Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in your rooms at night (talk softly, and keep the TV volume low)...those of us getting up
early will thank you for it.
London hostels charge about
£
20-30 per bed. Travelers of any age are welcome if they
don't mind sleeping in dorm-style accommodations and meeting other travelers. Cheap
meals are sometimes available. Most hostels offer kitchen facilities, Wi-Fi, a guest com-
puter, and a self-service laundry. Nowadays, concerned about bedbugs, hostels are likely
to provide all bedding, including sheets. Family and private rooms may be available on
request.
Hostelling International hostels (also known as
“official hostels”
and run by the
YHA in Britain) charge a few extra pounds a night for nonmembers. If you'll be staying
for several days in an official hostel, consider buying a membership card before you go
(
www.hihostels.com
)
.
Independent hostels
tend to be easygoing, colorful, and informal (no membership
required). For London independent hostel listings, try
www.hostellondon.com
;
www.hostelworld.com
is the standard way backpackers search and book hostels, but also
try
www.hostels.com
and
www.hostelz.com
.
Many London colleges rent out their dorms during school holidays, mainly during
July, August, and early September. Types of accommodations vary, but are usually some-
what spartan (no phones or TVs in the rooms) and come with single or twin beds. For
Renting an apartment, house, or villa can be a fun and cost-effective, though not neces-
sarily cheap, way to delve into London. Websites such as HomeAway and its sister sites
VRBO and GreatRentals let you correspond directly with European property owners or
managers. Consider this option if you're traveling with a family or staying a week or
longer. For listings, see “Apartment Rentals” at the end of this chapter.
Airbnb.com
and
Roomorama.com
make it reasonably easy to find a place to sleep in
someone's home. Beds range from air-mattress-in-living-room basic to plush-B&B-suites.
One Fine Stay (
www.onefinestay.com
) offers a more upscale version, where you coordin-
