click here
Why stay?
- Friendly, helpful and welcoming staff
- Unique, unspoilt location with stunning views
- Secure lockers
- Private rooms available
Reasons to visit
Located on the famous NC500 and just 300 metres from a legendary white sandy beach, Achmelvich Beach is the perfect starting point for stunning coastal and hill walks. The crystal clear waters also make it a great base for sea kayaking and snorkelling.
The Drumbeg Loop is a real driver's road, with spectacular drive with views. Single track with tight turns and blind bends it boasts some of the most beautiful, dramatic views you will ever see. A must-do and definitely one for the bucket list!
One of the more unusual local attractions is the 'Hermit's Castle'. This children's sized "castle" is hidden away over the headland from Achmelvich Bay, a 10-15 minute walk from Achmelvich Beach. The castle was built in the 1950s and, despite appearances, it's only just big enough to stand inside it. An unusual building in a very wild location.
There are a number of great local restaurants within easy reach including the world famous Lochinver Larder. The Caberfeidh Gastro Pub serves up amazing seafood dishes in an informal pub setting. From ludicrously good langoustines to enormous beer-battered cod goujons and grilled goat's cheese with red onion marmalade - ignore the rustic feel of the interior and enjoy local Scottish seafood at its best!
For wildlife enthusiasts, whale and dolphin watching boat trips leave from Lochinver.
With spectacular scenery, fine local produce and unforgettable sunsets, Achmelvich Beach is a truely memorable stay.
