HI - YHA London - London Central Hostel is the newest addition to London's hosteling network, and it shows. Modern, accessible, and highly secure, the hostel is a great place to stay if you are looking for affordable accommodation close to the heart of city. They provide free tours of the city for guests, and the sign-up sheet is right on the reception desk.
The Location
The hostel's location is great. Located on a fairly residential street, it can be quite quiet in the evening, and a sign posted in the hostel lobby reminds guests not to make excessive noise at night. There are a number of local pubs nearby, as well as corner stores and a grocery store just down the street. The hostel is a short walk from Great Portland Street Underground station, which is on three major lines and from which it is possible to quickly reach many of London's major sites.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm rooms are clean and have their own private bathroom and shower room, which are separate from each other so guests don't have to queue to use the toilet if someone is in the shower. During the summer, fans are provided, as the hostel appears to lack air conditioning and can get quite hot. The dorm rooms have decent-sized lockers but no locks, so it is advisable to bring your own. The beds are relatively comfortable and the walls are thick, so outside noise is not a problem if you are trying to sleep. There are also public bathrooms in the hall which are available to everybody in that section of the hostel. The only odd thing about this hostel is that there are no soap dispensers in the in-room bathrooms, but when we were there, the hall bathroom had a soap dispenser but lacked taps. Security in this hostel is very good, and upon check-in, guests are issued with key cards which are used to open the bedroom, kitchen and laundry rooms.
Common Spaces
The hostel has a number of welcoming common spaces, with the major one being the reception/café/bar area. There are three internet computers located here for those without their own laptops. The café serves basic food and the bar is quite well-stocked. This area also has a video-game console, and it's possible to borrow video and board games from the reception for a small deposit which is returned to you when you are finished with the game. There is also a large self-catering kitchen in the basement for those who wish to cook their own food, as well as a laundry room with a number of washers and dryers. The hostel seems to attract a variety of travelers, including some with children, and the atmosphere is a comfortable one.
Summary
In conclusion, this is a great, well-situated hostel that provides almost anything a traveler could want. The area is quiet and safe, and guests feel welcome. As it does cater to all types of travelers, those wanting a fun party hostel should look elsewhere, but that's not to say that stays here can't be enjoyable.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2009
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