Currently, we have reservations for hostel Clink staying in a mixed dorm for four days. Does anyone have any knowledge of hostels in London. We stayed in one in Niagara Falls and it was cramped with no air conditioning (bad) and we have stayed in several in Japan (excellent) but have no knowledge of hostels in London. Help! My kids are 14 and 15.

A lot of hostels have age restrictions, which limits your choices. I've stayed in two of the Astor hotels (astorhostels.com) several years ago and was pleased. Their age limit is enforced pretty loosely, but they're not really geared for families at all. (If you do end up in one of those, I like the Museum location best.) There are independent hostels, many of which cater more to a college/young adult crowd (some with more of a party atmosphere than others). There are also hostels affiliated with an organization like Hosteling International or YHA, which tend to be a little more "tame."

I know the YHA hostel near St. Paul's has been mentioned here, but I haven't stayed there personally. That might be a good one to check out. The Clink hostels' location is OK, though it's a bit of a walk to a Tube stop.

Just noticed that the web site notes that if you're traveling with kids under 16, you're required to book a whole dorm or a private room - wasn't sure if you were aware.

Hostels in London run from nice to dreadful and everything in between.

The Clink has reviews all over the board on TA. More 'Terrible' than 'Excellent', yet more 'Very Good' than 'Poor'.

All in all it doesn't look all that great. A review that starts >><i>I have stayed at dozens of hostels all over the world, and this is by far my worst experience ever</i><< doesn't look promising.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...d.html#REVIEWS

Here is a link to Trip Advisor reviews of YHA St. Paul Hostel. Please note that I am not endorsing this hostel:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

We did walk into it during our visit to London last December. The location is excellent. I can't speak about the rooms or the overall comfort. You may want to post your question on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum. There are more people who stay in hostels on LP.

We stayed at several YHA properties in the UK (though not in London, unfortunately) and were really pleased with every place we used. www.yha.org.uk and check to see which ones have family rooms.

Lee Ann

Hosteling International usually has decent properties and I beleive does allow children - but I would definitely heck each one. For more info on hostels go to student/super budget sources - like the Let's Go guides and the thorn Tree section of the Lonely Planet site.

In London, as in all major cities, some hostels are fine and some are awful - with the possibility of drugs, theft, et al.

The London School of Economics offers their dorm rooms and some apartments during summers mostly at various locations in central London. Some are available all year round.
http://www.lsevacations.co.uk/default.htm

Thank you RainyDay09 as I am feeling a bit better about the Hostel...
kybourbon: thanks for the link to the London School of Economics but the dates they are available July 2 onward (my luck as we are in Paris on those dates). Thanks.
ElindilPickle: I checked the YHA and they are not available for online booking on those dates...thanks.