Euro Hostel Glasgow

Euro Hostel is a huge (lift-accessible) hostel, with seven floors of rooms. One enormous common room serves as the TV/games lounge and eating area, but smoking is allowed here so it smells of smoke. Though most guests are gone during the day, this area perks up around dinner and is a good place to meet people. Given the size of the hostel, the guest kitchen is tiny and not cleaned often enough, closes at 10 pm, but is well stocked with utensils and appliances if you can find room to cook (grocery store right around the corner). The lounge is also where a decent complimentary breakfast is served, and smoking is banned during these hours. A smaller, second floor TV room is smoke free all day, but less social.

The hostel will hold your bags for free in a locked room if you arrive early or depart late. There is expensive Internet access at reception, but a cheaper cafe nearby. Laundry facilities are available. The popular Bar Osmosis on the ground floor is great for meeting other travelers, but the hostel is only accessible by keycard after 11 pm, so go elsewhere to meet real Glaswegians. The hostel is right on the fringe of downtown Glasgow, and close to shops, museums, monuments, restaurants, and transportation.

The single-sex rooms (of all sizes) are clean, comfortable, spacious, quiet at night, and only accessible by keycard, and include lockers, toilets, showers, and sinks. There is a mix of solo travelers and groups, but not many people stay for long periods. People of all ages and backgrounds pass through, and there is no dominant group of young backpackers like at some hostels. The hostel feels impersonal due to its large size, almost like a hotel, and large groups keep to themselves, but there are still plenty of travelers to meet if you make the effort. With close access to transportation, the hostel is a great launching point to outlying areas of Glasgow and greater Scotland.

Update: We are told the common room is now non-smoking. Yay!

Directions

From Central Station: Take the Union Street exit (by platform 1), turn right and walk down Union Street. This becomes Jamaica Street. Just before the bridge, turn left onto Clyde Street and the hostel is on the corner.

From Glasgow International Airport: Follow signs for "Exit and Buses". Take CityLink Service 905 from Stance 1 (use your student ID!), get off at "Central Station". You will be on Bothwell Street near Hope Street. Turn right on Hope Street, make a quick left onto Gordon Street, and then the first right onto Union Street. This becomes Jamaica Street. Just before the bridge, turn left onto Clyde Street and the hostel is on the corner.

From Buchanan Bus Station: Exit the main terminal "way out" and head to the left toward the big glass building (UCG cinema). You will be on Killermont/Renfrew Street. Take the second left onto Renfield Street. Continue past the train station, where it becomes Jamaica Street. Just before the bridge, turn left onto Clyde Street and the hostel is on the corner.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
May 2005