London Accommodation
Everyone needs a place to lay their head, for your first night or throughout your visit. Browse our growing list of reviews and book your stay. For more information see the London Hotels page or the London Hostels page.
Smart Hyde Park Inn Hostel - Trekker's Hostel Highlights
With a very trendy red and black lobby, the initial feel of this London hostel is quite impressive. The staff member who helped me, a young lass from Australia, was super friendly and eager to show me round. Be prepared though for a labyrinth when it comes to finding your room. There are two sides to the building, with all the odd number rooms on one side and the even numbers on the other. Add to that the fact the numbers go from big to small the higher up you go, it does get a little trippy, and that was without any alcoholic stimulus.
There is enough space to bed over 200 people and the room size range from privates to 18-bed dorms. One of the nifty things that caught my eye was the fact that the bathroom lights were triggered by sensors, so you never have to fumble around trying to find a lightswitch.
Similar to the Smart Hyde Park View, there is a lack of comfy places to sit and chill. But again the location is so central - just a short stroll from either the Queensway or Bayswater stations - that you might not want to stay in at all.
Date: May 16th, 2008 |
No Comments
Olave House Hostel - Trekker's Hostel Highlights
After hearing all sorts of nasty rumors about this establishment, ranging from bedbug infestations, rats on the loose and harassment, I felt it only fair to go and see for myself. Well, I got as far as the reception desk and was met by a manager who made numerous excuses to why I could not look around finally ending with “well it’s a bit dirty at the moment”. According to the manager they are planning on changing from being listed as a hostel to more of long term housing, so this would not …
Date: May 9th, 2008 |
No Comments
Astor Museum Hostel - Trekker's Hostel Highlights
With only 89 beds, the Astor Museum is small and personal compared to most London hostels. About a 20-minute walk from Kings Cross Station, but only 5 minutes from either Holburn or Russell Square Station, there are a few options to getting here. Situated in a quiet street, you could almost miss its unassuming entrance.
Something that really appealed to me was the hop skip and jump it takes to get to the Russell Square Gardens, a fantastic place to sit on clear days with plenty of flowers and a small restaurant.
The hostel is presently under renovations that should be finished within 2008. Unfortunately, this means that the little courtyard is full of building supplies, but management promised to have it clear by summer 2008. In general the Astor Museum has a relaxing, cozy feel, with friendly staff and amazing wall art.
Date: May 2nd, 2008 |
No Comments
Clink Hostel in London - Trekker's Hostel Highlights
Greetings and salutations, fellow travelers. Over the next few weeks I hope you will join me as I explore the UK and Ireland. During this time I will be writing thumbs up or down on the numerous London hostels and others scattered throughout these regions. Due to the high number, I was unable to stay at them all so these reviews are my initial take on the vibe, the cleanliness, how friendly the staff was and all that jazz. Feel free to comment, or if there is a hostel you want to hear more about be sure to let me know.
To start with we will wander around London for a few days, deciphering the tube maps, shouldering your way through crowds and taking in the sights.
Clink Hostel
Opened July ’07, this impressive hostel is built inside a 200-year-old courthouse. Unlike most places that would have gutted the law-related history in the building, Clink has made it their own. From the court room internet café (you want to sit in the judges chair) to the soon-to-be opened “cell” rooms with heavy duty doors and all, present capacity is 400 to 500. But May 2008 they hope to have their capacity up to 650, which makes it an ideal spot for groups. Alcohol is allowed and there is a bar being built as we speak. There is no curfew, and a basic continental breakfast. The beds all have a small locker under the bed, individual lights and a nifty little locker by your head for passports and small valuables. Some of the bigger dorms have high-tech pod-style beds, which for some, could be a little claustrophobic. The halls are painted bright colors and each floor is a different color (this helps when trying to find your room).
Date: April 22nd, 2008 |
No Comments
Where to Book a London Hostel
Visiting London isn’t cheap, so staying in a hostel is a great way to stretch your travel budget. But finding the right hostel can cause a few headaches, especially with all the choices out there. There are loads of hostels to choose from, and it seems like there are almost as many websites about London hostels, too. Some of them aren’t worth your time, but to find the one you like best you’ve really got to try them all out at least a bit to find the one that suits you.
Many of the hostel …
Date: December 11th, 2007 |
No Comments
Smart Hyde Park View Hostel - Trekker's Hostel Highlights
Smart Backpackers have 3 hostels in London. Their newest, Smart Hyde Park View, is located near their flagship hostel, Smart Hyde Park Inn, in the bustling area of Bayswater just a skip and a jump from Hyde Park itself. The name on the building may seem confusing as it says “Craven Gardens Hotel,” but don’t be confused because it is in fact the hostel.
Opened just 3 years ago, this London hostel has around 300 beds, all rooms have en-suites, and there is a large common room complete with jukebox and pool table. In the lobby area there is a 24-hour bar, but the one thing it is missing is a kitchen. There is a microwave and a kettle, but if you want to make a full dinner you have to head over to the flagship about a 10-minute walk down the road.
Date: May 13th, 2008 |
No Comments
YHA - St. Pancras - Trekker's Hostel Highlights
Located pretty much opposite Kings Cross Station and right next to an Irish Pub, the YHA St. Pancras (Youth Hostel Association) is in a prime location. However, even with the bonus of most rooms being en-suite there is not much vibe in the place and management seemed a little too business like. Perhaps that is just the trend with certain chain hostels.
This is one of the more convenient London hostels for those blowing through town because it’s close to many important transportation links, but if this doesn’t describe you it’s possible you’ll be happier elsewhere. In General, YHA hostels tend to focus on groups and not always the best stop for young, adventuring backpackers. But then again it is located next door to an Irish Pub.
To book check out the YHA - St. Pancras hostel.
Date: May 6th, 2008 |
No Comments
Generator Hostel in London - Trekker's Hostel Highlights
Prepare for a sensory overload when you enter this establishment. This is the biggest hostel I have ever visited, with enough space to bed over 800 people. All the floors and most of the walls are covered in stainless steel with the non-slip tread, there are neon blue and red lights through-out and security at the door, so this flashy place definitely goes for the party hostel feel.
If you are interested in this sort of an environment while traveling then you will love the full bar with happy hour, pool tables, travel shop and £5 dinners including a pint! There are daily events and parties at this London hostel, including the “Hard Man” competition on Friday nights, where the boys vie for the honor of being the buffest guy at the hostel and the girls get to swoon … or laugh.
Date: April 29th, 2008 |
No Comments
New YHA Hostel in London
The Youth Hostel Association, which is a registered charity that has around 200 hostels throughout England and Wales that are open to everybody, is opening a brand new £4.3million hostel in central London on 6 February, joining several other London hostels.
The new facility is on Bolsover Street a few hundred metres north of Oxford Street close to Great Portland Street, and has en-suite, private bedrooms, disabled access, a luggage store, internet access, laundry facilities and a café/bar open from 7am till late. Its open 365 days a year and has 24 hour reception facilities.
Prices are from £18.95 adult,
Date: January 31st, 2008 |
No Comments
£19 London Hotel Rooms
Hotel chain Travelodge have a sale on at the moment where they’re offering 250,000 rooms for £19. They are for stays between 16 December - 20 January 2008 and need to be booked by 1 December.
Travelodge have a number of locations in the London area including Liverpool Street, City Road, Covent Garden, Farringdon, Kings Cross, Marylebone, Docklands, Battersea and London City Airport. If you’re looking for a central London hotel over the Christmas period, this is probably the best value deal that you will find.
Date: November 12th, 2007 |
1 comment
