Rowardennan Youth Hostel

One line review: Nice location but cost only includes a bed, everything else, they will nickle and dime you while providing half ass service.
Plenty of amenities at this hostel, but just cause you have more doesnt mean its done right.
Hostel is beautifully located right off the Loch. Great to just hang out and watch the sunset.
Beds felt fine, but i couldnt tell if they were clean or not as the rooms were dim and the sheets were blue. I did wake up itchy, but i dunno if it was the bed or the crappy shower i took. The rooms were also stuffy as the windows did not really open. only 2 electrical outlets in the mens bunkroom for 8 people!
There were alot of amenities like i mentioned but most of them were just poorly done. I paid for dinner, breakfast and a coke. my friend ordered dinner, breakfast and tea. I got charged for the tea also and the coke. Plus my friend got charged for the tea. The receptionist seemed to be high or totally out of it. i reminded him of the coke and he was like «oh yea…». Ok whatever, im tired i didnt want to deal with this.
I went to get my dinner (had to wait 45 mins). Staff told me that they didnt have salad anymore. i told them, «i paid for the salad, can i get a substitute then?». she said no. hmm I guess this place is going to rip me off. So we walked off with the food then she told us «you cannot take that outside, we are not license to serve food outside». really, i bought the food from the hostel and im not allow to eat it outside? then another staff yelled out, «yes you can eat outside». I wanted to use the wifi, then found out I had to pay. Ok, laundry? got to pay. Towel for shower, got to pay. Pretty much if you want to do anything in this hostel, you got to pay, where these amenities are included in most hostels or just require a deposit so you dont steal their stuff. for the price of the night plus food its on par with a B&B (which will provide you better everything)
breakfast was plentiful but was half assed cooked. food was premade and kept under a heat lamp. but we still had to wait 10 – 15 mins for them to scoop food and bring it to you. food tasted bland and scone was mushy and oily.
oh yea, shower was the worst shower on the west highland way. barely a drip out of the shower head. i barely felt cleaner afterwards. door to one of the mens toilet didnt even close properly.

In terms of Youth Hostels, this place offers everything. Great staff, amazing location, stunning views and excellent facilities.
Most folks know of this place through its proximity to the West Highland Way. I first found out about it by an arrow painted on a rock as we scrambled our way next to Loch Lomond. There is a small trail just outside the door that connects to the West Highland way and will get you there in minutes.
I would say that if you were not fussed about walking the full length of this multi-​day hike, settle yourself in here at the Hostel and walk the the nearby parts of the West Highland along with the other numerous trails in the area. It is not a bad way to do it.
I arrived with 60 people for a whisky weekend and this place surprised me. They have a full shop with everything you need for a decent lunch which you can make up in the self-​catering kitchen. If you are not up for cooking for yourself, there is a cold and hot breakfast and an evening dinner served everyday. If you combine this, with the network of backpack carrying services that run up and down the West Highland way, walking this trail now seems much more pleasant.
In addition, you can grab a beer from the shop and just enjoy the fantastic evening sunsets — just bring your midge spray,
This hostel also serves as a stop for the Cruise Loch Lomond ferries that transport people up and down the loch. An excellent way to get to the Hostel and a very pleasant journey.
So, if you want to experience the Scottish landscape, Rowardennan SYHA is a great opportunity for everyone.

Coming across this place was quite nice. It is a beautiful building with a fantastic view. And it has a guest kitchen where people can make their own food.
Negatives:
The windows open just an inch. Our rooms were SOOO hot and stuffy that no one in the room slept at all. It was really quite horrendous and unacceptable.
There is NO Internet and no wifi.
The bathrooms and rooms had a damp, dingy smell.
The shop is small and the restaurant has just a few options. Those with special diets: plan ahead!
With a few changes, this place could be a real gem.