The London Central Youth Hostel
Hostels are the way to go in London, since hotels there can be extremely expensive. Of course, if you have money to burn or you’re celebrating a special occasion, there are some world class hotels that are definitely worth considering. As a value-minded traveler, however, I would rather stay at a hostel where I will not only save money, but will also have an opportunity to meet interesting people from all over the world with whom I can exchange ideas about what to see and where to go next.
On several past visits to London I stayed at the Earl’s Court Hostel, another excellent choice for anyone visiting the capital of the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, it was already full when I tried to book it in advance, which is a testament to the popularity of hostels at this busy tourist destination. So, this time I tried the London Central Youth Hostel, which is also affiliated with Hostelling International, and it turned out to be a great place to stay. For a minimal annual fee you, too, can become a member of HI and get discounted rates at any of their facilities throughout the world. Be sure to check out our HI link under Travel Resources.
An Awesome Accommodation
The London Central Youth Hostel was a modern, clean, seven story facility managed by a friendly, helpful staff. The location could not be better, since, as its name implies, it is in the center of London. Only a five minute walk to Oxford Street, the hostel is also close to the Great Portland Metro Station where you can easily transfer to some of the major metro and train stations in London, like King’s Cross/St. Pancras and Paddington. On arrival in London, I took the metro from Heathrow Airport to the King’s Cross/St. Pancras station and then transferred to the Great Portland station which was within easy walking distance of the hostel. Once I was checked in and had rested up a bit after my long flight, I set out from the hostel on a walking tour of the major sights of London, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe Theater, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park, SoHo and Piccadilly Circus, to name just a few.
Beds at the London Central Youth Hostel start at around $25 and I paid $42 for a room shared with 5 other fellows. Family accommodations are available and many rooms have private bathrooms. The hostel has a 24 hour café/bar, web access and a great breakfast for a small additional charge. It’s easy to see why the London Central Youth Hostel is such a popular place to stay and why it is consistently given high marks by visitors. I can highly recommend this hostel to anyone looking for a clean, safe, comfortable, centrally located and reasonably priced place to stay in London.
