Astor Hyde Park

Astor Hyde Park is a very well located hostel, close to three tube stations and several bus routes. It's a new addition to the Astor family, and as such, some of the common rooms are undergoing renovations. The hostel should be completed by the end of the year, and will then be able to offer the extra services it's currently lacking.

The Location

The hostel is located in the posh South Kensington neighbourhood, a three-minute walk away from Hyde Park, and ten-minute walk from Gloucester Road, South Kensington, or High Street Kensington tube stations. From Gloucester Road tube station, go straight onto Gloucester Road (on your left-hand side). Turn right onto Queen's Gate Terrace, not to be confused with Queen's Gate Gardens which is a roundabout street. Turn left onto Queen's Gate, the hostel is on the right. From South Kensington tube station, walk along the Museum's Tunnel and exit on Exhibition Road. Turn left onto this road, then left into Museum Lane and right onto Queen's Gate. The hostel is on the right, about three blocks up the street. From High Street Kensington tube station, turn right onto Kensington High Street. Keep going straight for about ten minutes, then turn right onto Queen's Gate. The hostel is on your left.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The rooms are new and spacious, and the beds comfortable. They come in four- to ten-bed mixed dorms, and have linen included. Key-card access makes rooms very safe, but good luck to those on the top floors -- the stairs are seemingly endless!

Each bed has a large drawer under it where you can lock up your backpack. All rooms have en-suite (in the room) bathrooms, which is convenient but gets very busy in the morning when everyone wants to shower at the same time, so be prepared to wait for it! Clean shower with good temperature and pressure.

Common Spaces

The hostel has a large self-catering kitchen downstairs, along with a large dining hall and common area with a TV. Another common room with internet access will soon be added to the main floor near the reception (Wi-Fi is available now). The kitchen has excellent equipment and is kept relatively clean. The dining area with tables is good to meet fellow travelers, especially in the morning when breakfast is provided.

The hostel doesn't have a crazy party atmosphere, and no standing/drinking/smoking is allowed out front because the neighbourhood restrictions. It does make up for it though with organized social outings like pub crawls. The twenty-four-hour reception is convenient and the staff is young and friendly. A luggage room is available, and laundry facilities should be setup shortly.

Summary

Overall, this hostel is well worth it. It's conveniently located close to three central tube stations, is clean and well-maintained, and when the renovations are finished, it will offer everything a backpacker could want!

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
November 2008