YHA Manchester Youth Hostel

YHA Manchester Youth Hostel is very easy to find -- if you come on a train from the north, you pass by it as you pull into the central train station.

The halls are like hotel rooms and the doors lock automatically, so it's hard to get beyond the cold, generic feel up in the dorm room area. The hostel is spotless throughout, despite its large size. The common room has video games (unfortunately, no Dance Dance Fever) and pool tables, but few chairs/sofas for hanging out.

The four-bedroom dorms are all en-suite, although the bathroom is tiny and reminds you of an airline loo. The beds aren't crammed in the rooms, so there is plenty of space. Sheets are included. There is a closet area with hangers and cubbies, as well as several lockers (bring your own lock).

The free, cafeteria style breakfast is delicious, huge, and unlimited (with free coffee/tea/juice). The self-catering kitchen is clean but tiny and there's hardly any refrigerator room for personal items, so don't bring anything you won't consume that night. Dinner is also available for purchase, along with beer and wine at the front desk (they request you consume the alcohol in the dining room, although this seems difficult to enforce).

There's one computer terminal for internet access (pay as you go) for the entire hostel, so head to the gorgeous Central Library to sign up for a free thirty-minute session as a guest (no library card needed). The hostel isn't located near many amenities -- a few bars/restaurants, but no grocery stores/markets (get supplies downtown first). Although the surrounding streets are well-lit, there aren't many people out and about, so walk with a group or grab a taxi. There's twenty-four-hour access to the hostel with no lock-out periods.

This hostel seems to cater to groups (and they even do meetings there), so although the staff is friendly, you won't find them organizing pub crawls. The staff is plentiful, knowledgeable, and armed with maps, so don't hesitate to consult them.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review