Port Charlotte Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
We welcome the recent announcement by the Scottish Government on the gradual and responsible easing of restrictions from 19 July. Unfortunately due to continued requirement for social distancing, we are unable to open our self-catering kitchens at this time. We hope to provide a date for the opening of these facilities following the next Scottish Government update. The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests, employees and the communities in which we operate remains our main priority at this time. For more information on what to expect when staying with us please visit the FAQ's section of this website.
As you’ll appreciate, advice on Covid-19 is constantly changing and we would ask all our guests to continue to refer to Scottish Government guidelines and Transport Scotland advice on travel and social distancing when making their booking.
Housed in a former distillery warehouse in the centre of the village, Port Charlotte Youth Hostel sits next to a safe sandy beach and boasts wonderful sea views.
Perfect for groups, families and individual travellers, this spacious and friendly hostel offers a range of comfortable room types, all able to be booked as private rooms.
Guests can opt for breakfast served in the dining room (please remember to pre-book), or take advantage of the modern, well-equipped self-catering kitchen.
The hostel has a large comfortable and cosy sitting room with stunning views of the Bay of Loch Indaal, guests can enjoy the well-stocked bookcase, games, socialising and the TV whilst relaxing with one of the local whiskies perhaps…
WiFi is free for all guests and other facilities include a laundry, drying room, secure cycle storage for up to 30 bikes and onsite parking for up to six cars. If the car park is full, it’s possible to park on the adjacent roadside.
Basic provisions, confectionery and soft drinks along with self-catering 'Heat and Eat Meals' is available to purchase at reception.
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
For information on hostel accessibility please click here
Why stay?
- Great hospitality from the friendly and knowledgeable staff
- Fantastic beachside location
- Sunrise over the Paps of Jura!
- Private rooms available
- Bike store
Port Charlotte Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
March to September (RentaHostel available all year)
Reception Hours
08:00-10:00 and 17:00-22:00
Check in
17:00 - 22:00
Check out
08:00 - 10:00
Access Hours
Late arrivals and access outside opening hours available by prior arrangement. Due
Amenities
Free Wifi
Private Rooms
Family Rooms
Catering
Lounge/TV Room
Laundry Room
Drying Room
Towel Hire
Bike Store
Shopping Nearby
Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
Guest Reviews
21/07/21
The gentleman that was running the hostel was extremely helpful, efficient and very friendly. The breakfast was very good value and the hostel is very clean with great facilities.Steve H
17/07/21
As always staying at the Port Charlotte Hostel is a very enjoyable experience and although things weren't exactly normal during these times, Karl and Lorna did their very best to ensure my stay was all that it could be. Everything is shipshape and super clean and I was made most welcome. The hostel is in a great location overlooking Loch Indaal and with great weather, was a perfect place to stay.Mary
11/07/21
VERY pleasant host (Kurt) who welcomed us warmly at 10pm and was eager to please and delightful throughout. Covid restrictions and social distancing had an inevitable effect on the atmosphere, but otherwise a grand stay. Hostel beds are never luxurious, but perfectly adequate.Damon
08/07/21
This little hostel was great, the lady checking us in was really helpful, she gave us suggestions on what to see and experience on the island, and was really approachable and friendly. The place was super clean a pleasure to stay in.Viviana
03/07/21
Absolutely brilliant wed booked very late and arrived at 10 30 pm. Your warden is a lovely chap and catered for us being vegan at breakfastEdric
01/07/21
We had a lovely stay at the hostel. Karl and Lorna were very welcoming, and super hosts.Phil and Rosie
27/06/21
Very welcoming and helpful staff, could not fault themWalter
25/06/21
The hostel was covid safe,. Excellent arrangements in place. The kitchen was closed but we had a BBQ in the garden with no issues. The rooms were spotlessly clean and very comfy as was the longe area. Excellent position for the village close to restraints. The safe were very friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay againMike
17/06/21
Lovely hostel, great hosts, made to feel very welcome. Thanks again, will be backAndrew
15/06/21
Our group stayed at Port Charlotte for 4 nights during restrictions still being in place. Some facilities were unavailable as a result of this and the hostel was unusually quiet so some of the ratings reflect this. The staff were very helpful, going out of their way to ensure that we were happy & comfortable. Would not hesitate to return again.Mary
07/09/20
