YHA (England and Wales) has triumphed at the 2015 British Youth Travel Awards (BYTA), fighting off stiff competition to win the title of Best Accommodation for YHA Cardiff Central and Outstanding Achievement.

The awards, which are co-ordinated by the British Educational Travel Association (BETA), celebrate the crème de la crème of the British youth, student and educational travel Industry, are a much sought after accolade.

The recent BYTA award wins mark the end of a stellar year for the 85-year old Youth Hostelling charity, having had its best ever year for sales as well as scooping a total of 11 national awards, including its first ever 5-star rating for YHA Cardiff Central.

YHA's revenue figures are being attributed to the network's £33 million capital investment programme and award winning marketing campaigns, which have combined to establish YHA with a new generation of travellers, adventure-seekers and holiday makers.

Sales and Marketing Director of YHA (England and Wales) Joe Lynch said: “The capital investment programme at YHA has left the network virtually unrecognisable and key to dispelling myths about Youth Hostels is getting people through the door to see how fantastic they are and we have done that. We are re-engaging with young people turning them onto us with our great interior design, fantastic locations and value for money accommodation.  The BYTA awards are a tremendous boost for the organisation and something we are all very proud of and will continue to build on in 2016 and beyond."

James Ryan, Manager of YHA Cardiff Central who attended the prestigious BYTA awards ceremony added: “At the BYTA awards we had a small degree of confidence on the back of our 5 star rating we'd received from Visit Wales, however to win was absolutely amazing and we had to keep pinching ourselves for the rest of the evening once it was announced. It's a real team achievement.”

Formerly a three star Mercure Lodge hotel, YHA Cardiff Central boasts en suites in every room, conference facilities, a licensed restaurant and a self-catering kitchen. There is also free Wi-Fi throughout the building, a secure luggage store, free onsite parking for cars and coaches, and conferencing facilities available for private hire. Prices at YHA Cardiff Central start from just £16 per night.

The hostel's upper floor has retained the premium bedrooms of the former hotel. Premium rooms feature Queen-size beds and TVs, which are targeted at the weekday corporate and weekend travel market and city breakers looking for comfortable, welcoming, low cost, centrally-located accommodation.

James added: “The Youth Hostel has been a great success from day one. It has the wow factor for all customers and blows people away when they walk through the door. It is a world class facility offering next generation Youth Hostel accommodation that goes above and beyond customers' expectations.”

For more information about YHA (England and Wales), or to make a booking, please visit

www.yha.org.uk