Youth Hostels are well known for being in rural and remote places, up mountains, dales and peaks, beside tarns, down country roads and at the back of beyond. Whilst you can indeed find YHA Youth hostels in all of those places, you may not know that they are also fantastic for a city break.
We stayed with friends in the YHA Brighton and we couldn’t have picked a better spot. If you are looking for hostels in Brighton this one is an opportunity to tread in the footsteps of royalty as the hostel was formerly a hotel frequented by King William IV and Queen Adelaide in 1829. In the days of Regency Brighton, King William and his friends used to enjoy the Brighton air and were known for being quite a party crowd. Legend has it that when residing at the Royal Pavilion, King William used to invite acquaintances staying at local hotels to dinner with him. The YHA was part of the Regency scene and sports the white painted, pillared frontage so popular at the time. The hostel is tucked back from the sea front but with great views out to the Pier from the back.
THE VIEW FROM OUR ROOM
My children were choosing which funfair rides on the pier they wanted to go on from the window! Not all rooms would have this view as some would face the front road side so ask on booking if you want the sea view.
THE ROOM
The hostel has 51 rooms ranging from singles to dorms for 8 and ours was a family room with 2 bunkbeds and an ensuite bathroom. All the rooms here are ensuite (in a youth hostel – hurrah! #loveit).
THE BAR, RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE
We had breakfast in the hostel and for breakfast tokens they give you plastic fried eggs! If you don’t want to partake of the hostel breakfast then there are self-catering facilities.
There is a really cool bar and lounge area at the hostel and when we returned in the evening we had a few drinks and sat in the lounge whilst the kids played giant games. They do serve lunch, dinner and snacks if you want to eat in or you can cook for yourself in the self-catering kitchen. They even had a seafront cartoonist in one corner doing portraits for a few pounds.
Brighton is a great place to visit but accommodation can be expensive or you can find yourselves a good distance from the sea front. The YHA is in a fantastic position, very reasonably priced and ideal for families and groups. If it’s good enough for King William IV, then it’s got to be good enough for me.
PIN FOR LATER
Linking up with
I’ve just rediscovered hostelling too! Changed days! Very funky, welcoming and varied destinations now.
Author
It’s a great opportunity to stay in some unusual places. I have been youth hostelling since I was a teenager and it’s great to share it with my kids. Thanks for reading, happy hostelling!
This looks like a lovely hostel – the bright artwork is SO my kinda vibe! I recently stayed at one in London, and definitely think hostels are WAY more than the basic bed in a bland building that a lot of people seem to think they are! #citytripping
Author
We’ve stayed in some great youth hostels there is such a wide variety available from castles to city breaks. Thanks for reading.
I’ve always loved staying at Youth Hostels before I had kids. Never tried it with them though.. :p #CityTripping
Author
The kids really like it, they even like making their own beds! Thanks for reading.
That looks like a fabulous youth hostel! Love that all the rooms are ensuite, something that doesn’t happen all the time! #citytripping
Author
Yes we much prefer en-suite rooms, a real luxury in a youth hostel! Thanks for reading.
I keep hearing how much hostelling has changed and how great it is for families – somehow I had never considered it when booking or for somewhere like Brighton. One to bear in mind! Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Author
It’s great for groups of friends as there is plenty of communal space for the kids to hang out whilst the adults have a drink, without feeling you are disturbing other guests as you might in a hotel. Thanks for hosting #citytripping.
I love that so many hostels are family friendly. We have always preferred staying in hostels to other types of budget accommodation as is it a great way to meet other travellers. I though my hostelling days would be over once I had a child, but maybe not yet. #citytripping
This looks nothing like any of the youth hostels I’ve stayed at in the past. An en suite too, definitely worth considering! #citytripping
Ooooooooh that looks lovely and a great view. Never considered it before now #countrykidsfun
Author
YHA are great for families!
Another great Youth Hostel, what a great location too! Love it 🙂 #countrykids
Youth hostels can be a great place to stay. I love the idea of plastic eggs acting as tokens for breakfast. #CountryKids
Author
They’re great for groups of families and always a relaxed atmosphere! St Briavels definitely my favourite!
We’re visiting Brighton this weekend…you’ve given me some ideas of what to get up to! Thank you! #CountryKids
Wow what an amazing view and location! Its funny isn’t it – when I think youth hostel I think smelly backpacking teenagers, but my husband (a youth hostel advocate) tells me this isn’t what they are like. This is gorgeous and doesn’t look anything like I imagined. I should probably listen to him! #countrykids
I’d never thought about staying in a youth hostel with the kids, but this looks lovely and what a great location and view!
Author
To be honest it’s a bit more relaxing than staying in a hotel. Cottages and self catering properties are great but usually there is a minimum stay for an odd night the youth hostel is a great option.
We’re life members of the YHA, living near the lakes we tend to go to rural ones. We’ve not done a city break in one yet but knowing the set up totally agree that they are the way forward with family as you can roam around the corridors and self cater. Yay for a sea view that is awesome! #countrykids
Author
A fellow youth hostel fan! Hurrah!
What a fabulous view! I last stayed in a youth hostel when I travelled to Edinburgh many years ago and it was a beautiful old building. I keep toying with a family membership but I don’t think my husband would entertain the idea! #countrykids
Author
You can stay in the YHA hostels even if you aren’t members, so you could try it out!
I haven’t stayed in a youth hostel for years! This one looks like a great place to stay and so interesting to read that King William IV and Queen Adelaide also stayed there too 🙂 #countrykids