Portsmouth … Charming town, great for those with an interest in the sea and maritime history or underwater archaeology. It's worth the trip to see the Mary Rose and the HMS Victory. There's scuba diving at Horsea Island, where you can see the Elizabethan merchantman, but this is in only 6m.
Portsmouth & Southsea Backpackers Lodge in Portsmouth … I was in this hostel in April, or May, year 2003, and I found it to be a warm, and welcome place. Clean, Lovely kitchen, nice TV room, nice people. The owners have probably had to put up with a pile of crap from dirty, nasty, strange people and were simply put into a bad mood. I really had a nice time here, but that was a few years ago. If I were ever back in Portsmouth, I would go there again.
YHA Burley Youth Hostel in Ringwood … I had a fantastic time at Burley. We stayed in one of the Red Indian tipis, which they have in their grounds. There was lots to do. It was a great experience, not to be missed.
Portsmouth & Southsea Backpackers Lodge in Portsmouth … The hostel was not welcoming at all. The communication skills of the owners left a lot to be desired and in my view they are completely in the wrong sort of industry. Check-in was a real chore and very disorganised and a chap in front of us was made to feel very awkward due to problems with his credit card. and when we came in from sightseeing the owner forgot my friend was staying (even though he has checked him in) and tried to throw him out! There were so many dont do's that the place resembled a prison. the hostel was not as central as it made out (it's actually in Southsea). The atmosphere was totally flat and there weren't a great many people staying there (i wonder why?). The only plus point was that the place was clean but that's it, everything else was poor indeed.
Portsmouth & Southsea Backpackers Lodge in Portsmouth … I have visited over one hundred hostels this year but this one is the most strange. I was thrown out after day three for a dirty plate violation. I left my cooking plate on the sink for five minutes while I was eating tea. It was recorded on cctv by the owners, they came down and removed it, and the next encounter told me to go and threatened to ring the police. Prior to this they had fracas with the other guests. I feel sorry for them. For my part I was left homeless for four nights in the biting cold but it was far better than enduring the owners' tirade of extreme hatred and vindictiveness against all guests. Incredible -- hostelers like these owners must be barred from operating as they just bring misery to every guest.
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