THE HOSTEL WE STAYED IN WHILE VISITING LONDON ENGLAND
I wasn’t going to even write about the 2nd time we visited London because we were only there for 3 nights. I changed my mind because we were able to stay in a hostel. This is not the first hostel we have stayed in but it is definitely the best.
Our first hostel was in Scotland and it was a cheaper older hostel. It was clean and safe and met our needs for a one night stay. We paid $20 for a bed per person. We were in a room that totaled 8 people. Everyone has their own twin bunk bed. There are community bathrooms throughout the building that are for mixed use but all the showers have a private closed area to dress and shower. The same goes with the bathrooms, the toilet area has a door for privacy but the sink area is for all to use no matter what gender. There is a common kitchen and a common room with a tv, couches and games.
In London we stayed at a chain hostel named Wombats. It was a top notch hostel. We paid $30.50 per night. Wombats is a well-run, very organized business that provides a nice social place to stay. The rooms are all equipped with beds with individual electrical plug ins, reading lights and lockers that lock for your personal belongings. We stayed in a room with 8 people total. Each room has its own shower and bathroom so you only have to share with your immediate roommates. Wombats provides a nice well stocked kitchen that has 4 cooking ranges, 2 refrigerators and plenty of storage for any food you may purchase. They even have a great system for you to leave behind unwanted food so the next traveler can have it for free. Each refrigerator had a shelf of free food. In the building was a nice bar that served drinks and pizza at a reasonable price. Every morning between 6:30-10 you could buy a breakfast ticket for $6 and eat all you want of their cereal, breads, meats, cheeses, fruit, juices, tea and coffee. There is ample seating and tables for every type of use: little nooks if you want to read, hammocks on the patio, large dining table for great conversation, plenty of couches for lying back and relaxing. I found it to be a positive and fun environment. We saw people off all ages there. We saw a lady with a 2yr old and a lady in her 60’s. Most people tend to be between 20 -30.
Following are photos from St. Andrews Hostel in Scotland and Wombat Hostel in London. When we began this trip the only thing I knew about hostels is what I saw in movies. I now have a better understanding and I wonder why we don’t have more in Portland. They are such a great way to travel on a budget. Beth
