I thought it was a good hostel to stay at since there were a few free amenities that weren't an…read moreoption at the other hostel we stayed at in London. I really appreciated the free umbrellas available in the check-in area. Took in a show and had to catch a bus and I was glad we were able to use these during the walk. Another pro were the free storage rooms to hold the bags until we could check in at 2PM. Once the rooms were opened the clerks would bring the bags to the room, which was great since there are no lifts and the stairs can be a daunting climb if the bags are heavy. Also, I liked the lounge area and the dining area. Both were very open and welcoming. This place definitely promoted getting together with other hostelers. About this place. It used to be a hospital during the second World War and would house casualties and the infirm. I can only imagine how it must have been with all the stairs running up and down to each of the rooms. It's a pretty cool hostel now though. Found the rates to be slightly higher than other hostels, but it didn't stop me from staying here. It was comfortable and clean and rooms were adequate.

Decent, could be improved very easily. First off there are no curtains on the beds which always…read moredrives me crazy because it's a problem that could be solved with very little money or effort and is a universal crowd pleaser at hostels. Secondly, there were no events on the night I arrived, which was a Monday. Not necessarily expecting or wanting a banger but they could easily throw together a movie night or something. More importantly it was bizarrely difficult to get in touch with the staff when I arrived despite reception being 24/7. I had to buzz like 3 times at 5 in the morning and was panicking thinking I wasn't going to be able to get in. Well aware it's a weird time but when you advertise 24/7 reception I feel like I'm justified in being angry when I'm left in the cold with my suitcase for 15 minutes trying to get ahold of someone. On the plus side, beds were cozy and the neighborhood really couldn't be better. You're right down the street from the best museums in London and super close to the park. It feels remarkably safe and there are whatever stores and restaurants you could possibly want no more than a 15 minute walk away. I also accidentally left my laptop in the common area all night and it went completely untouched (table stakes to be fair but you never know). It's one of the cheaper hostels in London and considering that I would recommend if you're looking to save money.

A nice hostel in the heart of love london. Only 25mins walk to buckingham…read more What i liked: -clean -friendly staa -kitchen -they provide nice discounts Do book early as this hostel is very popular with travellers from asia.

Staying at a hostel is the way to go when visiting London on a budget. I stayed at the YHA Oxford…read moreStreet during my recent trip to London. This hostel was centrally located within a two-minute walk from Oxford Street and a ten minute walk from the famous Piccadilly Square. The building is nondescript and the front entrance is slightly hidden except for a sign that says YHA Oxford Street. Once inside the hostel, you'll need to take a short ride on the elevator or walk up three flights of steps to get to the reception area. The reception area is tiny and is often occupied by travelers either checking in or checking out. This is also where you sign up for tours or group activities. The staff members are cordial but not overly friendly. I stayed in a four-person dorm with three other ladies. The room was about the size of a typical one-bedroom with four bunk beds. The room had a small sink and large individual lockers. Showers and toilets were located just across the hall from our room. The hostel offers a breakfast for £4.99 each morning that consists of croissants, cold cuts, toast, coffee/tea. Taking advantage of the breakfast presented me with the opportunity to mingle with the other travelers in the small break room that seats about fifteen people. The guests were a mix of young adults and families. This is not a party hostel, which is great for people like me who plan to be out and about as much as possible and then want to come back to the room at night to actually get some sleep. The location is safe. Both the main entrance and the individual rooms were accessible using a key card. Each bed had an individual outlet next to it. WiFi was available in the common areas, but not in the individual rooms. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. The YHA isn't the Ritz-Carlton, but it's a good value for the money.

This is the first hostel I've stayed in, in over 20 years and was a pleasant surprise. Centrally…read morelocated to tube, groceries and restaurants. Is an older building, but the cleaning staff does a great job, especially in the bathroom, which is always my concern in shared spaces. The beds are a bit firm for my old back, but I do like the material they're made of which makes them impervious to stains, bugs, etc. And most importantly, staff are kind and helpful. Affordable, kind, clean and great location for a London stay.

This is a great hostel and I hate that it's poorly reviewed based off ofonly two people. I stayed…read morelast weekend whilst attending a job fair in Kensington. It was about £19 a night in the four bed female dorm. There's great storage under the bed, lockers with a safe and plugs at every bed. The en suite bathroom was a plus, as I had to get up early. The shower was a pain in the ass to work. The staff was amazing. As a previous hostel worker, I know they can make or break a place. Everyone was super friendly and they hung out in the TV lounge with everyone else. It's a nice little crew and very welcoming. The kitchen is stocked and open most of the day. Breakfast was toast, coffee and tea. But it's free. And there are plenty of places nearby to get something. Sainsbury's is on the corner, fast food sushi, pret, a pub and more. It's right on the Piccadilly line which now runs all night in weekends, very convenient!

