News / Islesburgh hostel’s the best in the world
THE LERWICK youth hostel has been named the best in the world for 2011 at a ceremony held by Hostelling International in Vienna on Tuesday night.
Islesburgh Youth Hostel manager Dale Smith accepted the award, which was gioven to the hostel with the highest overall customer rating on the organisation’s website www.hihostels.com.
The Shetland hostel won against 4,000 other hostels in 90 countries across the world.
Mr Smith was thrilled to accept the honour, which he dedicated to all the staff at Islesburgh.
“You can have a great building, but if you don’t have great staff, you are not going to achieve anything,” he said.
“This award is recognition of the hard work and exceptional customer care our staff deliver day in day out, as well as the excellent facilities we have at the hostel. This is certainly a welcome Christmas present for everyone at Islesburgh.”
The latest accolade follows a successful 2010 when it topped the 2010 Hostelling International poll in Europe for customer satisfaction, coming second worldwide by a mere one per cent.
The 64 bed hostel attracts more than 4,000 visitors a year from around the world and is described by HI as a “beautiful grand mansion house with fabulous views” with “friendly and efficient staff” and “excellent facilities”.
Overall, Islesburgh House Hostel scored 98 per cent for the friendliness of its staff, 96 per centfor efficiency of service, 97 per cent for cleanliness, 97 per cent for security and 96 per cent for location.
On the customer review section of the HI site, Stephen from England said of the Islesburgh hostel: “Probably one of, if not the best hostel I have stayed in, great experience, and superb staff, thank you very much for a great stay.”
Lyn from Australia said: “We loved staying in this hostel. It was perfect for our needs and the building is beautiful. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. We had a fantastic stay on the Shetlands, the weather was superb. Would definitely stay here again”.
The hostel is owned by Shetland Islands Council, whose executive manager for sport and leisure, Neil Watt, said: “It is wonderful to know that travellers from all over the world have such a positive experience when they stay in Shetland and this award will no doubt encourage more people to visit.
“Everyone at Islesburgh should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. You couldn’t ask for better”.
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