The Queens Arms Hotel Acomb

Just returned from a great weekend at nine banks youth hostel . It was a surprise 60th birthday and the accomodation was comfortable , welcoming and private . There was ample rooms mostly en-suite for 19 people to have privacy with their families. Kitchen was compact but more than adequate and very well stocked with utensils for large groups . Drying room and dehumidifier worked efficiently and outside space with fire pit was superb . Short and longer walks available from door step with excellent cycling on quiet open roads available. My daughter ( party organiser ) informs me that the owners were most helpful and relaxed . They gave clear instructions to help us park a large number of cars / vehicles . Dogs loved the outside enclosed and secure space . Many thanks - a birthday to remember

An immaculate hostel in an old stone cottage tucked away in a beautiful North Pennine valley. For those who like to get away from it all Ninebanks cannot be beaten. We loved our stay.

This was so bad we did not stay and went home a day early. The room was located above a seedy looking pub which looked as if it had not be decorated for many years. The room was approached by a dingy staircase with a brown nylon carpet which did not look clean. The bedroom was dated but the bed looked clean and firm with plenty of towels. The shower had black mildew in the grouting and was in serious need of decoration and modernisation. The final straw was the toilet which would only flush if we climbed on the seat and pulled the chain from the top. This was not a Victorian cast iron toilet. It was circa 1960s plastic and shabby. When I asked about breakfast I was told that they hadn't done food since the pandemic. We booked a hotel in Hexham and all the documentation said Hexham but it is in Acomb which is 4 miles from Hexham.