7 Amazing but Different Hostels to Stay in London and Europe
Hello! As you all know, I just got back from London and Europe last month. It was a 27 day backpacking trip, hence this post to show you where did I stay. It was mainly supported by Hostelling International group, and every hostel that I stayed at is so different.
I used to be very skeptical of hostels cause I was not familiar it, but my Canada trip under Hostelling International’s Big Blog Exchange totally changed my perception.
London – YHA Central
YHA Central is located near Oxford Street (Think shopping, and Primark), nestled between buildings that houses Tesco and Sainsbury where you can do your groceries.
I got a 4 shared dorm with ensuite toilet. The room that I got was pretty small, but it’s still adequate for a few nights sleep. There were plug points and a bedside lamp on each bed, and 4 lockers for each backpacker.
There’s no free breakfast but you can opt for a continental breakfast that cost £4.95 but if you are saving money like me, you can make use of their huge self catering kitchen.
How to get here
I arrived in London in the wee hours, and getting here was no problem at all. I took the Underground straight to the vicinity. Stop at either Oxford Circus (500metres walk) or Great Portland (400metres walk) to get here.
The good
Offers discounts on major attractions like Madame Tussauds
and the London Eye
Near Oxford Street for all your shopping needs
Huge self catering kitchen
Near Underground, and plenty of day and night buses around
In a relatively quiet neighbourhood with Tesco only 3 minutes walk away
Plenty of activities planned by the hostel
The not so good
No complimentary breakfast
WiFi only at the common area
Rooms might be too small for some people
Dorm room price starts from £16 | More information on YHA Central London
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London – YHA St Pancras
I also managed to stay at another hostel which has the best location in London. As the name suggest, this hostel is right opposite St Pancras train station. And if you’re a Harry Potter fan, Kings Cross is just next to St Pancras woohoo!
The 6 bed dorm room was big enough, and it was pretty comfortable as I had space to walk around. The ensuite toilet was a blessing, but one thing that was pretty troublesome is that there are no plug points at the beds. The plug points are concentrated at one corner, and the ones on the top bunker will not have access to it.
There’s no complimentary breakfast, nor a self catering kitchen, but this place compensates for really affordable meals. The nachos with beef was around £6.95 and roasted chicken was £7.45. I bought food from Marks and Spencers instead. 😛
How to get here
Take any public transport to St Pancras station and you’re
good to go! 🙂
The good
Near St Pancras so you can get to anywhere easily
Easily accessible to airports
Affordable hot food and coffee at the restaurant
Relatively large rooms
Plenty of activities planned by the hostel
The not so good
No complimentary breakfast<
No dedicated plugpoints
No self catering kitchen
Dorm room price starts from £16 | More information about YHA St Pancras
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Netherlands – Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark
Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark is located in the middle of Vondelpark, one of Amsterdam’s biggest park, and is only a 20 minute walk to the city centre. I had difficulties finding the hostel at first because I could not find the entrance.
Old school building, just the way I like it.
I got a 2 bed private room with ensuite bathroom and toilet, a great view of Vondelpark, comfortable bed and natural lighting, what’s there not to love about this place? The common area is huge where you can just relax and chill. You can also rent bikes to cycle around Amsterdam like the locals. 😀
I really enjoyed the complimentary breakfast as well, especially with the various selection of cheese, bread, fruits and yogurt. Noms!
How to get here
From Schiphol Airport, take bus number 197 or 370, and walk 10 minutes to the park, or you could take a direct train to Amsterdam Central and then tram number 5 to Museumplein and walk over.
The good
20 minutes walk to the city centre
Outside a park so you can jog in the morning
Middle of the park, so it’ll be quiet at night
The awesome breakfast spread
Bike rentals
Discounts on attractions like Anne Frank House, Heineken Experience and many more
Complimentary breakfast
The not so good
No self catering kitchen
Rooms get snapped up fast so book early!
Dorm room price starts from €18 | More information about Stayokay Amsterdam Vondelpark
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Netherlands – Stayokay Utretch-Buunik
This is one of the most beautiful hostel I’ve stayed in! Until today I am missing the whole place. T_____T To get to Utretch, hop on the next available train from Amsterdam Central and you’ll be there in 20 minutes. The hostel is 5km away from Utretch city center, but with a bicycle you’ll get there in no time at all.
The whole place is so picturesque that my mood was instantly lifted when I arrived.
The complimentary breakfast was up to par like Amsterdam, and they even had rocket leaves for your sandwich. So yums!
How to get here
Take bus 119 to Buunik from Utrecht Central, and walk around 10 minutes straight into the hostel. Our bus driver knows the area well and he’s the one that told us to get down at the correct stop hehe.
