261-265 Grays Inn Road, London WC1 Tube Kings Cross St Pancras Train Kings Cross, St Pancras Bus 17, 45, 46 Tel (020) 7833 9400 Websitewww.ashleehouse.co.uk
BUG Review
Ashlee House is a great hostel with a stylish décor and a hip atmosphere. Some dorms are large (the biggest has 16 beds) but the whole place is brightly painted, well maintained and has nice lounge areas.
Price Dorm bed £13-19 Single room £35-37 Twin room £46-50
Prices include breakfast Prices are in British pounds and are inclusive of all taxes.
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Reception Open 24 hours
Book Ashlee House
No booking fee when you book Ashlee House online through BUG
Pros:
Nice Facilities (big kitchen and commons room), Decent breakfast included
Cons:
Not helpful at all. They screwed up our reservations. Bathrooms weren't great, either.
nra2183
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Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(3)
I was very disappointed in the Ashlee House. I booked a mixed room for two nights. When we arrived we were told I had booked a female dorm. However, upon review of my confirmation e-mail, it states that I did indeed book a mixed dorm room. I was told they had room in a mixed dorm bedroom (the one we had booked in the first place), and that we would sort everything out tomorrow. The next day, we were told that they were full and had no rooms for us. They all but kicked us out after that. We were given a list of hostels and then told they would need our linens. They made no attempt to tell us how to get to any hostels, check to see which hostels had available rooms, or even point us to the nearest telephone. I wasn't expecting them to book another room or hostel for us, but I at least thought they would give us some time to get our stuff together and help us figure out where we needed to go. We ended up heading to Journeys hostel nearby. I would definitely pick Journeys over Ashlee House.
Pros:
offers advice on lesser known things to do in London
Cons:
on a very noisy road
jj
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(3)
i had heard lots of good things about ashlee house but must admit that i felt it was a bit overrated. the staff are friendly, the reception area looks very cool, and the blackboard offers alternative things to do in london, etc. however grays inn road is an incredibly busy road and the building is old with no double glazing, so getting a good nights sleep is a difficult thing. the room i was in was a four bed and was very cramped with no lamps or lockers to stash your stuff. there is a kitchen but you must pay a deposit for a cutlery/plate/cup/bowl pack, but with no lockers it would be difficult to store it. the kings cross area is a bit sketchy but it is close to the tube and national rail. the facilities were clean, but its just needs to go beyond some bright paint.
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1 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 640)
Expect nothing and be pleasantly surprised, July 31, 2006
Pros:
The location in london. The kitchen/dining area
Cons:
Toilets and showers too small and not clean enough
somerton
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
LOCATION- Central but away from tourist traps.
BOOKING- Easy to use website. Make note of your booking reference number or print the page.
CHECK-IN: Complete payment and collect bed linen. Hire eating utensils if required (deposit £5).
ROOMS- Clean and adequate but somewhat small.
KITCHEN- Clean, good size, well equipped,downstairs.
SHOWERS- Small and private cubicle but needs upgrading.
TOILETS- Small, dull and smelly.
INTERNET ROOM- Small, work tops too high for comfort.
LOUNGE- Small, drinks machine, games, music, sofas,noisy.
STAFF- Not clearly identifiable.
SECURITY- Door codes, safe and luggage room in reception.
CLIENTELLE- international, many languages spoken.
SUMMARY
Showers and toilets are a big let down. The location is great but be careful when out alone at night. Within easy reach of Heathrow airport in under an hour. Check in after 2:30pm and check out before 10am. You get what you pay for but very adequate hostel accommodation.
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5 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2431)
Did not know what to expect, November 9, 2004
Reviewer:
jonhostelviews
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Mixed reviews from this site, left me not sure what to expect of Ashlee House.My thoughts:Disagree with the winging Aussie, the rooms are probably the weakest part of the hostels package. Maybe 1-2 to many beds in the rooms and annoyingly other guests like to keep the windows closed, which restricted fresh air intake. Thought the price ok.The strongest points are the common rooms, self-catering kitchen and cheap internet. I hate smokers as well, so thankfully the non smoking reception lounge (strange sheep skin couches) was were I held base. The basement lounge is smoking, which keeps the Europeans happy. The little card they receptionists gives at check-in is a great idea. Loads of local info on it. The receptionist are a mixed bag, ranging from surly to very helpful. Would suggest hiring at least one Londoner, instead of all European staff. Though I guess most of the guests are European, which to be honest is nice as you get a mix of backpackers and people in London for short breaks.Location is spot on. A sign at King's Cross would be hepful.
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2 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2432)
Nothing special about this place, September 30, 2004
Reviewer:
travel_kamikaze80
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
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(1)
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(1)
The rooms are the nicest part of this place, though they are just average. The staff are not very pleasant, the only lounge area is a smoking area, you have to walk through the smoking area to the kitchen which is pretty smokey. The bathrooms were not inviting but they were upgrading them at the time.Be warned about long term guest in this place. There have been quite a few things stolen from rooms.
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(Review ID: 2433)
Acceptable I guess, May 17, 2004
Reviewer:
gilolah
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
I only stayed here one night on my way home, but it was just acceptable. I found it hard to find the showers/toilets and had to go down one floor to use them. The rooms were pretty small, but clean enough. Breakfast was adequate - toast and cereal and tea/coffee. I wouldn't rave about this place but it's ok if you need a place to stay for a couple of nights.
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1 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2434)
Private showers..about time!, April 15, 2004
Reviewer:
David Tyler
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Stayed here last May. Have to say the showers sucked big time. I like a nice hot private shower after a long flight. I'm not that modest but... Anyway I stayed at Ashlee last week, as it is close to the British Library. This time the shower rooms have been remodelled. Yes, a private modern shower pod...ahh that's what we need...Maybe swipe cards should be installed for security instead of annoying codes!
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3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2435)
On balace pretty good., February 18, 2004
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
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Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
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(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
We stopped over recently at Ashlee House, London.The other reviews seem to cover most of the pros and cons of the place. Just wanted to add its worth paying an extra £2 for a 10 bed room. We practically had the room to ourselves. (4 girls). Like the idea of female only rooms as well and they should have more. Though it was interesting chatting to the French and Australian guys in the chill-out Lounge..it was also nice to not have to share a room with them!The mad Irish guy who does the breakfast is was loads of fun. Well run and efficient and plenty of character, which to me is essential.I'd probably stay again when we visit London again.
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(Review ID: 2436)
London has far better hostels, February 18, 2004
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Anonymous
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Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
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(2)
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(2)
My partner and I stayed here after reading the reviews on this website. We specifically requested a double room but were only given a room with a bunker bed without being informed. The rooms are smaller than average. The bed, and all furnishing in the room are abit worn out. The shower hot water temperature cannot be controlled - the knob is disabled and the management decides what temperature you should shower in. We froze in our shower. The ratio of shower and W.C to the number of rooms is low. You may not find a WC or shower when you need it. The WCs are dirty. The reason being they are cleaned once but the number of people using it and the type of crowd means they don't get long to get dirty again. The price may seemed attractive at first but after speaking to many people in London, there are many better places in stay in the vicinity that is in that price range. Location is about 5mins walk to the underground station.
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(Review ID: 2437)
I would recommend this place, January 28, 2004
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Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
We stayed here in early Jan. in a small (and expensive) twin room. That aside, this hostel turned out to be one of our favorites. The rooms and bathrooms were clean, the place was quiet, and a good breakfast was included. The staff was very kind and helpful too. The location was great as well: very close to a tube station, cheap eats, laundry, and markets. Though the room was a bit cramped, it is a great place to rest and renew your energy.
