The Hostelz.com Review
Astor Hyde Park is a very well located hostel, close to three tube stations and several bus routes. It's a new addition to the Astor family, and as such, some of the common rooms are undergoing renovations. The hostel should be completed by the end of the year, and will then be able to offer the extra services it's currently lacking.
The Location
The hostel is located in the posh South Kensington neighbourhood, a three-minute walk away from Hyde Park, and ten-minute walk from Gloucester Road, South Kensington, or High Street Kensington tube stations. From Gloucester Road tube station, go straight onto Gloucester Road (on your left-hand side). Turn right onto Queen's Gate Terrace, not to be confused with Queen's Gate Gardens which is a roundabout street. Turn left onto Queen's Gate, the hostel is on the right. From South Kensington tube station, walk along the Museum's Tunnel and exit on Exhibition Road. Turn left onto this road, then left into Museum Lane and right onto Queen's Gate. The hostel is on the right, about three blocks up the street. From High Street Kensington tube station, turn right onto Kensington High Street. Keep going straight for about ten minutes, then turn right onto Queen's Gate. The hostel is on your left.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are new and spacious, and the beds comfortable. They come in four- to ten-bed mixed dorms, and have linen included. Key-card access makes rooms very safe, but good luck to those on the top floors -- the stairs are seemingly endless!
Each bed has a large drawer under it where you can lock up your backpack. All rooms have en-suite (in the room) bathrooms, which is convenient but gets very busy in the morning when everyone wants to shower at the same time, so be prepared to wait for it! Clean shower with good temperature and pressure.
Common Spaces
The hostel has a large self-catering kitchen downstairs, along with a large dining hall and common area with a TV. Another common room with internet access will soon be added to the main floor near the reception (Wi-Fi is available now). The kitchen has excellent equipment and is kept relatively clean. The dining area with tables is good to meet fellow travelers, especially in the morning when breakfast is provided.
The hostel doesn't have a crazy party atmosphere, and no standing/drinking/smoking is allowed out front because the neighbourhood restrictions. It does make up for it though with organized social outings like pub crawls. The twenty-four-hour reception is convenient and the staff is young and friendly. A luggage room is available, and laundry facilities should be setup shortly.
Summary
Overall, this hostel is well worth it. It's conveniently located close to three central tube stations, is clean and well-maintained, and when the renovations are finished, it will offer everything a backpacker could want!
The Location
The hostel is located in the posh South Kensington neighbourhood, a three-minute walk away from Hyde Park, and ten-minute walk from Gloucester Road, South Kensington, or High Street Kensington tube stations. From Gloucester Road tube station, go straight onto Gloucester Road (on your left-hand side). Turn right onto Queen's Gate Terrace, not to be confused with Queen's Gate Gardens which is a roundabout street. Turn left onto Queen's Gate, the hostel is on the right. From South Kensington tube station, walk along the Museum's Tunnel and exit on Exhibition Road. Turn left onto this road, then left into Museum Lane and right onto Queen's Gate. The hostel is on the right, about three blocks up the street. From High Street Kensington tube station, turn right onto Kensington High Street. Keep going straight for about ten minutes, then turn right onto Queen's Gate. The hostel is on your left.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are new and spacious, and the beds comfortable. They come in four- to ten-bed mixed dorms, and have linen included. Key-card access makes rooms very safe, but good luck to those on the top floors -- the stairs are seemingly endless!
Each bed has a large drawer under it where you can lock up your backpack. All rooms have en-suite (in the room) bathrooms, which is convenient but gets very busy in the morning when everyone wants to shower at the same time, so be prepared to wait for it! Clean shower with good temperature and pressure.
Common Spaces
The hostel has a large self-catering kitchen downstairs, along with a large dining hall and common area with a TV. Another common room with internet access will soon be added to the main floor near the reception (Wi-Fi is available now). The kitchen has excellent equipment and is kept relatively clean. The dining area with tables is good to meet fellow travelers, especially in the morning when breakfast is provided.
The hostel doesn't have a crazy party atmosphere, and no standing/drinking/smoking is allowed out front because the neighbourhood restrictions. It does make up for it though with organized social outings like pub crawls. The twenty-four-hour reception is convenient and the staff is young and friendly. A luggage room is available, and laundry facilities should be setup shortly.
Summary
Overall, this hostel is well worth it. It's conveniently located close to three central tube stations, is clean and well-maintained, and when the renovations are finished, it will offer everything a backpacker could want!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2008
Their Description
Astor Hyde Park Details
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Astor Hyde Park Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Well-maintained, clean, and good location. Overall, the hostel is well maintained. The location is clean and accessible and the staff are friendly. It is a chain hostel however, so you will have to expect the variables that come with that. I am sure others had different experiences, however when I stayed there for a few days, everyone seemed to stick to their own in an almost high school-like fashion. Unfortunately, it wasn't the most amiable place for me. Computers were slow at times and breakfast was basic. Otherwise, this is just nit-picking considering you're there to travel. Decent place. — Steve , Canadian (2011-05-13) Queen's Gate Great location for a flat! By the Royal Albert Hall and near the tube. — Juanita , Philippines (2010-01-04) Great hostel, friendly and helpful staff, nice small community feel. This was a good hostel, I was happy with my booking. I called and was placed in a long-term stay room of only three other girls, so it was a small bunch. Not too much noise or anything. The building is a nice, historic building, the windows opened in my room, which was really important to me. The staff was really friendly and helpful. They knew the city well and were able to answer almost all of my questions. One thing though, there's no elevator! The stairs are a huge pain in the butt, but it was a workout for sure! Tall ceilings too, so expect extra walking. Breakfast was included, so that was good. Very basic, sometimes I'd skip it because it wasn't worth waking up for, but it was basic and if you're hungry it'll do the trick. Free Wi-Fi was a huge plus. no difficulties connecting unlike at other hostels I've been to, all good. Computers available for internet. Kitchen. This hostel had everything. It was right at Hyde Park, which is a gorgeous park. Very central. Excellent value. I'd definitely stay here again and I recommend it. The people are nice. Some hostel workers at other places are jerks and seem to hate their jobs, but these people seemed happy. Adds to the overall warm and fuzzy feeling of the place. — Tina , Canadian (2009-05-10)