This place is unreal! Absolutely incredible! Andres the…read moremanager, Desmond the chef, and Loric with the night staff completely saved my trip. On the verge of having home their kindness and consideration was a serious help in a very difficult time I was facing while abroad. I genuinely believe these men, and this hostel, have your best interest in mind and are there for you regardless the circumstances. I'd like to say thank you to the entire team for the cleanliness, hospitality and overall kindness were amazing a did not go unnoticed. Cheers to the next time

I will admit it, I don't like hostels. I like privacy and I'm too introverted to enjoy sharing a…read moreroom with people I don't know. But you gotta do what you gotta do when you're solo traveling and on a tight budget. I was originally going to stay at an Airbnb in London, but last-minute decided to book a hostel. Now, I am very glad that I did!! Sohostel was great. The moment I walked through the door, the receptionists were super friendly and even gave me a tour of the building and showed me to my room. Everything is just so colorful and vibrant - Just the design itself makes you feel comfortable and safe there! They had a lovely lounge room, with a giant projector screen, a snack bar and a bunch of people mingling and hanging out. I had a room with two bunk beds and it was TINY. Basically, the only place you can be is in your bed. But I didn't have a problem with that. What I loved was that there were electric outlets for each bunk, top and bottom, with USB's as well (great for international travelers!) As for location, it's in a great spot. Right in Soho and near Piccadilly Circus, many bars around, a park....I could go on. Only about a 20 minute walk to the big attractions. The price is incredibly cheap as well.. I highly recommend Sohostel for your stay in London!!

I had a great time during my stay here. I instantly found the people here to be much friendlier…read morethan at my other hostels I've stayed in. I found that the employees also hang out near by as some also are live ins. The only problem I found was it was incredibly dusty, dust bunnies everywhere! fortunately I had a top bunk. The water was freezing most of the time to shower, particularly in the morning, so you might want to time it out mid day if possible, tip from a backpacker hostel life traveler room mate. I stayed in a chill coed room for 3 nights where I found to be partially full. It's really a luck of the draw who you might get to sleep next to if they snore or so, fortunately I only had one night of loud snoring and it was reasonable with the free earbuds they offer at the lobby. The lobby and quad areas are super chill like ideal to mingle and meet people to hang with. It was like staying in a camp / college dorm type experience I guess. I found the location to be ideal, easy access to public transportation and underground. I walked / bussed most of the places I went such as Box Park, Brick Lane, Leadenhall Market, etc. I particularly loved all the street art. There's also a 24/7 market I found convenient to purchase groceries from, which I left in the fridge. The kitchen is neat, small, but everyone seemed to be respectful in not eating anyone else's food unless they put in the Share Shelf if left behind by other travelers. Some people also used the kitchen pots and pans to make their meals. There's breakfast offered, decent eggs, toast, oatmeal, juices, coffee. Had I known I probably would've stayed here longer, i would totally stay here again.

Stayed here with 12 friends in a 12 dorm room. For £27 per night the standard was very good. The…read moreroom was clean and well presented. It was a bit basic but it is a hostel after all. The bathroom (private to the dorm) was also well kept having only been open for a year. If they can maintain the standards then I would certainly stay again. Breakfast was included in the price but I had to dash so have no idea how good/bad it was.

This place is awesome! The rooms are clean and spacious, the bathroom is much better than I…read moreexpected. Two private showers with locking doors and two private stalls. The owner is kind and worked with me changing my reservation last minute. It is a mile from the train station, but the walk was easy and interesting. Totally recommend if you're visiting London.

The Pickwick! This…read moreplace was a huge part of why I had a terrific time during my stay in London. The location is outstanding -- in the heart of Bloomsbury, down the street from Russell Square, five minutes from the British Museum and the University of London. The interior is not posh (it's a hostel) but it's clean and well-maintained. Patrick, the owner, goes out of his way to make you feel at home, and is a great resource for visitors to the city.

What's up with the bad reviews? Clink 261 was my 1st hostel and I thought it was great even after…read morebeing spoiled by hotels all my life! Located near Kings Cross - the main crossroad of central London's transport, this hostel is an affordable living solution that has awesome amenities for young travelers. Perhaps it was recently updated, but each bed has its own USB charging port, UK power outlet, and light. The bed was a bit firm but even as a difficult sleeper, I thought the bed was pretty comfortable! The only gripes I have about the room are that the free Wi-Fi was not working (although the staff mentioned that it was temporarily down and in repair) and each bunk bed shared one locker basket (no problem for me but only because everyone in my room was trustworthy). Each floor has one toilet and two shower rooms. The toilet and the showers worked fine, so again, I think there was an update since the bad reviews about cold or un-pressurized shower. However, Clink 261's biggest draw is the common room that has free breakfast and a social atmosphere with fellow young travelers to meet! It's definitely a cool way to meet new people or simply have a conversation. Also, the free breakfast of toast and cereal with tea and coffee was an awesome amenity especially in an expensive city like London. Anyway, I thought I was going to hate it because I never stayed in a hostel before but because of Clink 261, I won't hesitate to stay in one again if everything else is too expensive. If you are a London traveler who doesn't require the hotel pamper, Clink 261 is an excellent choice! --- REMEMBER TO BRING: 1) UK plug adaptor 2) Toothbrush and toothpaste 3) Towel 4) Shampoo, conditioner, body wash 5) Combination lock If you forgot, you can buy them at the desk. Welcome to hostel life! --- tl;dr version: 1) Comfortable hostel with awesome updated amenities 2) Free breakfast and free wifi 3) Great place to meet fellow travelers