The Port Charlotte hostel is very comfortable and located in a beautiful setting. The beds and showers are all brand new. One of the nicest things about the hostel is the common room with its soft chairs, relaxing atmosphere and beautiful views. The kitchen and dining area is large and and very well equipped. A lovely place to stay.Paddy
07/10/19
Staying at Port Charlotte with Karl and Lorna is like staying with friends. They can't do enough for you to make your stay at the hostel and visit to the island a positive experience. Islay is a popular island and I wonder if consideration could be given to keeping the hostel open for another few weeks? Islay is a famous for its thousands of over wintering geese - they arrive around mid-October.No
07/10/19
Had a fantastic stay, a beautiful hostel on a beautiful Island. The staff were super helpful and friendly, an absolute pleasureMichael McD
06/10/19
Home Sweet Home...Perfect little gem to stay for a day or two to visit Islay. Carl and Lorna are the friendliest, helpfuliest, and knowledgeable hosts you could ever wish to meet...An absolute joyful stay...Thank You Very muchlyLily
29/09/19
Outstandingly helpful staff.Lucy
27/09/19
Excellent, welcoming, knowledgeableSusie
19/09/19
Great place to stay,with very helpful staff.Beautiful views on to the shoreline,from the hostel.S.smith
19/09/19
An exceptional hostel, ideal location - First ClassRuss
19/09/19
An excellent experience, the staff were exceptional, the hostel was second to none, first classRuss
13/09/19
I cycled to port charlotte from port askaig in a fierce westerly headwind, arriving soaked in a state of exhaustion and only capable of uttering slurred monosyllables (64 and out my depth) the lovely lady and kind man received me with patience, but alas I forget their names as at the time I couldn't remember my own. overall view is 'ultra gallus' 'fandabidozi' etc. a wee gem of a hostel like they used to be. john cunningham, ayr.john cunningham
10/09/19
Freindly owners , fitted us even tho it was busy. Everything was cleanWill
19/08/19
Very nice welcome, beautiful locationAnn Drea
18/08/19
Our 2nd stay at this lovely hostel and one of our favourites due in no small part to Karl and Lorna who run the place so well. They are always so friendly and accommodating and keep the hostel very clean and tidy. Lots of great information and such a comfortable place to stay.Tam
14/08/19
My first contact was with Karl by phone and I found him so pleasant and easy to deal with.Lorna couldn't have been more welcoming when we arrived and very helpful on what to do in the area.All in all we left the hostel having had a very positive experience.It had been 40 years previously since I was hostelling. Will definitely do it again soon. Thank youMaria Kelly Ireland
08/08/19
Really enjoyed my visit and stay to Islay and Port Charlotte. I was over for the 'Ride of the Fallen Rain' cycling sportive and stayed here. The hostel is nice, spacious and the main lounge is bright and colourful. The kitchen was well equipped and well labelled where to find everything. The toilet, showers well good and nice and hot shower, reasonable pressure. The dorm was ideal for me had plenty of spaces. Lots of sockets for charging up things. Very friendly, welcoming and helpful staff!Douglas Beattie
07/08/19
Karl and Lorna run a hostel that is simply wonderful. I've stayed there 6 or 7 times and they always make you feel at home. They are wonderful hosts and nothing is too much trouble for them. A credit to SYHA.Nick L
03/08/19
I fehlt like coming home again.Yes
02/08/19
One of the best hostels that I have ever stayed in. Very clean and well-organised. Excellent facilities, including drying room and bike store. Kitchen is also well equipped. Location is great in the lovely small town of Port Charlotte. The hosts are very friendly and helpful. The hostel seems quite large but never felt crowded and the shared bathroom facilities were never busy either.Harry B
01/08/19
Excellent budget accommodation managed by the friendliest peopleYes
30/07/19
Very nice hostel, very clean, very easy check in and the atmosphere really warmhearted.Incredible kind and friendly host, always ready to help you.Norbert
Reasons to visit
With endless white sandy beaches, towering cliffs and an RSPB nature reserve, Port Charlotte is the perfect base for families, outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts to explore and discover Islay.
Finlaggan, three miles from Port Askaig, features the tumbledown ruins of houses and a chapel on an islet in a shallow loch marking what remains of the stronghold of the Lords of the Isles. The setting is beautiful and the history fascinating!
Islay is probably best known as the home of some of the world's best Scotch whisky. With eight active distilleries, the island is a pilgrimage for whisky lovers. Take time to explore them all, but don't forget to pace yourself!
Islay is known for its fine food with fresh seafood a popular choice for most visitors. Other attractions not to be missed include:
- Museum of Island Life
- Kildalton Cross
- Kilnave Cross
- The American Monument
- Machir Beach
- The Round Church
- Outback Art Gallery
- Islay Ales Microbrewery
