Birmingham Central Backpackers

Birmingham Central Backpackers hostel is a fairly decent choice for Birmingham. Its in a central location, not too expensive although can be a little messy and loud.

The Location

It is located sort of close to Moor Street and New Street stations. First time can be a little confusing walking around the Bullring shopping centre and walking under the railway line but if you follow Digbeth High Road you can't not find it. It is close enough to the major sights in central Birmingham and the stations make it easy to travel further afield.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The dorm rooms are fairly basic and there are a range of sizes - each with 6 or 8 in bunk beds - some also have ensuites but even if a 6-bed room is booked it is not uncommon to end up in a 8-bed. The ensuite and non-ensuite bathrooms are kept clean although the water pressure can be low and take a while to warm up first thing in the morning.

The locks on the doors can be a little temperamental. Getting in is not too much of a problem but getting out in the morning when the lock is jammed can be infuriating.

Common Spaces

The hostel is spread across two buildings. In the main hostel (58 Milk Street) there is a large common lounge with free wifi, a bar and also tables and chairs for breakfast. The breakfast is the usual basic range of toast and jam, tea and coffee and also a range of fresh fruit.

The hostel will store luggage after checkout if necessary. Hostelers seem to be a mix of international travellers seeing more of the west Midlands and foreign students coming to study at Aston University, University of Birmingham, the University of Central England or one of the colleges - so the common room can be a little rowdy laster into the evening and this may spill into being noisy in the dorm rooms.

Summary

The hostel is basic and its good location and cheap price make up for some of its weaker points. Its a good choice for anyone staying in Birmingham.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2007