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Whether you're going to the Big Smoke and want somewhere to socialise and crash after a long day/night of exploring, or a Londoner attempting to play tourist inside your hometown to avoid spending money on the taxi back all the way to zone 6 after a evening out, hostels are a great option. We’ve were built with a fair few run-ins with dodgy hostels, but fear not, we’ve discovered 5 London hostels you’ll actually want to stay in:
1. For a Basement Bar: Wombat’s City Hostel London
The Lowdown: With a vaults-style basement bar, courtyard and massive hangout area, Wombat’s Hostel is much not only a bed for the night. Turning a stay into a more sociable experience, the hostel offers not just cheap tipples, but an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet for that early risers.
What to Expect: Ensuite bathrooms, separate ensuite toilets, USB outlets with every bed, huge common areas, a great location and free Wi-Fi – there's valid reason why Wombat’s was voted best Hostel in England in the Hostelworld HOSCAR Awards in 2022.
Price: lb14.40 for any dorm room or lb114 for any private room with en-suite.
Where: 7 Dock St, Whitechapel, London E1 8LL
2. To have an Historical Stay: Clink78
The Lowdown: A former courthouse where Charles Dickens worked and also the Clash once stood trial, there’s history coarsing through Clink78’s walls. While some of the features from yesteryears still remain, the hostel’s decor is now full of modern and playful fixtures and fittings.
What to anticipate: The hostel hosts a basement entertainment venue carrying around DJs and live music every week. And there’s a buffet breakfast available every day, free Wi-Fi, an in-house cinema housed within the original courtroom, and a travel shop where you can purchase discounted tickets for London attractions.
Price: From lb20.72 and lb63.50 for a private double.
Where: 78 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9QG
3. For the Mod Cons: Generator
The Lowdown: Swanky communal areas? Check. A sizable pub-style bar? Check. A cinema room? Check. An on-site restaurant? Check. Seriously, the Generator is world’s from the a bit low hostels that accustomed to frequent the capital. Here, there’s all of the mod cons, clean rooms, and bright, bold colours throughout.
What to anticipate: Local reclaimed timber, exposed brickwork and hot-rolled black steel provide the hostel an industrial feel, and there’s lots of chill out areas like downstairs complete with pool tables, a vintage red bus that's parked next to the bar's dance floor and a photo booth.
Price: Rooms from lb24.00 for any dorm room and lb90.00 for double private.
Where: 7 Tavistock Pl, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9SE
4. For a Rooftop Terrace: SoHostel
The Lowdown: This Manchester jaunt, right off Oxford Street, is deceptively huge. We’re referring to a large communal area complete with a rooftop bar offering some damn fine views over Central London. And also the pamper room is fully designed with straighteners and light-up mirrors that will help you prep for a evening out.
What to Expect: Kick back on the rooftop bar (when the sun arrives), or take in some live music in the bar. With free breakfast (not only your standard cereals and bread, but a full fry-up) and games room within the works, it's not only a bed to crash in for the night time.
Price: College dorms from lb29.00 and double rooms from lb85.00.
Where: 91 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3SY
5. For any Boutique Hostel: Park Villa
The Lowdown: This boutique hostel (yes that’s anything, apparently) is a restored Georgian Regency villa with an attached coach house. There’s bag of rustic charm here, together with auto parking and family rooms which have ample space.
What to Expect: The dorms feature oak wood floors, customised bunkbed pods, comfortable mattresses, luxurious cotton bedding and grand plantation shutters.
Price: From lb25.79 for any dorm room or lb90.00 for a deluxe private twin.
Where: 51 Grove Road, Bow, London E3 4PE
