Bala Backpackers

This a very bizarre place. We were planning on camping but after a day of cycling in the pouring rain we decided to stay somewhere where we could dry off properly and have a bed for the night.
There are signs on the window directing you to one doorbell, and if nobody answers that you are supposed to try another one around the corner (which we later found out is a remote doorbell connecting to the owner's house). After trying both several times we rang the phone number and left a message before going wandering around Bala while we waited for them to ring us back. They never did so we went back, still no answer to either doorbell but someone answered the phone this time and the owner came across the street to meet us. She was very dismissive of our failed attempts to get hold of her, and altogether a bit strange. We were shown somewhere to keep our bikes and dry our things, and there was a radiator and fan, so they had dried out by the morning, which was good. We were then shown round the hostel, which is nice and clean and well decorated, and has a decent well-equipped kitchen. We were given a double room at the top, but shortly after we had started to get settled we were told there was a mistake and the room had already been sold for the night and we had to move to another room with 4 single beds (we did get this to ourselves but there are no locks on the doors, only on the front door). Having finally settled we were greeted by more signs than I have ever seen in my life... I can't remember them all but there were signs about mopping up water from the shower, how to sleep in your bed, the amount of time you are allowed to use the gas hob in the kitchen per day and even how much oil you are allowed to use while frying things (no more than one teaspoon!). While we were being shown around she pointed to one or two spots of oil on the hob and told the guy that was cooking that she hoped he was going to clean that up! It was very unnecessary and embarrassing. With all the hundreds of notices about cleaning after yourself it seemed a bit like they can't be bothered to clean the place themselves. There is CCTV too so you really feel like you are being watched like some naughty child, and I have to confess I felt like behaving like one just because there were so ridiculously many rules to break. It also transpired that this is a Christian place with various signs about enjoying the creation, a rather large proportion of religious literature amongst the books, and bibles by every bed. I guess this wouldn't bother everyone but we found it rather strange.
It was a pretty expensive place too, we were charged £50 for the night (2 people) plus a £10 deposit and we had to pay £1.50 for a tiny threadbare towel, yet we were treated as if she was doing us a favour, which was very weird.
To be honest I wouldn't recommend this place for the price, but it is as far as I know the only hostel in Bala.
TL;DR Nice and clean hostel but rather expensive and lots of overbearing signs all over the place. Owner rather odd.

I spend a great deal of time using hotels / hostels for work and/or pleasure (50+ days per year). I have never stopped in such a bizarre place as this.

We were part of a stag party using 4 dorms at the hotel for the 18 of us. It was great that we could all stop together in one place. For a hostel with 4 sharing and a floor between you and the bathroom / toilets, our £32 stay was pricey - but we were made to feel like we were doing the owner a favour by staying.

We had to endure a "briefing" where we were told what we could or couldn't do and the times we had to do everything by (including the rather ridiculous stag do 00.30 curfew). As already mentioned on this site, the rules and "guidance" are there in abundance which as a 40+ year old traveller is a little annoying. The beds were ok, but having to use the rather bizarre bed sock was odd. Finally having to wait for our breakfast bap until a set time, collecting your own laundry and being inspected before you were allowed your £10 deposit back had the feel of some moral crusade rather than the height of the service industry.

I would do anything to avoid stopping here again - really odd....

Our perception was that our staying at the hostel was something of an inconvenience to the hostel runner. Breakfast left something to be desired for a place targeted at an active crowd. Would not stay here unless you really like being ordered around by signs which are plastered on every wall - if that's your thing then you are in for an absolute treat.

I'm a bit surprised about the other reviews. I understand the owner is not the most welcoming person, but she has the merit of giving Bala a good value for money hostel option. It's very clean and functional, but of course it is a hostel so don't expect a palace. I paid £21 for a night and it was worth it.
Other reviewers are mentioning lots of notes everywhere, this is true but it's only because the owner is managing a Café further down the road during the day so she can't explain everything to the new comers. But at least everything is clear.
Anyway, we were happy to find this place because all the other places on Booking were above £150 a night..!

I have stayed here for several weekends a year over the last 5+ years. The hostel is clean with comfortable beds and the facilities are good. Great value for money and location is good for pubs and restaurants all within easy walking distance.
I haven't had a problem at all with the owner, just be polite!

Arrived to a very patronising greeting leading onto a military style tour of the hostel which felt more like a camp. With more signs than a museum telling you how to do everything from lay in your bed to mop the floor it was a surreal experience. If you like eating your meals in the dark then stay here, as the light switch for the dining room was hidden in a cupboard which the owner was all to happy to turn on for us about 2 hours after night fall. I was very annoyed that all the beds had a bible next to them apart from mine, this made me feel excluded. Don't be fooled by the 4 star rating on the outside, you'll find it was lucky to receive the 3 star award hung up inside. Won't be back here in a hurry.

Great little place . We stayed 1 night on our way to Barmouth recently and stella the owner made us feel very welcome. Had the room to ourselves. It was lovely and warm too. Looked like a brand new kitchen and upstairs had recently been refurbed. Will deffo stay again when we return in febuary on our way to Barmouth.

The owner was very accommodating and her communication was excellent, she allowed us to book in last minute and saved us a unpleasant time camping in the rain. Shared facilities are as you would expect in a hostel. The room was very spacious, clean, quiet and comfy beds.