Walking into the YHA's new London Central Hostel was like walking into a
trendy internet cafe - teenagers in low-slung jeans and eye-skimming
haircuts slumped over laptops and iPhones, tapping their keyboards to a
backdrop of 1980s pop - apparently some things do last the test of time...
While YHA hasn't abandoned its principles
of dorm bedrooms, bunk beds, a kitchen, and long tables for communal dining;
it's the internet cafe and bar that's now the hub of the hostel, not the
stove and the kitchen sink.
Bright furniture, bold artwork, big screens playing music videos and a vast
back-lit map of the Underground decorate the walls of the open-plan
reception and cafe.
The backpackers, many of whom told me they were students and cheap mid-week
breaks, sipped frothy coffees while planning their days in London - shopping
was the most popular activity according to my short straw poll, plus
sampling the city's nightlife.
London
Central opened earlier this year and business has been brisk since, with
most of the 294 beds filled every weekend. The rooms are spotlessly clean
with crisp white sheets, lockable cupboards for security and most with
ensuite bathrooms.
The dorm rooms will continue to put off couples seeking privacy on a romantic
weekend break, but for backpackers or families who want a safe and clean
base from which to explore the city, you can't go wrong with this
value-for-money hostel.
what happened to Hampstead Heath YHA? Its not on the website now. Is it closed?
Maree, Omakau, New Zealand
Baldersdale YHA has been reborn as Blackton Grange, Teesdale. It has been regraded to a 4*, has wifi, family rooms (with double beds) and is located at the halfway point of the Pennine Way, high up above the reservoirs of Teesdale. Great for groups and celebrations.
jan, Barnard Castle, UK
The hostel in the center of York has 2-bed rooms for £35.50 w/ buffet breakfast in late August - I have already booked. Hostels were originally to help people escape the cities and be closer to nature, hence their many of their "ridiculous" locations in rural locations.
Heather Rome, Maidenhead, United Kingdom
It is nice to see YHA putting one of their hostels in a sensible location. They are generally in ridiculous locations, miles from any of the tourist sites and often full of schoolgroups.
David Lea-Smith, Edinburgh, U.K.
"hasn't abandoned it's principles "? It is actually "its" - come on soem basic grammar woudln't go astray.
Toby, Sydney,
Sally R in London, there are plenty of youth hostels catering for couples. It is single people who either have to pay for a double room, just like in a hotel, or try to sleep in a dormitory.
Paul, Coventry,
Searching www.yha.org.uk, for accomodation for 2 adults during May, in the North East alone, there are 7 hostels with 2 bed rooms for couples.
Five charge between £32 and £40 for a room. Ninebanks has an ensuite room with double bed for £41, and Newcastle £44, B&B for a couple, not rip-off prices
Pauline Elliott, Ninebanks, UK
Why is it impossible to find rooms at any UK hostel which are for couples? (compared with the rest of the world). In our late 30s we want to hostel as a couple, we want to sleep in the same room, and I refuse to pay the rip-off prices for "family" rooms. We won't renew our membership again.
Sally R., London, UK