Good fortune directed me to Baggies during my first visit to Brighton in 2001 during which I discovered the wonders of this Friendly, comfortable, affordable, well located, home-like hostel full of wonderful people. I returned the following summer to discover friends I'd met there the previous year, who were now residing elsewhere in Brighton, still visiting and hanging out at Baggies as if gravitating to bask in the comfort of home and family. Val, Gem, and their wonderful staff offer warm, down-home hospitality in a friendly, family-like environment. Though I have not been back for a few years I always feel a part of the baggies family experience and l am looking forward to returning for a visit in a few weeks. G

I stayed at Baggies twice. Once in 1997 for three weeks, which were three of the best weeks of my life, and once in 2003, when I returned with my girlfriend. I plan to return In May 2007.

I have travelled extensively, and I consider Baggies to be the best hostel I ever stayed at. The reason? The owner, Val and Gem, and their son Mark, are some of the kindest people, funnest, most interesting people I have ever met. Their friendliness is contagious, and it makes for a great stay at the hostel.

My first time at Baggies, I found that the owners went out of their way to show me, and pretty much everyone else staying there, a good time. When I returned to England 6 years later, I had to bring my girlfriend there to show her the place that gave me the three of the best weeks of my life. Baggies did not change; we showed up, and the people staying there invited us to the beach for a barbecue. At night we sung songs in the basement with the people staying there, and with Mark (if you go, beg him to play the Coconut Song!). The next day, Val and Gem were incredibly hospitable as well.

If you want to stay in a warm, friendly place, where you'll have the chance to mingle with some very interesting people, try Baggies. You may wind up having the time of your life!

By the way, the kitchen is handy, the location is great (very close to the beach, supermarkets, clubs, etc...), the rooms are ok (they are clean) - but what makes this hostel the best is the friendly atmosphere.

We normally don't stay in hostels. We've had a few bad experiences that really tarnished our opinion of them. Baggies, however, was so great we are on the backpacker bandwagon once more. The guys that ran the place were really nice, friendly and helpful. The private double room was clean, comfortable and warm. The toilet was tiny, you couldn't swing a cat in there, but I like cats and wouldn't want to do them any harm so it was fine. The bathroom was average. We stayed at Baggies on a Saturday night and were pleasantly surprised that it was whisper quiet at night time, no loud hoo-harring like you often get at hostels. They were very accommodating with holding our luggage for half a day before we left. For 35 pounds this was fantastic budget accommodation and we would definitely stay there again.

My husband and I selected Baggies because of its price and its recommendation in our Let's Go book. We immediately understood the vibe of the place upon entering the front door. This is a hippy hang out.

The guy at the front desk was extremely nice and helpful. He does not use a computer so everything is still done by hand (and reservations only by phone or in person). There were people relaxing in the front room watching movies, making food in the kitchen downstairs, etc.

We were only staying one night so this was literally a place for us to crash after a day of driving. We are not bohemian people so we were not particularly thrilled by the 20 year old mix and match Disney sheets. However, the other parts of the room were fine as were the toilet and shower facilities. I do think it is time for them to purchase new sheets. That just doesn't seem hygenic after all these years.

We wouldn't stay there again - it didn't fit our personality. If you're all about the "vibe" and enjoy meeting other people like yourself, this will be up your alley. It's pretty much a stereotypical "hippy hostel."