Editor Pick
Eastgate Backpackers Hostel
- June 19, 2002
- Rated 4 of 5 by
kpvincent from Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This was a basic independent hostel, on the upper two floors of a townhouse on the main pedestrian street in Inverness. It wasn't classy, but everything there was reliable--for example, the showers were private, gave consistent hot and cold water when expected, and so on, which is a nice change from some hostels. There was a nice big kitchen with storage space in both the cabinets and the fridges, and all the necessary appliances. And they even offered free tea and coffee.
We stayed in a room with six beds, and there was ample space for everyone to spread their stuff out, do sit-ups and have discussions about linguistics and phonetics (though this wasn't required). All rooms appeared to be single sex.
The common room, upon first appearances, was a bit of a spartan affair. A couple couches, a TV, 3 cramped tables. But add some World Cup action, and one stoner with an ample supply of black gold, and it could be a bit livelier. There has been a lot of debate lately about decriminalizing hash, but it was still quite amazing to watch a guy roll up joint after joint in plain view of the entire room. Inverness, the Little Amsterdam.
In summary, the hostel was pretty good, and I'll definitely stay there again the next time I go to Inverness. It was cheap (in the good way), mellow, and in a great location, just down the street from the tourist information centre.
Reception is open 8am-11pm, although there is no curfew, and beds are around £10.
From journal There's More to Inverness than Nessie