The Oxford Backpackers is not our ideal in hostel living. The facilities are good with internet, a TV, video library, a bar and cafe, and colourful murals on all the walls. And the location is superb -- just a few minutes walk from both the train and bus stops and about five minutes from the centre of town. You couldn't get much better.
However when we first arrived, there was a huge group of people smoking in the lounge and having bowls of soggy cornflakes even though it was about midday. They never seemed to move much from the lounge so we are not sure if they were just very unmotivated tourists, very tired tourists, or long-term guests who had jobs and were enjoying their day off.
The rooms are clean and non-smoking (they are in a separate section from the lounge and reception). However short term stays of just a few nights get crammed into a tiny room with bunks and saggy mattresses. Maybe they try and encourage you to book a long term room! They do offer quite good discounts for long term guests and apparently these rooms are also larger but we didn't see them. Overall it feels kind of grungy, smoky, cramped, and not terribly friendly. The smokers are reasonably nice after awhile but it is just off putting for a non-smoker.
To get here is really easy. From the bus station turn right onto George Street and go straight through the traffic lights into Hythe Bridge Street across a small bridge. The backpackers is clearly marked on the left. If you arrive at the train station turn left and walk past the Royal Oxford Hotel. The hostel is on the right hand side before the bridge.
— Informe exclusivo de Hostelz.com
April 2004
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