The location right beside the water is wonderful! The outdoor seating areas, café/ bar and communal areas all overlook the lake and mountain scenery. The Ambleside pier is right beside the hostel. There was no food catering a available on the day I stayed, due to refurbishments, but there is a well equipped self- catering kitchen, which unfortunately I wasn't aware of when booking, but I could have used if better prepared. My single bedroom was basic, but had a wash basin, and was amazingly good value for money. Staff were friendly and helpful. I would definitely stay here again.

Not a big issue, but due to where my bedroom was located (I guess), I had to open three separate doors with a key fob on the way, plus my bedroom door with a key, which gave it a bit of a "prison vibe". (Or could alternatively also be interpreted as "feeling extremely safe" in my room ;). )

YHA Ambleside exceeded my expectations! The staff here were incredibly kind and helpful throughout my stay. They went out of their way to ensure I had a comfortable experience. The hostel itself was clean, cozy, and in a fantastic location, making it an ideal base for exploring the Lake District. I highly recommend YHA Ambleside for a memorable stay with exceptional hospitality. A very kind receptionist (hair band) he helped me when a lady was decanting our food and drink into hers in the communal area, he jumped out of his seat ran and gave her a lecture on trust and the ethics of yha and made her give it back (he was amazing) she will not be doing that again anytime soon. Love callum and elliot room 117.

Could not get a cleaner to do our room while we were staying and booking extra days but I'm sure something happened for this rule to be enforced so not a biggy as we requested bedding and got it.

Well the location is absolutely outstanding. Any other minor inconveniences can be forgiven.

How can anyone complain, at this budget level?

We stayed for 4 nights in total, split into 2 separate dates within a 10 day period. We booked a triple room for 2 people. The beds were very comfortable, the rooms were quiet. The view on the first stay was superb overlooking Lake Windermere. The location was perfect for exploring Ambleside on foot and for reaching other areas in the Lakes.

The price for the first 2 nights was excellent as this was midweek, the price for the 2nd 2 nights jumped by about £170 as this was over the weekend. The toilet and showers are very small and quite tight in some cases to move around in.

On arrival we were upgraded to a bigger room, which had a fantastic view of the lake. We also had our own toilet and shower. The beds were comfortable and we both had a good night’s sleep.

We couldn’t sit and relax and enjoy the view of the lake because both chairs were very uncomfortable. One was a tub chair which really needs to be replaced. It is very worn and has a big split down the entire back. The other was a hard back chair with a wooden seat and arms which was uncomfortable to sit on.

The location is really nice as it is just nearby the ambleside pier, easy to locate. Good scenery- in front of the lakeside. With common kitchen, free to use, a big savings for a big group of people. Friendly and accommodating staff.

We stayed in a shared shower/toilet which is sufficient for all guests every floor, too small toilet. Not so safe as there were no cameras in the hallway. The rooms were small, but enough bedspace to sleep. There were no enough ventilation as only small window opening, fan had been provided but still warm in the room as the radiator knob was broken and unable to close it, so it's quite difficult to sleep.

Being a regular visitor on the YHA network, it is always such a pleasure staying at the hostel in Ambleside. The location is perfect, and the staff are always both professional and friendly. Unfortunately, I have had to write comments in the negative section this time (which is something I never do), but it won't stop me from visiting again very soon. Thumbs up from me. 👍

I never really have any complaints to make about this hostel, but reluctantly, I feel that I needed to on this occasion. Again, no food was being served from the restaurant, which ended my sausage and mash desire immediately. The room I was allocated looked like it hadn't been cleaned due to the amount of dust and dirt that was all over the skirting boards and wooden surfaces (it's OK though, I cleaned it myself).

My recent one-night stay at the hostel was nothing short of fantastic. The cleanliness of the facilities was impeccable, setting the stage for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. However, what truly stood out was the absolutely amazing lady at the reception. Her warmth, friendliness, and attentiveness made me feel instantly welcomed and valued as a guest. Additionally, the hostel's lounge area was another highlight of my stay. It provided a cozy and inviting space to relax and unwind, adding an extra layer of comfort to my overnight retreat. Overall, I can't recommend this hostel enough. With its great cleanliness, welcoming atmosphere, and exceptional staff, it exceeded all my expectations. Whether you're staying for just one night or longer, you're sure to have a wonderful experience here.

The hostel is right on the lake close to where the boats leave, so it's in a beautiful spot. The staff were friendly and helpful and my room had a good amount of space with everything I needed.

If you come by car be aware that there is not much parking space at the hostel. There is a layby on the right further up the road into the town where you are allowed to park for free, otherwise you might need to park in one of the pay and displays. It would be good to have a little more communal space for self catering visitors, as these areas were very busy without many options for finding a quiet corner to read or plan the next day's walking.

The staff were caring and helpful in an agreeable and sincere manner. The location is magnificent, situated at the forefront of Lake Windermere. I had a beautiful view of the lake from my dorm room window. The Waterhead Bus Stop is just a 3-minute walk away. Despite not being located on the main high street in Ambleside, this distance adds to its tranquility."

The sink in the dorm room was placed in an interesting spot. I found it challenging to locate a suitable place to wash used forks in the dining area.I had difficulty leaving the toilet cabin without my calf touching the edge of the toilet bowl.