Clink Hostel is a great choice. It's friendly and fun without being a major party hostel. You can have fun at the bar but also get a good night's sleep. The hostel is a former courthouse and the dorms are former cells -- probably not best for claustrophobics! The hostel is clean and well managed.
The Location
The location is pretty good. King's Cross is not the best part of London but has been cleaned up. Exercise caution at night though. King's Cross is a short walk from Russell Square, which is a nicer area. King's Cross St. Pancras station is a short walk from the hostel. There are eating places and bars nearby the hostel.
Rooms and Bathrooms
There is a choice of four-, six-, eight-, ten-, and twelve-bed dorms. All dorms are mixed. There are some dorms and some private rooms with en-suites. These are tiny wet-rooms, so the whole bathroom gets wet and there is not much space to change. The shower pressure is not strong. The communal bathroom facilities are plentiful and consist of rooms of toilets and also single toilets in separate rooms. There are rooms of showers -- rooms for female and male only -- and mixed rooms with hooks for clothes. Shower rooms are very dark and gloomy.
Dorm rooms are accessed by key card. There are small lockers under the beds, so bring a large padlock. There are coat hooks in the room and an extra sink. The room we were in was very cramped with not enough room for luggage. The room (and the rest of the building) is painted brightly, but the room is still very dark -- just a tiny window high up on the wall. So the rooms are not at all cosy -- you would not want to be in your room other than to sleep. The room and bunks are rather claustrophobic. The bunks are pod style with a light above each bed.
Common Spaces
The old courtroom has been left as it was -- it functions as a bright and airy TV room. Many people use their laptops in here too. Whilst the courtroom layout gives great character, it is also not very relaxing with seats facing all different directions, like in court! It's difficult to find and get to a seat. It's not overly social in there unless you get a seat on the sofa that has been pushed in at the back of the room! There is a computer room. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hostel at a price.
In the basement there is a well equipped kitchen with seating areas in the kitchen and outside of it.This gives a nice friendly, communal atmosphere. There is a funky bar with a very fun atmosphere and cheap drinks and snacks. The bar is a great place to meet people. As there is a bar, guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol into the hostel. After the bar closes, people socialise at the tables outside the kitchen. It is a great lively atmosphere.There is a luggage room but it does not seem very secure since reception hand out the key to anyone who asks and do not escort people to the room. Be aware that check-in is not until 2 p.m.
Summary
Clink Hostel is an enjoyable place to stay short or long-term -- unless the lack of windows bothers you! It's clean and sociable but also quiet enough for when you want to relax.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
January 2009
Location/Contact
4.3 Average from 3 Ratings
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