BootsnAll Travel Community

I'll be traveling Europe this summer and would like some input on what are some cool hostels to stay at in London. I like to party but sight see as well, and Im really into music. I arrive June 7th and will be staying for a week or so. Any ideas? Thanks!

To get an overview of what's available in London, try this page. You'll probably be able to get a feel for the hostels themselves here, as well.

So I'm going to cheat a bit - I just posted this on another thread but its relevant here too.

Ok,

I'll do my best to help...

My recommendation would be St Christophers in Camden Info here.

Its in a great location in Camden. Safe, a 5 min walk to the tube, in a great part of town (the nightlife is excellent, pubs, bars, markets etc). We stayed here for the BnA Euro bash over New Years and had a blast! Its located above a bar, has a great chill out area and the vibe was excellent.

Its easy to get into town from here as well. You can either get the tube (about 5-10 mins into Tottenham Ct Road or Leicester Square) or the bus (or about 30-40 mins walking).

If you need any more info just let me know (or have a look at some of my other posts about London).

Dave

Thanks you guys, been a good help. I think I'm gonna go with the St. Christoper's hostels, they are right up my alley!!!

The Globetrotter is large, has a bar IN the hostel, sadly I did nothing but party those couple months in London.


http://www.globetrotterinns.com/

I stayed at St. Christophers the first time I was in London. Camden is in zone 2, so you end up paying more for using the tube, however the stop is very close. When I lived in London two years ago Camden was not a place that I went at night. That may have been because of how shady the area felt the year before when I was at St. Christophers. However, when I spent a day in Camden in December I found the entire neighborhood to be changed. A lot of building had been done and it seemed gentrified. It was a bit sad. The whole place has lost its edge.

quote:

Originally posted by Kathryn M:
I stayed at St. Christophers the first time I was in London. Camden is in zone 2, so you end up paying more for using the tube, however the stop is very close. When I lived in London two years ago Camden was not a place that I went at night. That may have been because of how shady the area felt the year before when I was at St. Christophers. However, when I spent a day in Camden in December I found the entire neighborhood to be changed. A lot of building had been done and it seemed gentrified. It was a bit sad. The whole place has lost its edge.

Its interesting you say that about Camden...

I used to go when I was at Uni all the time to go to the record stores and the market and wound up living just north of there in Finchley for 5 years. I then wound up working in Camden for almost all that time.

I understand what you mean about a somewhat shady feel...it has had it in teh past and to some extent it still exists but I've never felt uneasy there. In fact of all the places in London, its the place I feel MOST at ease. I've worked there, eaten there, drank far too much there, partied the night away there and never felt threatened at all - and I say all that even after getting night buses home on many occasions.

It has a feel that's different to the rest of London and is a place I think visitors should try and get to even if its for a day to sample a more real London.

I guess me and it just click nicely.

Don't get me wrong, I liked the area. I lived close to Philadelphia for a while and going to Camden was like going to a bigger and better South Street. I loved going to the markets on the weekends and looking at all the arts and other handmade items. I used to be addicted to a crepe stand right in the middle. That crepe stand, and the other food stands around it, had been replaced by a very modern looking building the last time I had visited. As I was really craving one of those crepes after doing without for two years I was highly disapointed.

I would encourge anyone who is going to London to visit the area. However, it has changed quite a bit since I first saw it about four years ago. I found my last visit to be very disapointing. I will always go back to London, I love city and because I lived there it feels like home in a way. However, I don't know that I will be making the treck out to Camden the next time I go there.

You might want to consider The Generator in Russell square. Centrally located, pretty cheap (I believe about $20 USD a night but don't quote me), and a great bar!

It was the first hostel I ever stayed in so obviously it has a special place in my heart.

You always remember your first, right?


http://www.generatorhostels.com/london/

Its definately changed!

Some for the better and some for the worse....

I guess I was a big Camdenite during teh whole Britpop thing in the mid 90s and would go up just to buy my music and take it all in...(I never imagined for a monet that I would end up working there)....

The atmosphere is different...certainly....a lot friendlier than it used to be....maybe that has killed its edge a little...Talk of the Electric Ballroom closing caused quite an uproar as well.

I guess I still love the place for a night out or for shopping. Its not pretentious like other places in London can be and has a down to earth feel.

I did look for a hous ethere for a bit but it was (and still is) vastly overpriced and most of the places were pretty grotty.

Maybe one or two of the others who were at the BnA party have an impression of the place as well....

Camden at night, not good. Crackhead tried to rob me one time when I was looking for weed.

During the day, never a problem. If it takes you more than 10 minutes to find weed in Camden, you must look like a cop.