Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
map p.120.
Small, quiet hostel in a converted office
block near King's Cross/St Pancras, with laundry, kitchen
facilities and a very stylish, if tiny, lounge. Dorms -
including two female-only dorms (4-bed & 10-bed) -
have 4-18 beds and there are private rooms, sleeping
up to
three
, with sh
ared
facilities. Breakfast included.
Dorm
s
£19
, doubles
£66
Clink 78 Hostel
78 King's Cross Rd, WC1
T
020 7183
9400,
W
clinkhostels.com;
!
King's Cross; map p.120.
Occupying an old magistrates' court - Dickens once worked
here; a century later the Clash were put on trial here for
bothering pigeons - this funky, friendly (and huge) party
hostel, run by the same folk as
Clink 261
around the corner,
has plenty of jazzed-up period features (you can even stay
in one of the tiny old prison cells). It can get crowded and
noisy, but it's fun if you're feeling sociable and there's a
lively bar. Dorms (4-16 beds, some pod beds; some en
suite) include special “girls-only” options (hairdryers,
hangers, mirrors), and there are doubles/twins/triples
(some
en
suite). B
reak
fast included. Kitchen facilities.
Dorms
£19
, doubles
£66
Generator
37 Tavistock Place, WC1
T
020 7388 7666,
W
generatorhostels.com;
!
Russell Square or Euston;
map p.120.
One of a small European chain, this huge party
hostel is tucked away in a converted police barracks on a
cobbled street. The decor may not be to everyone's taste,
but it is friendly, and good value. Dorms (some women-
only) have 4-12 beds, and there are singles, twins, triples
and quads - none en suite, though there are plans in the
pipeline to upgrade. There's a young, lively atmosphere
with themed nights in the late-night bar. Laundry, but no
kitchen; a continental breakfast buffet is served in their
café for £4.50. Fr
ee w
i-fi. Grou
ps, in
cluding school groups,
welcome. Dorms
£25
, doubles
£78
Ì
Meininger
65-67 Queen's Gate, SW7
T
020 3318
1407,
W
meininger-hostels.com;
!
Gloucester Road
or South Kensington; map p.252.
Cheery, secure and
high-quality modern hostel near the South Ken museums,
run by a German chain. Dorms (4-12 beds), some women-
only, plus singles and doubles. Groups welcome.
No
kitchen;
break
fast costs £6. There's a laundry. Dorms
£27
,
doubles
£112
Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage
40 College Crescent,
NW3
T
020 7483 8470,
W
palmerslodges.com;
!
Swiss Cottage.
A decent, clean and safe backpackers'
lodge in a vast Victorian mansion in south Hampstead with
period features galore in the public rooms. Many of the
dorms (mixed or female-only; 6-28 beds) have beds with
curtains and reading lights for added privacy; there are also
twins, some of them en suite. Breakfast is included, and
you can get cheap meals and a drink at the bar. Free wi-fi.
There's anoth
er b
ranch,
Hillsp
ring Lodge
, in Willesden
Green. Dorms
£17
, doubles
£75
St Christopher's Inns
T
020 8600 7500,
W
st
-christophers.co.uk; map pp.226-227.
St Christopher's
run seven party hostels across London, with three near
London Bridge, and branches in Camden, Greenwich,
Shepherd's Bush and Hammersmith. The vibe is upbeat and
cheerful, with most people out to socialize and hang out at
the hostel bars. The
London Bridge Village
hostel also has a
nightclub and comedy club, while the nearby
London
Bridge Oasis
branch is women-only. Free breakfast
and
laundry
faci
lities but no kitchens. Free wi-fi. Dorms
£16
,
doubles
£79
23
STUDENT HALLS
Outside term-time, it's possible to stay in
student halls of residence
, which provide safe, respectable lodgings often in
very good, central locations. The quality of the rooms varies enormously, but they tend to be small, neat and basic and get
booked up quickly. Some have shared kitchen facilities, some offer B&B - student and senior discounts are often available.
International Students House
229 Great Portland St,
W1
T
020 7631 8300,
W
ish.org.uk;
!
Great Portland
Street; map p.89.
Hundreds of hostel-style beds in a vast
student complex, with two sites near Regent's Park. Rooms
are light, spacious and clean. Rates include continental
breakfast and free wi-fi, but there is no kitchen. Open all
year, though with variable availability. Dorms (4-10 beds),
plus
single
s, tw
ins, triples and quads, some en suite. Dorms
£21
, twins
£66
Hampstead Residence
Kidderpore Ave, NW3
T
020
7848 1700,
W
kingsvenues.com;
!
Hampstead; map
pp.298-299.
A nice Victorian building on a tree-lined
avenue, off Finchley Rd, within walking distance of the
West Heath. B&B rooms, with
share
d facil
ities
(and no
kitchen). July & Aug only. Singles
£35
, twins
£45
King's College Hall
Champion Hill, SE5
T
020 7848
1700,
W
kingsvenues.com.
Refurbished rooms in leafy
Denmark Hill in suburba
n so
uth London. Singles only, en
suite and shared. Singles
£35
Stamford Street Apartments
127 Stamford St, SE1
T
020 7848 1700,
W
kingsvenues.com;
!
Waterloo;
map p.216.
Modern, conveniently located purpose-built
block close to the South Bank, with en-suite s
ingl
e rooms
and kitchen facilities. July & Aug only. Singles
£55
KING'S COLLEGE
Great Dover Street Apartments
165 Great Dover St,
SE1
T
020 7848 1700,
W
kingsvenues.com;
!
Borough; map pp.224-225.
Huge
Victorian building not
far from Bankside, with modern en-
suite
room
s an
d
kitchen facilities. July & Aug only. Singles
£55
, twins
£78
