Anyone stayed at this hostel? It seems to get good family reviews. Toying with staying there with dd in the fall. The rate coming up for a private room for us is 44 pounds total.

ttt

Thank Panel. It looks like a safe enough and clean enough Hostel that caters to families... hope it is true...

I walked by it recently and outwardly it looks very clean, safe, etc.

You may also consider the London universities and colleges rooms they let out when students are on break

i've heard great things about some of these.

i stayed in a B&B in the close in suburbs for 22 pounds a person per room including unlimited breakfast so that is an option as well

I've not stayed in a youth hostel for decades, but the YHA is about the most respectable accommodation-offering institution in Britain.

This is THE best location in the world for connections: next to the best-connected tube station in London, with rail links to all London's international airports and direct trains to Paris and Brussels from just over the road.

You should be aware that there's an "Oh gosh, I've seen a hooker" prissiness from some folk about this location: it's just next to a couple of streets where a few hotels rent by the hour. I lived just up the road for quarter of a century, and used to get desultorily propositioned by unbelievably unattractive young women. Never felt remotely threatened: more importantly neither did Mrs F, or the young women who worked for me when we used a nearby office - often leaving after midnight. Or the junior members of the flannerclan, who stayed in neighbouring hotels if there were too many to fit into our house.

Come to think of it, I've not heard the miserable "doing business, love?" for a year or so. Don't know whether that's because the area's cleaning up or I'm looking too old to be a potential customer.

There's nothing that ought to concern any sensible maiden aunt. But not all maiden aunts ARE sensible, so if you have one that's easily offended, this might not be the wisest location.

Otherwise, the place looks just as PalQ says, and it sounds terrific value.

all excellent information. If I stay in London for one night on the way to Brugge in the am it seems to be a great location and a good value for just sleeping.

I have stayed many times in this area in the passel of cheap B&Bs opposite Kings X Station - and though the area may look dicey at night - with some seemingly unsavory types handing around, etc., i never felt unsafe here. And yes it is being gentrified with the advent of Eurostar to St Pancras, etc.

Perfect location for the Eurostar and as flan says a great transit hub

a little nervous (never stayed any place like this) but I am going to go for it. Will report back.

If you have a private room there should be no problems except possible a bit of noise. If you did not have a private room than staying in a communal hostel room would be like doing back to a college dorm, summer camp, etc.

HI hostels even sell a Senior memberships for elders so they do appeal to all ages even though many in a typical hostel may be school groups IME (not recently however)

but seems a great thing for your daughter - she can mix with others in the common rooms and you can hideaway in your private room!

In London i usually am out all day and half the night so accommodations are just for sleeping.

well - an update. I chickened out. I am staying on points at a Hilton for free.

I still might stay here on our way back - I am a whimp.

From hostel to hilton, quite an upgrade and probably a wise decision IMO

We stayed at YHA hostels in England and Wales last year; they were all great except for uncomfortable beds in Bath. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at this one - give it a try on the way back!

Lee Ann

PalenQ - We recently got an Amex Hilton for the sole purpose of points.

We used it, paid it off and will cancel it after the one year free is up. I got around 71,000 points from doing that.

I am a point/reward chaser .

I think that I am going to swing by the hostel when we leave for Brugge - I will be way outside the room to cancel for our return portion.

I was unable to tell by the website if it is all shared baths. I admit - I draw the line there.

I admit it - I am a big fat chicken.

Come to think of it, I've not heard the miserable "doing business, love?" for a year or so. Don't know whether that's because the area's cleaning up or I'm looking too old to be a potential customer.>>>>

The area's been massively cleaned up - Operation Welling. There is no street prostitution in Kings Cross any more (well there is but it's on York Way where you wouldn't ever go).

CW - ex Camden.

I would be very surprised that a YHA hostel had en-suite rooms, esp for that price

Prostitution in London has seemingly gone from the street into the phone box where often dozens of pictures of 'escorts' advertise their specialties - masochism, etc. and their services are a phone call away

many phone boxes continue to have these photos of whores advertising their wares in them

well the Wardoff it is (ducking!)

&quot;<i>I would be very surprised that a YHA hostel had en-suite rooms . . . . . </i>&quot;

Many YHA hostels have ensuite rooms - including the London St Pancras.

janisj - that is good news. I have not booked the 3 nights on the way back.

I can stay at the Le Meridan for 450.00 USD for 3 nights plus points. Or I might stay at at the YHA.

44 quid total for en-suite private rooms for central London is a shock to me - great deal

janis - do you know of other London YHA hostels like in Holland Park, Carter Lane do en-suite?

does 'many' mean like it sounds that i can expect ensuite hostel private rooms as a rule?

this does surprise me and i'm not doubting you, of course

You can check out what the YHA says about the facilities at http://www.yha.org.uk.