BUG review
This hostel is in a small lane near the waterfront in Southport. It features a big common area downstairs with a pool table, Internet access and TV plus a big commercial kitchen and a small backyard with a barbecue.
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Price Dorm bed £17 Double/twin room £38-42 Prices are in British pounds and are inclusive of all taxes.
i read the other reviews i saw b4 this one - there is a big gap in years...the chinese family who run this place are not friendly.cultural awkwardness?
diffidence?
general neurotic goofiness?i don't know what the score is, but you get the feeling that they don't give a stuff about the hostellers - just no interest in you at all.
after i gave the guy the money he talked for about a minute - room and kitchen , etc, then he was gone....i was going to ask about wifi and this and that , but he vamoosed!messages all over, telling you what you can and can't do - they close the lounge at 11.30pm - stops people coming in for free, i suppose.
do they really have to close the kitchen and prohibit cooking after 10.00?and as for the cold rooms - it was just getting into ''real autumn days'' when i was there - cold at night, definitely cold in the room in the morning.no heating at all - i couldn't dry my clothes, which were still damp after a very expensive visit to the laundry.
the drier at the hostel is bust - they are not interested in fixing it.
i was coldly told about the laundry when asking about washing at the hostel.
and the grill doesn't work in the hostel - turned off to save money.
and the toaster doesn't work - one side only!this is a great hostel - shame about the stupid penny-pinching and the lack of heating.they'd be run out of business if they had any real competition in portsmouth - in record time!but all they have to do is be friendly and provide the bloody essentials!!BUY A TOASTER !!
TURN ON THE HEATING!!
PRETEND YOU LIKE HUMANITY!!
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robertbolske@hotmail.com
Spokane Washington State USA
I would recommend it 24 November 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
robertbolske@hotmail.com
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 8391)
Clean, well run, big complete kitchen, well done in all areas. Big family room, family atmosphere, a TV set, internet, lots of tables and chairs. My room was however cramped as hell, with 6 beds, and one little window. /// I spent 3 nights in Pourtsmouth, and had a good time there. Lots to do and see. An English mall was near.. "The Hard". HMS Victory, several military museums, The English channel, The grey sea, rockey beach, old forts, English Amusments, and a long sea side walkway. I had a nice time in Pourtsmouth, and would like to go back.
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Anonymous
Atlanta,Georgia US
Nicest Management 26 November 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 8392)
The hostel was clean and had good facilities. Having arrived later than expected without reservations, the manager allowed us to check-in well after specified time. The other hostel in town would not. When we reached the hostel the manger was very friendly, and talked with us about various things to do and see.
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10 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
The Netherlands
it felt like home 27 October 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 8393)
Though I only stayed at this hostel for one night, and I did not use the communal areas it was the best hostel ever!!! The owners were friendly and very helpfull, they got me the right directions and always had time for a talk. The English can be very quiet and it may sometimes feel like there is no one to talk to and that no one is interested, just hang on and be persistent, ones the English trust you and feel comfortable they usually love to hear your stories and reasons for coming.Laura
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Anonymous
Maine, United States
clean, comfortable, and very welcoming! 29 September 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 8394)
Portsmouth and Southsea Backpackers is a great hostel. I spent several weeks backpacking across the UK, and this was one of the best places I stayed. The rooms are comfortable, spacious, very clean, and there's a place to lock your belongings. The bathrooms are clean as well. The location is good, as there are several attractions nearby and it's only a few blocks to cheap places to eat. While I did not use the kitchen or spend time in the social areas (I was too busy), they were well maintained and had good facilities, such as a huge stove and oven.Finally, the owner/manager, a kindly gentleman, was probably the nicest person we met on our trip. He was very helpful and very kind to us, providing directions, recommendations, and giving us information about the area that we never would have known about, such as the low taxi costs rather than buses.