The good
Nature is everywhere, perfect for those that wants to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life
Mostly families stay here, so it will be peaceful and less rowdy
Walking distance to one of the best pancake place in Netherlands
Comfortable rooms and great view of the forest and stream
Complimentary breakfast
The not so good
Can be quite a walk from the main road especially with heavy backpacks
The shortcut from the city center to the hostel has no light, hence it can be really scary if you come back when the sun is down. I never cycled so fast in my life before
Dorm room price starts from €18 | More information about Stayokay Utrecht – Buunik
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Brussels – Generation Youth Hostel Brussels
I like how Generation Europe is a complete hostel, from a common lounge equipped with foosball table and computers, to a bar, and a self catering kitchen. They even give you free Belgium beer to try when you check in. Walking to a nearby attraction was not a problem at all.
When I stepped into my room, I was instantly drawn to the attic like window. So classic hehe. The wooden floor gave the place a nice vibe too. Plus, the ensuite bathroom and toilet is so modern it doesn’t feel like a hostel at all.
There’s a large common area to just chill with by playing foosball and pool. Many backpackers were reading and having dinner here as well. Generation Europe also serve daily dinners for only €7.00 which is pretty affordable.
Not sure how organic is the breakfast but it has a selection of wholemeal bread, ham, cheese and fruits. I did not dare to take the sugared donut. Haha.
How to get here
Take the metro Line 1 to Comte de Flandre and Generation
Europe is about 10 minutes walk from there.
The good
Modern rooms
Walking distance to one of the best (and cheapest) bakery
Within 20 minutes walk to the city centre
Complimentary organic breakfast
Affordable dinners
Self catering kitchen
The not so good
Can be a little rowdy at night at the common area
Dorm room price starts from €27 | More information about Generation Europe Hostel
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Rome – Roma Downtown Hostel
It was no problem finding this hostel at all from our train ride from Florence. Only 5 minutes walk from Roma Termini station, my back and legs said thank you for staying here. The reception is on the second floor but they have rooms from the third floor onwards.
The room is large and basic, but with the additional dressing table and a MINI FRIDGE (Hallelujah) not found in other hostels.
The breakfast cost an additional €4.00, and it has white bread (Please provide wholemeal :P), cheese and ham, and 3 selection of cereals but my favourite part is the espresso. Such a great pick me up.
How to get here
5 minutes walk from Roma Termini station. Easy peasy. 🙂
The good
Mini fridge in the rooms.
There’s a self catering kitchen with 2 microwaves.
Near Roma Termini station means it’s so easy to get to the hostel. Buses to the airport stops at this station too. Major convenience if you have an early flight to catch.
The not so good
Breakfast is an additional €4. Fruits ran out really fast and there’s no refill. 🙁
Can be quite far from a lot of attractions.
The Colosseum was about 35 minutes walk. Walking tours were pretty expensive as well.
Dorm room price starts from €13 | More information about Alessandro Downtown Hostel
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Paris – Yves Robert
Auberge de jeunesse Yves Robert is located in an eco-friendly district, hence this hostel is the perfect model of how a sustainable hostel can be. The building has a modern (I will call it hipster :P) facade, and it overlooks a train track. But no worries, as the windows are sound proof I didn’t hear any running trains at all.
The rooms are simple, but I loved that little ledge at the window where I could sit and stretch my leg nyehehe.
I like how they have large spaces here, especially the bean bag lounge. Spent every night here with snacks and my iPad watching Running Man. :3
There’s breakfast too, and of course, when you are in France, the main item on the menu is bread. Thank god they had yoghurt too phew.
How to get here
Go to Gare du Nord or La Chapelle stop, and walk 15 minutes towards the hostel. Do becareful though as it can be a little dodgy if you’re walking alone. Alternatively, take the metro to Marx Dormoy.
The good
It’s eco-friendly!
Complimentary breakfast
Walking distance to Sacre-Couer and Montmartre
Great Asian food nearby
Near the Metro / Underground
The not so good
I had to pay €0.20 to print my Disneyland tickets. -_-
Breakfast is the same so you might get bored. Do go earlier so you can eat some fruits as they tend to run out really fast.
The walk from the Metro / Underground can be a little dangerous so be alert.
The shower here works with an interval so you need to keep pressing the button for a constant flow of water.
Dorm room price starts from €26 | More information about Auberge de jeunesse Yves Robert
Which is your favourite hostel? Let me know at the comments below, and if you have any questions feel free to hit me up too! Will try my best to help.
A million thanks for Hostelling International for supporting me with accommodation that made my backpacking trip so much better. 🙂
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