Port Charlotte Youth Hostel
About About this youth hostel
We welcome the recent announcement by the Scottish Government on the responsible lifting of restrictions and are delighted to be able to plan for the re-opening of our self-catering kitchens from 1st November. Drying room facilities are now available at many of our hostels but we would ask you to please contact the hostel team directly to allow them to manage your access. 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. Please remember, this guidance may be different in England and Wales.
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
30/08/21
Karl and Lorna ensured I had everything I needed when I arrived to make my stay as comfortable as possible. Thanks so much!Justin
27/08/21
We had a lovely 2 nights at the hostel & wished we had stayed much longer. The lack of a kitchen was a shame but not the hostel's fault. We would love to return.Sarah M
23/08/21
Fantastic place to stay, Karl and Lorna are welcoming, kind and helpful. The hostel is homely, well looked after and so very clean. All facilities just right for our needs. The location is perfect, beside the beach and there is an abundance of things to do in the area, whiskey tours, visits to museums, trip to Jura, walking, cycling, swimming and beautiful places to visit. A wonderful time had by all - we highly recommend the hostel and the hosts! Thank you.SM
18/08/21
Absolute pleasure staying at Port Charlotte again. Karl and Lorna are so welcoming and make the stay a joy. Already book for next year.James Dowsett
06/08/21
Lovely old building. Karl and Laura were absolutely fantastic..very friendly and helpful and made us feel very welcome. We loved the new beds with charging points - and the bike store!Sheila
02/08/21
lovely hostel, great location, right on the beach, in beautiful village. Facilities are excellent, great breakfast. And the hostel manager Carl and his wife are so helpful.The francis family
28/07/21
Excellent stay hosted by Karl and Lorna. Hostel was very clean and comfortable. No complaints.Ben
27/07/21
The hosts kept the hostel place very very clean and I really appreciate it the drying room they had set up. The hosts were very nice and tried to address each person's needs. They served a wonderful breakfast and it was very appreciated. I particularly liked having bikes available. They always smiled when they greet you in the morning by name. They let me use some of their tape and spare boxes to send a box home.Al Hunter
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
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
