This lovely hostel has a quiet location with a sunny deck with views of the river. There's a small kitchen, a cosy living area with a turf fire and the laundry has free washing machines.
Price Dorm bed €13.00-14.50 Double room €31-35 Camping €6 per person Prices are in local currency and are inclusive of all taxes.
I read the reviews on here and decided to come here thinking this place must be great! Well folks...Its not all that and more. The place itself is allright I suppose. I got a chance to clean my laundry there after two weeks of being in my ruck, they were quite smelly. However, I experienced none of those "good vibes" everyone was talking about. When I was there it was packed with a large group of loud teenagers on holiday. They were an inclusive group and not into meeting other people. They dominated the common areas. I guess this place had potential to be great, however I must have came on the wrong day. I came hoping to possibly meet other cool backpackers and maybe go see some live trad music. But alas no. The place itself is kinda small. My room was really cramped as it had 5 other people and their luggage crammed into every nook and cranny. The showers were nice and hot. Close to the cliffs of moher. Great for earthy, camping types, as there is a campground right outside. The guy who owned the place gave me a tour. The computer was locked up and unable for use the time I was there. I probably would stay here again. Hopefully there won't be a large group of inclusive teenagers when I stay there again.
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(Review ID: 6929)
beautiful town, great base, March 7, 2006
Reviewer:
rachel
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(4)
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(4)
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(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
stayed in august 2005. this hostel is spacious, clean and filled with light and good vibes. i happened to get a single bed under the huge skylight: at night, i looked out at the stars until i couldn't keep my eyes open. the town itself is in two small sections (this hostel is in the middle), and the music scene is amazing. from here it is a 1/2 hour drive (i think) to the burren, where astonishing views, prehistoric monuments, gorgeous flora and maze-like walking trails (!!) abound. guests and staff were laid back and friendly, and we would have liked to stay for another couple of nights. one word of warning - there are no ATMs in doolin, so make sure you have cash on you when you arrive!
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(Review ID: 6930)
Quite simply, I can't fault it., October 26, 2005
Reviewer:
uktrail
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n/a
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Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
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(5)
If you design an ideal hostel, this would be it. Very friendly and helpful managers always around, ideal location beside rushing river, good kitchen, sociable dining/common room with CD player and books, free laundry and internet.
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(Review ID: 6931)
Very nice hostel in beautiful location, September 7, 2005
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Anonymous
saw things this way
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(4)
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(4)
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(4)
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(4)
Stayed two nights in this hostel. It's one of the most welcoming and friendly I've stayed in - the hostel keeper, Karl, welcomed me in and gave me a grand tour, and it was easy to meet and get to know the other people staying there. Everyone was very friendly. There's a large shared kitchen, and there's a cottage-like feel to the hostel. There's free high speed Internet and cheap laundry. The bed's are pretty comfortable, too. The shower and toilet facilities on the ground floor are located more out in the open than I'm used to, but it seems to work okay. The main downside was my dorm was located right next to the common area and main door. Even when the common area quieted down for the night, the main hostel door was continually slamming all night as people came in and out so I didn't get much sleep. Strongly advise getting a room on the second floor or much further back if you can. Security is next to nil, as the rooms don't lock, the door to the common area is never locked, and all you have is a pass code for the door to the main hostel. Still, is definitely one of the better hostels and I highly recommend it. Great atmosphere and location.
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(Review ID: 6932)
Non Pareil, February 5, 2005
Reviewer:
Personne
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(5)
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(5)
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(5)
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(5)
A small, compact place, nice fire, nice varnished benches and tables (i think), beds fit for sleeping and dreaming, a life-size kitchen, comfortable distance between local drinking establishments, high cliffs and the ferry to the Inishes. Kids played legos, young men drank cider; just like home, but this time, with a roof.
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(Review ID: 6933)
The best hostel in the area!, January 11, 2004
Reviewer:
John Hyatt, Irish Herald
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(5)
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(5)
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(5)
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(5)
October 2001. this was the best place to stay in the area. The staff was great and being by the river in this wonderful little cottage was very relaxing. It was great to sit in the common room with fire going and read and talk with other travellers. All the pubs are walking distance (though this is very rural and no street lights (at the time) so very dark! don't drink too much, you might stumble into a ditch for the night. Go to McGann's for music and pub life.
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(Review ID: 6934)
A serene experience, June 18, 2003
Reviewer:
menerni@yahoo.ca
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Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
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(5)
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(5)
The time I spent here was good for my soul... The atmosphere in the hostel is warm and welcoming. You'll probably make good, like-minded friends here and go for drinks with your dorm room and/or staff. It's in a serene location and I'm not the first to have stayed in Doolin longer because of the experience of living in the Aille River Hostel. I cannot say enough about his place. There is free tea and spontaneous jam sessions in the living area. It's an amazing place. GO!
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(Review ID: 6935)
A Backpacker's Sanctuary, May 18, 2003
Reviewer:
Chris Burgon
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n/a
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Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
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(5)
I could (and have in my journal) write volumes on this hostel and what a wonderful experience I had here. A warm, quaint cottege nestled along the Aille River in Doolin, the Aille River Hostel provides a friendly (personally and economically) place to rest your head and experience the relaxed nature of Western Ireland. I met so many wonderful people from all over the world in my 3 short days here. There is a well equiped self-service kitchen with free tea. Laundry facilities are also available with FREE Laundry Powder! Extra-Clean bathrooms (thanks to guests who help it be so) with terrific showers; camping grounds with full acces to hostel amenities. If you respect the hostel and its staff you will be treated with the utmost kindness. I arrived late my first day and my bed reservation had been given away but the Manager found room for me none-the-less. If you enjoy a friendly, mellow, and diverse setting, this is the place to be. So pour yourself a cup of tea, sit down next to the crackling turf-burning fire and RELAX. You will not be disapointed!!!
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3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 6936)
Very nice, January 16, 2003
Reviewer:
Javier Soto Doval.
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Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Inside looking: 4. Nice country house. Very familiar and communal.Surroundings: 5. Doolin it's a very nice place. The hostel is besides the river. Beautiful.Dorms: 4. Big and confortable. Showers: 4. Kitchen: 2.5. Very little.Common rooms: 3. Only one, and it's also the hallway and the dinner room. Comfortable, but little, and smoke allowing :(Staff: 4. The owner is the only staff (at least in winter). Nice guy.Facilities: 3.75. Internet, linen, laundry, drying, bike hire, no curfew.Overall: 4. Nice place to stay. I've heard it's the best hostel in Doolin (but I have no experience with the others).
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(Review ID: 6937)
Great value and fab location, January 15, 2003
Reviewer:
Aoife
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saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
The hostel is open year round and has a really cosy communal area with fire in Winter time. Because it wasn't full we got a 4 bed room between 2 of us (11.50 each) but the rooms are pretty big anyhow so there's plenty of space to store your backpack etc. It's located halfway between Doolin's two villages (about a 5 min walk from each) with their nightly music sessions in the pubs. It's also a great base for exploring the area - it's only a 10 minute drive to the Cliffs of Moher and the coast drive to Ballyvaughn is specatular too. The kitchen is really well stocked and exceptionally clean. The toilets, sinks & showers (nice & warm!) are also spotless - my only gripe was the tiled floor which was pretty cold for bare feet in December - BRRR. The washing machine is free and you can help yourself to washing powder - the dryer costs 2. Definitely a hostel I would visit again.
