In February 2003, the new Aviemore Bunkhouse opened its doors.
8 en-suite rooms, family rooms, linen & towels, room keys, beds made for you, free tea & coffee, internet, drying rooms for kit, laundry, and brilliant showers!
All for only 12 pounds per person.
And just next door is the charming Old Bridge Inn - the best pub in town with wood fires, real ale and excellent home-made food.
Its all on their website:
www.aviemore-bunkhouse.com
The problems with the Bunkhouse are:
No lounge, just the small communal kitchen area, which is fine if you meet in the bar, as hoped, but less good when you want quiet.
Very poor sound proofing. You can hear everything because the Architect must have been a ***. Not just doors banging but far more intimate sounds too.
The 24 hour access is good for considerate people, but after alcohol, who is considerate? The nature of Aviemore tourism at the moment is one of weekend binges, and you should hope non of these are staying in the Bunkhouse.
The Bunkhouse is at its best mid week, during quiet months or on a sole use booking. It's certainly worth checking out as the standard of the bedrooms and showers are 5 star!
In the end, like most hostels, it depends on the people who manage it. And that I cannot comment on.
