The Location
The Astor Victoria Hostel is located in a nice area and in a great location for access to Victoria Train and Coach stations. It is within walking distance of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and other London attractions and the closest tube station is Pilmco, for quick and easy access to the rest. The directions provided by the hostel are good -- finding it from Victoria Station, while potentially confusing, is not difficult with the help of the instructions.
Rooms and Bathrooms
If you have heavy bags, be prepared for steep, narrow staircases to get to your room. The rooms are a fair size and open windows prevent stuffiness (although they don't do much for security) and some have views to the London Eye. There are lockers (cages) under the bunks, with locks available for hire at reception if you don't bring your own (or if your lock is too small for the giant latches). It's not the best system, as they are awkward to access and, when open, can take up the entire floor space in smaller dorms. Being cages, they aren't overly secure for valuables and chances are you won't fit all your belongings in there anyway.
The rooms are quite noisy and you can hear people walking up and down the stairs and doors banging all night. Our six-person dorm includes a sink and some have showers as well, although this is really just a stall opening directly to the rest of the room. Otherwise, bathrooms are scattered about the floors. These are small and there is no ventilation in the showers. They aren't spotlessly clean, but aren't too disgusting either.
Common Spaces
There is a kitchen in the basement and a small common area downstairs, along with pay-as-you-go internet terminals at reception as well as free wireless internet if you bring your own laptop. Breakfast is also free, but is little more than stale cereal and dry bread, so if your budget will stretch a few extra pounds, skip it for something else.
Summary
The staff are hit and miss. Some are extremely helpful, but despite a twenty-four-hour reception, some have to be sought out in the kitchen and are reluctant to interrupt their conversation to check you out and return your key deposit. Be sure to allow time for this process if, like us, you have an early morning flight to catch! Also be aware that there is a key deposit, payable on arrival in cash only, so have some British currency on hand to avoid being caught out.
As London hostels go, Astor Victoria is not bad. It is reasonably clean and secure and fine for a couple of nights, or a great place to stay if you need early morning access to Victoria Station.
— Recensione esclusiva Hostelz.com
August 2007
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