The Hostelz.com Review
The Globe Backpacker Hostel is an old, four-story residential building surrounded by Bed and Breakfast accommodation businesses, which can be useful if you arrive without notice and the hostel's full. Beware that reception closes at 11 p.m. and you cannot normally book in after that. It has a somewhat rundown appearance both inside and out, but don't be too put off by this -- the price is about right for what it is. Substantially discounted rates are available to those who book for a whole week -- currently at about the cost of five nights. No meals are available here but there is a kitchen, which includes an oven, where you can cook for yourself. Tea, coffee, sugar, oil, and salt are provided free -- an excellent small feature.
The Location
Plymouth is famous for being the port from which the Mayflower sailed to America, and for where Sir Francis Drake completed his game of bowls before setting off to smash the Spanish Armada.
The hostel is located about a kilometre or so from the main shopping centre, the bus station, the railway station and the popular tourist areas of the Citadel and the Barbican. During the day, there is a bus service (No. 25) from the town centre. The Barbican has many old-style buildings typical of coastal south west England and a marina of yachts and a few fishing boats. Around the Barbican there are numerous pubs (bars), eating places (don't forget to try a traditional Cornish pasty or fish and chips), and specialty shops. There are no shops in the immediate neighbourhood of the hostel but with the main centre nearby that's no great problem. The nearest bar is just a couple of blocks away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms, like the rest of the building, are tired -- the walls are painted white, which gives some brightness but everything is old and worn. Despite this, the rooms are clean, which is surely more important. Dormitories are a shade crowded, especially as all your bags have to be dumped on the floor. Unfortunately, there are no cupboards or lockers and few hooks to hang jackets. The wooden floorboards are extremely squeaky, which makes it hard on those wanting to sleep while others are moving around.
The mattresses we used and checked are comfortable and of a reasonable size but the upper bunks have no ladder access. However, they are rather low so access is not too hard, but being low means the occupant in the lower bunk cannot sit up and read or use a laptop. There's no individual lighting for each bunk. The rooms have a wash basin with running hot water, but the shared bathrooms are off the corridors -- there are some on each floor, they're clean and serve the purpose for which they are required -- though during our stay two showers seemed to be out of order.
Common Areas
At the rear of the ground floor there's a fairly large kitchen, which is well enough equipped but like everything else, far from new; it's also unlikely to cope with the demand in busy periods. Although it is self-help and guests are expected to clean up after themselves, the staff ensure it is kept clean and tidy. A washing machine and tumble dryer are also available for a moderate fee.
There is a lounge with a TV and DVD player, a dining room which is probably used more as a PC room than for eating. There are no hostel PCs available to guests but the free Wi-Fi is fast and efficient. The hostel displays small selection of the usual travel brochures and has a few books and games, but there are no maps on the walls. It's illegal to smoke indoors, of course, but smokers can go out to the rear patio to indulge. Guests are permitted to bring alcohol onto the premises.
The hostelers are a mix of long-term residents, students actively studying locally, and international travelers. While the long-terms guests are a helpful crowd, they do tend to control the kitchen and TV room.
Summary
It was an off-season time when we stayed and there were no pressures on facilities, but we have doubts for the busier periods. The somewhat rundown state of the place is a little off-putting at first, but unless this is important to you (or your partner!) it 's no reason to pass it by. The overall feeling in the hostel is generally laid back and in the tradition of backpacker hostels situated in budget buildings.
Overall, a little more effort could upgrade the whole feel of the place -- notices on local attractions, "how to get to'" info, and so on. During our stay the atmosphere was cheerful -- students studied, the residents watched TV (though one cooked a pizza from scratch), and the rest of us chatted and shared our laptops, but it was generally quiet.
You might come across online adverts for the Plymouth Backpacker Hostel at the same address. This is an old name and an old advertisement with very low rates which definitely do not apply. But we guess it's useful to maintain this advert as a "come-on."
The Location
Plymouth is famous for being the port from which the Mayflower sailed to America, and for where Sir Francis Drake completed his game of bowls before setting off to smash the Spanish Armada.
The hostel is located about a kilometre or so from the main shopping centre, the bus station, the railway station and the popular tourist areas of the Citadel and the Barbican. During the day, there is a bus service (No. 25) from the town centre. The Barbican has many old-style buildings typical of coastal south west England and a marina of yachts and a few fishing boats. Around the Barbican there are numerous pubs (bars), eating places (don't forget to try a traditional Cornish pasty or fish and chips), and specialty shops. There are no shops in the immediate neighbourhood of the hostel but with the main centre nearby that's no great problem. The nearest bar is just a couple of blocks away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms, like the rest of the building, are tired -- the walls are painted white, which gives some brightness but everything is old and worn. Despite this, the rooms are clean, which is surely more important. Dormitories are a shade crowded, especially as all your bags have to be dumped on the floor. Unfortunately, there are no cupboards or lockers and few hooks to hang jackets. The wooden floorboards are extremely squeaky, which makes it hard on those wanting to sleep while others are moving around.
