Argyll Backpackers Ltd
4.9 out of 5
175 reviews
4.7 location
5 staff/service
5 cleanliness
4.8 facilities
Guest from Helensburgh
27th June, 2025
5.0 of 5
A last minute decision to stay over before a morning ferry from Kennacraig, but a decision I’m glad i made! On arriving I received a very warm and friendly welcome from Pam who showed me around and explained all the facilities. I was staying in the Iona room which was clean and comfortable, and had an en-suite with shower. There was a large common room with TV, DVD, board games, and even a couple of guitars! The well equipped kitchen also had a few breakfast basics (cereals, bread, milk etc) provided complimentary. There’s a lovely beach across the road, private parking available at the property and even a fire pit near the river. With only a 20 minute drive in the morning to Kennacraig I felt refreshed and ready to go for my day ahead. Would definitely return again if I was in the area or using the ferry.
Ratings
Owner Response
Thanks for your 5* review and comments...they are very welcome and also helpful for potential guests. Hope your Islay trip went well and maybe see you again in the near future. Pam
Guest from Lochgilphead
12th June, 2025
5.0 of 5
No comment submitted.
Ratings
Owner Response
Hi, thanks for your 5* review, always appreciated.
Guest from Bristol
9th June, 2025
4.0 of 5
Clean and utility driven hostel. It functions as a convenient place to stay. Pam was very chatty and welcoming. The hostel room was very cramped for a double and should only have had bunks. The seats in the lounge were uncomfortable and could do with updating. The outside space was rather dull, although functional and extremely low maintenance, it could have had some greenery.
Ratings
Owner Response
Hi, thanks for your 4* review and comments/tips, all are welcome, good and not so good. I have responded as per below. Re: 'Comments about this property'; All ensuite bedrooms in the main hostel are just that, bed rooms, but with adequate space for most travellers, and their overnight luggage when stored under bed (the usual practice for hostels), along with hooks, shelf spaces and chair (no chair in 'Jura'). Your room ('Bute') also has a very large (1/4 the size of a double bed) pull out drawer under the bed. I'm afraid due to the nature of the business, we do not provide hotel sized rooms, but do provide practical, functional 'private rooms' to cover all party sizes, be it a couple in a double or twin; family of 3 in a double with single above; or friends/groups in 4 or 6 bedded rooms, as well as 'solo' travellers. On the 1st floor though, within the fully contained 'Wee Snug', there is a larger double bedroom, with bed side tables either side of the bed, 2x wardrobe space, 2x chest of drawers and dressing-table. The WC/shower-room is shared (still quite a common practice in hostels), with the adjacent twin room (not in bunks); and also has a shared self-catering kitchen, lounge/diner. This double room was available at only £5 more per night (again with self-make basic hostel breakfast), but you did not book it. The 5x couches in the main lounge were purposely sourced for simplicity/style/ease of cleaning and purchased March 2020, but due to Covid, were not actually used till August 2020 and then hardly at all till we could re-open properly post-Covid nearly a year later, so they are not due for updating, or uncomfortable, but proved very practical for the space/use and layout. Our outside space is functional, with carpark and bike shelter, as well as space for guest's kayaks...and has to remain low-maintenance due to my time being prioritised with all hostel and office duties (average being a 14hr day). I would love to have grass and flowers, but there is so much 'greenery' on 3 sides of us and Loch Fyne with beach in front of us, what we do have more than makes up for that. Re: Tips for other travellers; If a larger double room is preferred...check out 'Luing' in the 'Wee Snug'. Hope the rest of your cycling trip goes well, and maybe see you again...for 'Luing' though. Pam
Guest from Hereford
3rd June, 2025
5.0 of 5
4th visit for me , And will return again at some point , No faults - everything good And I wish every success for this business
Ratings
Owner Response
Hi, thanks for your 5* review and lovely comments and tips. Always good to get feedback from guests. See you again for a 5th visit. Pam