I stayed here precovid, so not sure how things are now, but this was a run of the mill hostel. My…read morefriend and I am stayed in a mixed room and met some interesting people. My only real complaint was the bathroom was on a different floor, which wasn't ideal. Otherwise, it wasn't special, but it was fine.

Horrible hostile and they have CCTV camera inside the shower areas. I booked the place for two…read moreweeks and they kicked me out and banned me from the property. I am in remission from cancer and the property has zero accommodations for people with any form of disability. The staff is extremely racist and homophobic. It isn't not a safe space for anyone within the LGBTQ community , young travelers or if you have disabilities. I told the front desk I was in remission from cancer and have anemia. The employee proceeded to put me on the third floor that did not have any lift access. He also put me in the one bed that had a broken window. The property is also very dirty and they do not clean the beds properly. They just spray it with disinfectant and call it a day. While I was on the property I was sexually assaulted and cornered in the kitchen. The front desk witnessed me get bullied by extremely older men and made fun of me for not wanting to entertain them. I'm 19 and a 60 year old man kept threatening me and telling me to suck his ... while I was sleeping. He proceeded to open my curtain when I was sleeping and yell at me calling me an N word and homophobic slurs. When I turned the lights on in the room and woke up the rest of the room the front desk told me that they would kick me out if I complained again. The man followed me around the property for three days and everyone I complained the property laughed and made jokes. After I complained the to the front desk they gave me the option to leave and be refunded but refused to kick out the man who had SA'd me. I didn't ask for special treatment, just for them to treat me with respect. I had multiple things stolen from my room , including my credit card , brand new Apple charger and skincare products and makeup from Sephora. When I complained to the front desk the guy working from Nashville told me to "keep that Sh** private. Making me the problem. When I tried to take my charger back from the creepy old man who stole it he got physical with me and I grabbed his headphones and threw them out a window. Because of this they accused me of "stealing" and kicked me off the property. They refused to believe me and said there was no CCTV footage. I threw the man's headphones out of the bathroom window. They all of the sudden were able to get the CCTV footage of me throwing the headphones out of the shower windows but they weren't able to provide CCTV footage of the men in the little kitchen or common areas. It seems like they're just watching people while they shower which is insane. As for the property. The kitchen is not existent and people are constantly brushing up against each other. Old men are everywhere and use the kitchen as an opportunity to grab you and blame it on the tight space. The entire staff is just extremely rude and I would not recommend this place to young , travelers especially women because it is extremely unsafe and the staff do not do anything when you report it. They just care about their 5 star reviews and will try to silence you if you complain about the property. The staff would also proceed to cough anytime I walked by , after I complained that it isn't safe for someone at the front desk to be working if they were ill as it could make other people in the hostel sick. The staff also threw out all my food and said I had not labeled it properly. But they had given everyone else a note saying that if they did not label their food properly it would be thrown out the following day. It is clear that they just didn't want me on their property and from the start wanted to find any reason to kick me out. The Generator London and Click261 are much better options in London. I've used hostel world for years now and this is the only property that I have had issue with. The location of this hostel is also not great. It's super far and the two I had previously mentioned are much closer to central London, cheaper and have better facilities and staff. Definitely do not recommend.

I stayed here for two nights last month. The lodge is a short uphill walk (maybe 2 minutes) from…read morethe Swiss Cottage tube station, but the surrounding area is not very exciting. My group stayed in a ten bed female room. The room was in the basement floor, which meant very little air circulation. The weather in London during our stay was rather cool, but because of the lack of air circulation, our room was incredibly stuffy and it smelled like gym socks. Also, the wifi didn't reach our room and the common room was often full, so when I had to check my email I sometimes had to sit on a stairway. The showers were clean, but again, no air circulation and I saw mold on the ceiling. The toilet stalls were the smallest I've ever had to use; To get out of the stall, your legs WILL rub against the toilet bowl. The bathrooms are communal for the floor, so we had to share the bathroom with a bunch of guys. Also, I dont think they clean the bathrooms every morning because I saw the same bits of gunk over twelve hours later. The things I did enjoy about this hostel were the free breakfasts (toast, cereal, coffee and juice) and the friendly staff. I liked the large lockers under the bed and the hostel felt very safe. Each bunk had privacy curtains, a reading lamp, and an outlet. Overall, I would consider staying here again, but I wouldn't be excited about it.