HI - YHA London - St Pauls Hostel

HI - YHA London - St Pauls Hostel is by far the best located hostel in London and easy walking distance from the Millennium Bridge. It is large, clean, and spacious with plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with fellow travelers. The breakfast is a good value and recommended.

The Location

London -- well, St Pauls YHA is in the middle of it all and mere steps away from St. Paul's Cathedral. Buses and taxi are the easiest ways to reach the hostel, and several bus lines stop nearby making St. Paul's an ideal jumping point for exploring as well as retiring after a long day in the city. There are several good restaurants and a few grocery markets near. Just a five-minute walk and you will be at the Millennium Bridge crossing the Thames. There is no parking, so leave the cars at home and opt for public transport.

Rooms and Bathrooms

Dorm rooms are single-sex triple bunks! Guests with limited mobility should request a low bunk during reservation. Rooms are clean, spacious, simple, and uncluttered (with large and deep in-room storage lockers that accept standard Master locks) as well as equipped with an in-room sink. Beds are clean and comfy and have additional built-in mini-storage lockers within their frames -- a nice touch. Showers and bathrooms are shared -- bathrooms are clean but cramped, while shower rooms are spacious but lack soap dishes, shelves, or hangers. While water is hot, pressure is erratic. Security is good, and the staff are vigilant, but bring your own padlocks -- this is the inner city.

Common Spaces

There is no self-service kitchen. However, the full English breakfast is quite good and worth the extra cost. Meeting other travelers is easy, be it at breakfast in the large and airy dining area or within the television lounge or computer area. The staff are also friendly and helpful but cautious as they are rather vigilant about security, which is good. The TV lounge is cozy with plush couches, but most travelers stay in their rooms if they're not out exploring. Internet is pricey, while tea is complimentary during the day.

Summary

This is best hostel in London, no doubt -- location, location, location. Oh, and the breakfast isn't bad either. With several bus lines mere seconds out the door, and an easy walk to the Millennium Bridge, St Pauls YHA provides great value for the budget minded traveler. If that's not enough, there are in-house discounts to local attractions and an insightful staff to guide you on your way.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
September 2009