A Family's Adventure in Wales: How Hostels Became the Heart of Our Holiday
Standing in the kitchen of The Rocks hostel in Capel Curig, a village in Eryri national park (Snowdonia), our newest companion excitedly told us about the penguins that could be spotted on the nearby mountain. To my 11-year-old son's delight, spotting these elusive creatures was just one of many adventures we'd embarked upon during our four-day stay at The Rocks.
The Rocks had been a last-minute choice for our family holiday, but after some initial hesitation from my husband and sons about staying in a hostel, we soon found ourselves embracing the benefits of communal living. Our spacious private room was surprisingly stylish, with bright interiors, Scandi-style wooden furniture, and comfortable beds - even the luxury-loving eldest son was impressed.
As we explored Snowdonia by day, our evenings were spent relaxing at The Rocks with fellow residents. Conversations flowed easily in the communal spaces, whether over dinner, cards, or simply chatting in the shared lounge. We learned about mountain doughnuts from a couple of lads from the Midlands and gained tips on thermal gloves from an army nurse who joined us for a drink.
The hostel offered a unique blend of comfort, affordability, and community - something we'd been missing in our holidays lately. British hostelling is experiencing a quiet revival, according to Sam Dalley, founder of Independent Hostels network, with people seeking inexpensive stays that encourage mingling as part of the adventure.
Our adventures at The Rocks were filled with laughter and new friendships, proving that meeting like-minded folk while away can still be found at the heart of travel. We never did see those elusive penguins on our hike up Moel Siabod, but who knows what other adventures await us in future hostel stays?
The Rocks offers dorm beds from £36pp, private family rooms from £115.60.
Standing in the kitchen of The Rocks hostel in Capel Curig, a village in Eryri national park (Snowdonia), our newest companion excitedly told us about the penguins that could be spotted on the nearby mountain. To my 11-year-old son's delight, spotting these elusive creatures was just one of many adventures we'd embarked upon during our four-day stay at The Rocks.
The Rocks had been a last-minute choice for our family holiday, but after some initial hesitation from my husband and sons about staying in a hostel, we soon found ourselves embracing the benefits of communal living. Our spacious private room was surprisingly stylish, with bright interiors, Scandi-style wooden furniture, and comfortable beds - even the luxury-loving eldest son was impressed.
As we explored Snowdonia by day, our evenings were spent relaxing at The Rocks with fellow residents. Conversations flowed easily in the communal spaces, whether over dinner, cards, or simply chatting in the shared lounge. We learned about mountain doughnuts from a couple of lads from the Midlands and gained tips on thermal gloves from an army nurse who joined us for a drink.
The hostel offered a unique blend of comfort, affordability, and community - something we'd been missing in our holidays lately. British hostelling is experiencing a quiet revival, according to Sam Dalley, founder of Independent Hostels network, with people seeking inexpensive stays that encourage mingling as part of the adventure.
Our adventures at The Rocks were filled with laughter and new friendships, proving that meeting like-minded folk while away can still be found at the heart of travel. We never did see those elusive penguins on our hike up Moel Siabod, but who knows what other adventures await us in future hostel stays?
The Rocks offers dorm beds from £36pp, private family rooms from £115.60.
. How do we know this family really had a great time at The Rocks? Did they just pretend to be excited about their experience so the article would run? I mean, "we learned about mountain doughnuts from a couple of lads" sounds like a pretty dodgy anecdote to me 
. And what's with the army nurse who just happens to show up for a drink? Is that some kind of PR stunt? And those prices seem way too good to be true... £36pp for dorm beds? That's a steal (for a hostel, I mean). Where are these prices coming from? A reputable source or just a made-up figure? 
that you got to stay at The Rocks hostel and have such an amazing time with your fam! it's like the ultimate adventure, right? 
having those communal spaces where you can just chill and meet new ppl is everything! 
I love how it was like one big happy family in there... and who cares if you didn't spot those penguins on the hike lol! the scenery in Snowdonia must've been stunning anyway! 
plus, £36pp for a dorm bed? that's like, super affordable! 
my kinda travel vibe, def gonna have to look into The Rocks hostel for my next fam getaway 
... I mean, they have private rooms too?! And the prices are actually pretty reasonable? £36 for a dorm bed? that's like, super cheap! I need to look into this more 
I've had some of my best travel experiences in hostels, staying with like-minded folk and sharing tips on hiking trails or trying local foods. And £36pp for dorm beds is super affordable! 
. Plus, meeting a fellow traveler who's an army nurse? That's just the best 
. Who needs fancy hotels when you can stay with a bunch of strangers and make new friends by the fire? Sounds like The Rocks hostel is the perfect place to experience that "authentic" travel vibe 
️! Hostels are definitely back in the game, and I'm here for it! 
! It's awesome to see people ditching the traditional hotels and opting for a more chill, social vibe 
. It's great to hear British hostelling is back on the map – more options for budget-friendly adventures means we can all get out and explore more! 
. And don't even get me started on the "luxury-loving eldest son" who's totally gung-ho about the Scandi-style furniture 
. It was such a unique way to connect with people from all over the world.
. Like in that article, it was awesome how the family made connections with other guests at The Rocks hostel – who knows, maybe that's where they met some cool people on their hike up Moel Siabod 
?
! It's about time we prioritize community over luxury over here 
.
. The prices mentioned seem really reasonable too – £36 for a dorm bed? That's like, half the price of a hotel room! 
️
we stayed at this super cool hostel called The Rocks and it was literally the best decision ever! my hubby was skeptical at first but now he's a total convert too 
our room was so stylish and comfy and we even got to make friends with some of the other guests 
.
The prices are also super reasonable, especially for dorm beds - £36pp is a steal! 
, used to get crammed into tiny dorms with 20 other sweaty strangers 
. these new hostels are actually pretty sick (Scandi-style wooden furniture, comfy beds... I'm sold!) and it's awesome that they're making travel more affordable 
I might just have to add The Rocks to my bucket list for our next family adventure... 