Arrived at this place after finding it fairly easy, which was a blessing really as I didn't want to have to go hunting about for it with a heavy pack. First impressions was a nice friendly atmosphere until I got inside...

Upon opening the door, I got the impression that yes, this place can be a nice friendly place at times, but perhaps this was an off day. No one was smiling and the staff behind the reception desk had an almost "can't wait to get home" expression on their faces. I gave them my name and then pressed a few buttons before telling my glumly my price and I would need ID. Although it never said anywhere about needing ID to sleep somewhere. Lucky I had some on me.

The place wasn't lavishly decorated, but for the price, I never expected the ritz so I wasn't too fussed about walls falling apart or missing floorboards or even the signs saying "warning electrical work in progress", even though I never saw an electritian in my whole stay there.

Either way, the room was exactly as it said on the reciept. Room with 2 beds. With the exclusion of a sink and a window, that is all there was. The beds were bunkbeds that had matresses precariously balanced on a metal mesh that sagged upon sleeping resulting in an aching back for my entire stay there.

It wasn't all bad... we had a nice view out of the window and privacy due to the fact we had a private room, not to mention the lack of curfew. Although all the signs warning you not to have food in the rooms, not to let friends in the rooms (they had to wait out in the hall), not to have any illegal substances etc etc... they were a bit preachy for my tastes.

They gave you a continental breakfast with the reasonable price, of which I never fancied eating, as judging by the health of people wandering about the halls, I thought it better not to trust the food and eat out.

Considering that upon checking in we were told that after 10pm we would need to show our room key to get in, we had suprisingly easy entry with me and another non-resident and marched into my room.

The hotel promised Hot Showers, but perhaps they were on another floor as the two floors that I stayed on (we moved rooms) the thrid floor was just about a usable temperature, although the air was warmer, and the first floor shower was enough to make a penguin shiver. Not good after a day out in wintery London.

Still, the location was very good and with the choice of easily accessible locations and two tube lines, I would recommend this Hostel to people that don't mind roughing it a bit, and being pretty flexible with their attitudes.

All in all, the hostel is pretty good, except I am rating this fairly low due to my experience which was probably just a bad time/few days. But an experience is an experience.