St Margaret's Hope Backpackers Hostel

For every button I press "Exceptional" for I wish it said more and more words for exceptional, because it truly was beyond my expectations in every way; beautiful, clean, comfortable bed, hot shower, nice big Smart, remote TV with Netflix, Prime, etc., gorgeous picture window onto trees, a garden and stone wall, and the big sky, very warmly welcoming, with sweet Suzanne bringing me in, day one, and seeing me off, my last day, and giving me keys, making it so easy to enter and depart. I was astounded at the perfect location, near the bay, a one-block walk, and close to a fresh-as-you-ever-had LOCAL SEAFOOD restaurant, very, very nice food and staff, and a great cafe/restaurant/bar, open 12 noon until late, Robertson's, 2 small local shops near by, the bus, just next to the bay, and the ferry a 2-mins drive away, Gills Bay to St. Margaret's Hope - perfection!, and a great hill and loop walk up and around the whole village, in an hour, as I am very slow, and a beach a short drive away for fiery pink sunsets, and the entire staff had me handing out tips, which I do not always do, but they all deserved the world. They gave me a great week's stay, and I was impressed. An easy drive to Kirkwall, the main town. I booked 4 nights and then, I booked 2 more nights after the 1st night, I was so happy there; just superb!

Ha ha, nothing not to love here: I could live there.

Never stayed in a hostel before, so it was a great surprise. It was lovely, clean, microfibre towels were a nice change. Only thing was u didn't know how to turn the heating down or off - not that it was crazy warm , just would've turned it down when I went out later.

Heating controls

Great location near the ferry, with nearby on street parking. The staff were super-friendly and helpful. The bed was extremely comfortable and the room was quiet. I slept VERY well. The hostel is attached to a hotel with a great seafood restaurant. St Margaret's Hope itself is a lovely place and the local area is astoundingly beautiful. Kirkwall is less than a half hour drive away.

Everything was great, and it was good to have a microwave and fridge, but it would have been good to have a hob for more flexibility with cooking.

For this town it was a good choice though I was not clear on what “self catering” means, my problem. Everything worked fine and the place is obviously very new. It is managed by the Murray Arms hotel and bar/restaurant which was great fun at night and the scallop chowder was nice.

Whoever stayed upstairs was banging and slamming things all day and stomping around until 1 am and up again, stomping at 7 am. This person doesn’t understand “walking”. They were banging things all night until 8 or so, very strange and irritating.

Quality accommodation, great staff, marvellous food.

Nothing

It’s right next to a very nice restaurant. It’s in a remote part of the islands, but it is well lighted, and I felt safe the whole time.

Nothing

Bed, location, good shower,

Was only the third guest, so not easy to find and there's no internet reception. Still a work in progress and will be great when the little niggles are sorted. E.g put bin in cupboard, and possibly fridge. Smaller armchair.

The facility was clean

Facility was not easily identifiable.Could have done with a room number relating to the booking.I initially went into the wrong premises above.A mini fridge would have been useful.Biggest issue was the green light above the door internally,.I had to prop the door blind to blank it out. It was like sleeping with a spotlight on!!!