I had been there recently in December 2003. From my experiences, I will never ever stay in this hostel again. The very first evening I entered the room, I found that the bulb in the room was fused . After I contacted the staff, a new one was fixed. This clearly means that before handing over the room, the check was not done. My troubles were just about to begin. I had taken an ensuite room.To my horror, I found that there is no hot water in the shower or wash basin. Just cold water. Imagine, the outside temperature is about 3/4 Deg & I had only cold water. I again contacted the staff. The hotel staff was unfriendly and unhelpful. They told me that the person who repairs this has left for the day & it will repaired only next day. It was very cold in the room during night. I asked for extra blanket. Nothing was given to me. Next morning, I again contacted the staff regarding the hot water. I was ballantly told that there is only one person & he has to look after all the rooms. So your problem will not be solved on priority. The staff told me that there is only one geyser & I should wait for atleast 10 min. I told them that I waited for full 1 hour. Then they told that in the morning time, since lot of people take shower, it is difficult to get hot water. I told them that I checked even at 5 AM. It was the same. The staff was very rude . Finally I contacted the manager of the hotel as it was a waste of time arguing with the staff. The manager promised me that the problem will be solved as early as possible. I went without shower that day. When I returned that evening, I got hot water. Next day passed without problem. But again the same problem on the third day. When I contacted the staff, I was told that there is no problem anywhere else & that the staff has just taken shower with hot water. So I was suggested that I should go to common showers. Finally they changed my room which had hot water, but it was stinking. When I asked for refund, the manager promised the same. But I didn't get it till date.This was really frustrating.
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(Review ID: 2300)
Go elsewhere, October 22, 2003
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I have stayed here twice in June 2003. On the first visit, the hotel was very noisy, with persons playing football (soccer) on the street until 4am, right outside my window. The hotel staff was unfriendly and unhelpful. The room on both visits was clean, however. On the second visit, while the room was in a quieter spot, the en-suite shower honestly smelled like somthing had died in it. When I would run water in the sink it would back up and gurgle in the shower, with a horrible odor. I was moved to another room, but no en-suite facilities despite the fact I had paid for them. The difference in price was not refunded. The public showers were dirty, and the kitchen was frightening. Save yourself the hastle, and go elsewhere.
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(Review ID: 2301)
It isn't that bad.They must've updated or something, July 12, 2003
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I have not used the kitchen myself, but did take a walk down just to see if there was a microwave. To my disappointment there wasn't one, so I haven't been back there since.But as for the reviews about the hostel being dirty, I have not come across that and this is my second week there. They clean the rooms everyday, as I see them cleaning as I walk past all the time while they vacuum and change the bed sheets and wipe down the benches. The showers are ok (hot water is always good), although I would recommend wearing jandals (flip flops, thongs... what ever you call them in your country) in any hostel shower. Plenty of space in the shower to get changed, so there's no need to walk back to your room in a towel. The toilets are ok, apart from the windows right behind them are painted so people outside can't see, but some of the windows have had the pant scratched off, so make sure no one is around when taking a leek.The tv and games room is a bit of a let down as people are allowed to smoke in there. As I am a non-smoker, I don't pay that room a visit too often, but would like to! That room is right next to the front entrance so why can't people just smoke outside?!Breakfast is good, because in another hostel you had to make your own toast (what's up with that?). You get toast (placed nicely in a bread basket), coffee and tea. Orange juice wouldn't go astray don't you think???The staff could be a bit more polite and a smile goes a long way! They don't seem to look as if they enjoy their job, which isn't very comforting when you've just arrived after a long flight or train ride.One key to a room is a bit of a hassle though. Especially when you go up to your room, and your roomies are sleeping and don't hear you knocking at the door a hundred times, so you have to trek back downstairs and get a spare key, then take it back down after you've opened the door. ANNOYING!This place is not disgusting, but the staff do need to be more friendly and smile at least ONCE a day. I would recommend this place if you do NOT want to share a room with 10-18 people, as I've seen at a lot of other hostels. Rooms are clean (I've stayed in 3 so far) and there are no traces of rodents or roaches, as I've seen in reviews with other hostels.But I must agree with another person who reviewed this place... not many kiwis or aussies. I am yet to share a room with another kiwi!If you want to stay a full week, ring up or go there in person and ask about the weekly deal, as it is cheaper than booking 7 days online.
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(Review ID: 2302)
Disgusting avoid unless there is no choice, October 27, 2002
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This is a disgusting place to stay.I aggree with the last review about the Kitchen, someone really should ring the Health department. I have stayed in some places in many countries but this is bad. The showers dont work, kitchen is filthy and the staff extremley un helpful.They will try and charge you£14 a night do not pay it.It is seriously one of the worst, most disgusting places I have ever stayed. Avoid unless left with no choice.
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(Review ID: 2303)
Do not pay Full Price, October 16, 2002
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Do not pay full price for this place. pay the £10 per night. The hostel on Inverness Pl Leaves this for dead and for £14 pounds its worth it. If you get this for £10 do it other wise do not you can do heaps, heaps better.The Kitchen is something out of a 3rd world country. It stinks, and the health dept should be called. I opened the fridge and it smelt like death. I really dont know how it is allowed. There is no Microwave or anything. It is run down and bad. I think its a health hazzardAlso there is no satelite TV that is a lieThe Breakfast kitchen is seperate and that is Goodover all you can do heaps heaps better, but pay no more the £10 a night.
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(Review ID: 2304)
Bit of a shit hole but does the Job, October 10, 2002
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It isnt bad. The price is good, but book over the net. Its cheaper. For £10 a night you cant expect much. Other hostels you pay more but for the money you save here that is your food. The blurb on it is very, very exagerated.There is no cable TV only 4 channels. The showers a dirty,They are Hot though. the Toilets arent that bad. There is a Kitchen but it is disgusting and out of the way, hard to find. the fridge absoluty stinks and you would get Hep A, B and C from the oven if it works. ( so to speak)Saying that the Breakfast kitchen is totally seperate and very good. It goes for a while 930 or 10am.I thinkHostel staff arent very helpful and no little about the things to do and seem to be a bit disorganised.Not many Aussies or Kiwis. They tend to be at hyde park hostel, which from all reports leaves this for dead and is great. But it is £4 dearer per night and that is you food money.£4 per nigth adds up.The area is great and close to trains.For a cheap place to stay until you get on your feet it really hits the mark. However dont expect a huge wild time getting to know people and expect it to be grotty and to buy your food local. Supermarket around the corner.just do things for your self and its a great place to base your selfOver all not bad you pay for what you get. It is convienent and friendly. Aussies and Kiwis really seem to help each other out.That is good. Over all for the Money it is worth it for the short term.
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(Review ID: 2305)
Have you seen the Happiness Hotel from the Muppets?, April 25, 2002
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Kimmy
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Run down building under construction as of May 2001. I stayed in a twin en suite room. These are minimalistic but clean and worth the extra money. The building is in a great location so if you are just looking for a place to sleep and can afford the en suite shower, I recommend. Otherwise, just go to a hostel and get the same quality for less money.