The mattresses we used and checked are comfortable and of a reasonable size but the upper bunks have no ladder access. However, they are rather low so access is not too hard, but being low means the occupant in the lower bunk cannot sit up and read or use a laptop. There's no individual lighting for each bunk. The rooms have a wash basin with running hot water, but the shared bathrooms are off the corridors -- there are some on each floor, they're clean and serve the purpose for which they are required -- though during our stay two showers seemed to be out of order.
Common Areas
At the rear of the ground floor there's a fairly large kitchen, which is well enough equipped but like everything else, far from new; it's also unlikely to cope with the demand in busy periods. Although it is self-help and guests are expected to clean up after themselves, the staff ensure it is kept clean and tidy. A washing machine and tumble dryer are also available for a moderate fee.
There is a lounge with a TV and DVD player, a dining room which is probably used more as a PC room than for eating. There are no hostel PCs available to guests but the free Wi-Fi is fast and efficient. The hostel displays small selection of the usual travel brochures and has a few books and games, but there are no maps on the walls. It's illegal to smoke indoors, of course, but smokers can go out to the rear patio to indulge. Guests are permitted to bring alcohol onto the premises.
The hostelers are a mix of long-term residents, students actively studying locally, and international travelers. While the long-terms guests are a helpful crowd, they do tend to control the kitchen and TV room.
Summary
It was an off-season time when we stayed and there were no pressures on facilities, but we have doubts for the busier periods. The somewhat rundown state of the place is a little off-putting at first, but unless this is important to you (or your partner!) it 's no reason to pass it by. The overall feeling in the hostel is generally laid back and in the tradition of backpacker hostels situated in budget buildings.
Overall, a little more effort could upgrade the whole feel of the place -- notices on local attractions, "how to get to'" info, and so on. During our stay the atmosphere was cheerful -- students studied, the residents watched TV (though one cooked a pizza from scratch), and the rest of us chatted and shared our laptops, but it was generally quiet.
You might come across online adverts for the Plymouth Backpacker Hostel at the same address. This is an old name and an old advertisement with very low rates which definitely do not apply. But we guess it's useful to maintain this advert as a "come-on."
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2010
Their Description
Globe Backpackers Plymouth Details
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Globe Backpackers Plymouth Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
The double room we stayed in cost us £30. For that price we did not expect to much. However we did expect a room that was infested with bedbugs! We woke in the middle of the night covered in bugs. They were under the pillows and amongst the duvet. The bed sheet had a nice spattering of our blood! A terrible night! I informed the Manager (send him on a management course please) the next morning only to be told that they thought they cleared up that problem! — Adrian Hart (2007-02-20) This has to be the worst place to stay on earth. Disgusting rooms (both dorms and bathroom/shower), broken windows, just crap. We wanted to stay two nights initially, but upon arrival decided to leave after one night. — Christian (2006-11-23) I thought that they guy running this place was incredibly rude and in serious need of a course in customer service. The rooms are distgusting, the kitchen smelt of rotting fish, and the bathrooms had no loo roll. I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone. — niki (2006-09-11) The guy who runs the place shoudn't be there -- he is working with people all over the world and is an out and out racist. — Darren (2006-08-07) Excellent place. Lots of things to do. I like it. I recommend it to those who want to come to Plymouth, either long or short term. — Sarmad Khan (2005-08-23) Great. The people are friendly, you get all the stuff you need and there are no problems with toilets, as there are as many up as there are down. And the manager Simon is particularly very friendly and just makes sure you have a great time. — Partha (2004-12-23) I had a brilliant time here, mainly because it was a bit weird. There was not a single boring moment, and I got on very well with the couple managing the hostel. Okay, there are too few bathrooms, but, hey, if you can't wait for five minutes then you shouldn't go to a backpacker hostel. It's the people who shape the place, and Plymouth definitely gets my thumbs-up! — Pat (2004-10-12) This hostel wasn't bad, but not great either. Serious lack of bathrooms, and usually a lack of toilet paper. Staff were friendly. My room was above the TV room, so all you could hear at night was a ridiculously loud horror film. Clientele were strange-mostly "matured." — Carolyn (2004-07-31)