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Portree Independent Hostel – reviews, photos

The Old Post Office | The Green, IV51 9BT, Scotland
Hotel amenities
Portree Independent Hostel
4.0 of 5 stars 31 Reviews
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31 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
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Date Rating
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
2 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
“Old fashioned where my elderly Ma was treated with respect - we'll be back!!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 August 2011

You know these folk have respect for the mature backpacker and families....that's what I like about it...Yes it has it's quirks like no free wifi but still....It was my Ma's first time backpacking in her 60's and they couldn't do more for her.

The kitchen was regularly thoroughly cleaned....and was lovely - very spacious with plenty of facilities. Other normal hostel etiquette was enforced sometimes in interesting ways.....

Also you can't miss it in portree...straight off the bus, across the square and you're there...

With regards the free wifi issue - I just got used to no net. Plenty do in Portree in the summer evenings otherwise. However you can use the library close by etc etc.

Great base for visiting Skye and Lochalsh and Mattie this one is for you!!!

Jo

Room Tip: Travel outside of season.....simple..
See more room tips
  • Stayed August 2011, travelled with family
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask Erme186487 about Portree Independent Hostel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
skyehostel, Manager at Portree Independent Hostel, responded to this review
4 September 2011
Thank you Jo, glad your ma was comfortable and hopefully she'll come back with her mates!
Yes, there is life beyond the internet but for those who require access re travel planning etc the rates start at £2.50 and decrease the more time you buy. Think of it as the price of a good cup of coffee - only the coffee won't last you an hour!
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Brussels, Belgium
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“Good, clean and well equipped hostel”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 July 2011

Good hostel at perfect location. We had a very clean, and nice room, with very good beds. The kitchen is well equipped and big, the toilets and showers are clean. Unfortunately the Wifi is not for free.

I would recommend this to everybody. No bedbugs and I don't think this can be the case in this hostel.

  • Stayed July 2011, travelled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask peterlybeer about Portree Independent Hostel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
skyehostel, Manager at Portree Independent Hostel, responded to this review
4 September 2011
Ah good. Didn't see any bedbugs either! Thank you for your review.
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Chicago, Illinois
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“BEDBUGS”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 July 2011

DO NOT GO HERE!!! BEDBUGS!!!

I woke up with lots of bites on my arm after staying just one very short night.

My arm is covered on bites on one side - I've done research and its bedbugs that came from the hostel

I stayed in Room 1 in beds 9/10 which were lower level next to the wall. DO NOT STAY HERE.

Now I'm worried they came home with me.

Not only were there bugs but the overall feel of the place is dirty and unclean.

There are no secure locks on any of the dorm room doors - and the carpets is filthy and beds left for god knows how long.

DONT STAY HERE!!!!!!!

  • Stayed July 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask stephaniemcnee about Portree Independent Hostel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
skyehostel, Manager at Portree Independent Hostel, responded to this review
27 July 2011
We have no record of Stephanie complaining of bedbugs. We inspected the room and specifically the beds she mentions. There was no indication of bedbugs - they leave distinctive secretion marks and a 'sweet' smell. It is unfortunate that this reviewer chose not to raise the issue at the time.
Please compare her remarks about cleanliness with the review below!
Digital locks are fitted to all the bedrooms except the the two larger dorms - we will now fit these dorms with same.
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Vancouver, BC
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
“Great value for the price, and friendly staff”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 July 2011

This hostel is pretty standard and clean. The beds come with a liner and great heating as it does get a bit cold in the night if you leave the window open. There doesn't seem to be many washrooms at all given the number of people that the hostel can accomodate. Each washroom comes with its private own shower/toilet/sink so if someone needs to use any one of those facilities, it essentially takes one washroom away for the rest to use. It's wonderful for privacy as you can close the door and get your own toilet,sink, and shower...just that sometimes you'll end up waiting for a bathroom. I haven't had this problem fortunately and so it's not really an issue. Overall the staff have been very very helpful as they let me stay in the hostel and let me use their kitchen facilities even though I've already checked out of the hostel for the day. It's a good bang for your buck as you won't be finding anything cheaper in Portree.

  • Stayed July 2011, travelled solo
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask cyrres about Portree Independent Hostel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Toronto, Ontario
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
99 helpful votes 99 helpful votes
“Extremely Basic, better options available at same price”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 July 2011
1
person found this review helpful

This is an extremely basic hostel. The computer and wireless internet are run by a independent company, and cost 4 quid and hour. The beds are £16 per person in a 4/6/10 bed dorm room. They have about two showers per floor of the hostel. Its situated on a very busy street, so don't expect quiet. The other side of the hostel faces the bus park, so the sounds of coaches roaring up in the morning will likely wake you up regardless of where your room is situated. The rooms were relatively clean, but the bathrooms had quite a bit of mold in them, especially around the showers. There is no breakfast, but if you want coffee and toast you can pay 2.5£ and have some. There are a TON of very quaint B&Bs up the street who charge from £20-30 per person and include a full breakfast and internet. If you are travelling to portree you might be better off just arriving a bit early and walking up and down the main streets checking out the B&Bs rather than booking something ahead. This hostel should only be booked if there is nothing else available as it simply isn't worth it otherwise.

  • Stayed July 2011, travelled with friends
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask muppetx about Portree Independent Hostel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
skyehostel, Manager at Portree Independent Hostel, responded to this review
22 July 2011
We are sorry that muppetx was unhappy with everything about their stay here.
The wi-fi charge starts at £3, not £4 as stated by the reviewer, and the hourly rate reduces the more time you buy.
Tea and coffee are provided free - the full continental breakfast is offerred each morning and we ask guests to place £2.50 into an honesty-box.
The coach-park is down the hill and a block away from us, not outside the building.
We have a rolling program of replacing shower-sealants which can get unsightly during the season and we apoligise to muppet for any discomfort he/she felt.
There are indeed many pupose-built B&Bs along the road from the hostel but being on the same road they are passed by the same traffic, which can be busy during peak travel times - however we are an island village not a city or town, so please don't think Portree is plagued by traffic noise.
Please do note, Skye is extremely popular during summer months so however you choose to stay on the island, hostel, hotel or B&B, do consider booking ahead.
.
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