17 Longridge Road, Earls Court, London SW5 Tube Earls Court Bus C1, C3, 74, 328 Tel (020) 7370 5213 Websitewww.barmybadger.com
BUG Review
Although nothing special, the Barmy Badger is a good value hostel with decent facilities and a good atmosphere. It has a small TV lounge and a good kitchen plus a back garden with a barbecue.
Price Dorm bed £16-17 Double/twin room £36 Prices are in British pounds and are inclusive of all taxes.
I had a great time at the badgers a few years ago, Ken and Liz do there utmost to make you feel welcome. I made friends that I still keep in touch with today. I also was fortunate enough to first try out the new showers!! Bliss, nothing like a good shower in London!! I also met my husband there, when we lived there, there were major refurbishments going on and we were glad to see them improve and grow!! For all the other winers on this site, get with it your a backpacker for gods sake!!
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(Review ID: 2340)
disapointed dont think so !!!!, December 11, 2005
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Anonymous
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my wife and i stayed @the badger for 5 nights we had heard good things on the our travelles ,we booked in we were not disapointed we booked to late and there was no double room left so we ended in a 4 person dorm the room was good beds not bad and there was a clean bathroom in the room i did venture into one of the comunial bathrooms and you know what that was clean it even smelt good (plenty of toilet paper ) there are quite a few longturmers there but we had no trouble getting along with every one . The brekie could do with some work but it is free and it is a nice touch to give out free tea and coffie all the time . the staff are great nothing they could not do to help us navagate around london and answer all are million and one questions . good on ya jean and liz you are doing a good job keep it up !!! jerry and karen starling
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(Review ID: 2341)
I wouldnt even give it one star, December 10, 2005
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Anonymous
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DO NOT STAY AT HE BARMY BADGER!!!!!! We to were fooled by untrue reviews. The renovations have not been done! The place is rundown and needs serious work. The bathrooms are dirty and small. The beds are uncomfortable and dirty the sheets are stained and have cigarette burns in them. Also we returned from a job interview one day and our room had been entered for bug spraying without our consent. They threw our stuff all over the floor NOT HAPPY! The breakfast is great if you enjoy expired milk and stale cornflakes! And the giant tubs of margarine and i think its meant to be strawberry jam are disgusting to say the least. Steer clear of the Badger.
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1 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2342)
WELL SITUATED BUT LITTLE ELSE, September 29, 2005
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Anonymous
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I stayed here earlier on in 2005 and had an average time. I did find the owner Ken nice and helpful but the actual room itself was less than desirable. The mattresses on the beds were cracked and flimsy and the bed sheets were see through they were so thin! I shudder to think what the stains are on them! After travelling for 7 months I found the people in this hostel the most unfriendly out of any hostel I've stayed in. The long termers think they own the place and are best avoided. And yes I attempted to make conversation but my own country persons brushed me off! The brekkie will hardly fill you, and make sure you get up early so you have bread to go with your jam, not just jam!
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2 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2343)
Friendly, convenient home-base, September 20, 2005
Reviewer:
Justin
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I used the Barmy as my home-base for one week last spring. I found the location convenient as I had meetings about 20 minutes away and I enjoyed relaxing in the nearby parks afterward.Most of the guests are long-term residents from Australia. I found the atmosphere friendly and inviting. One guest who had been there for nearly 2 years had some great tips on fun things to see and do in London.Pros:- reasonable price (weekly rate is very good for London)- clean rooms- *solid* wood bunk-beds (these don't squeek at all - thank you!)- ample washrooms (both ensuite and outside the rooms)- kitchen area (many UK hostels don't have this)- exceptionally outgoing and helpful ownerCons:- the small backyard is disappointing (this could be a very nice place to chill out with a little effort. turf the barbeque.)- bunk-beds are stacked 3 levels high (just have to get used to it)I would recommend the Barmy. Other reviews (including those to follow) that either slam or glorify the hostel are almost certainly not legitimate. Book in for a night, then decide if you want to stay longer. The tube is 2 minutes away if you want to go somewhere else.
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2 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2344)
dont stay here... stay at merlyn court instead, August 28, 2005
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dont stay here
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Hi,this place is awful. i was supposed to stay here for 2 nights, but when we went up to inspect a 4 people room, the room was literally 6 feet X 6 feet, with cramped bunk beds and bedsheets and pillows that look like there are period stains on it. also, you are required to put bedsheets that are lying on the floor in the "lobby" (more like cramped hallway that you can barely get your luggage through) and put them on the period stained sheets yourselves. basically, this place is gross and you can stay in a hostel/"hotel" for the same price. also, the guy at the front desk or whoever runs this place posts his own positive reviews on this website, so do not be deceived. we were made to pay one night's worth, but did not even stay there at all. instead, we walked down the street to merlyn court, which fortunately had a room for the exact same price, and was 100000 X's nicer. try the hotels nearby, they are small, but nice and well-run by nice and personable people.
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4 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2345)
A NIGHTMARE!! Don't be Fooled by Bogus Reviews, July 16, 2005
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Anonymous
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I was fooled by these bogus reviews and thought the place would at least be acceptable. What a MISTAKE and will continue to regret it the rest of my life!!The place is so filthy and run down, not to say it was NEVER refurbished (unlike how it is beautifully described on the hostel website) . It could use MAJOR refurbishment. The drapes are falling apart and the bathrooms are nasty. The mattresses, bed covers and sheets are full of stains and so worn out that they remind me of homeless people belongings. I would not want to touch them, let alone sleep in them. A bunk on top of a bunk with less than a foot apart, one will be suffocated and I don't know how one can slide one's body into the bottom bunk. Don't even consider turning at night, one will hit the top bunk. It is the most unfriendly hostel with punitive and threatening warnings and signs everywhere (like if you do not clean up, your passport with your name and picture will be posted everywhere, etc..etc.). The only hostel that would request you to make your own bed and touch those filthy mattresses and bring down the stain covered, worn out sheets when you leave . Breakfast consists of a loaf of bread which has been laying around in the kitchen uncovered for days. HORRIBLE!! By far the worst hostel during my entire europe trip and their licence for business should be confiscated by authorities in my opinion. Ken the owner should not be allowed to stay in business to cheat customers. It is ILLEGAL. Any hostel is BETTER than this one by far. A NIGHTMARE!!!!
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4 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2346)
There when it first opened in 97, still see people now, April 8, 2004
Reviewer:
Daniel Noyce
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I was there when it first opened, everyone was a long time stayer. We were like one big family. I am still friends with some of the people I meet now, and have nothing but the greatest memories of the place. I knew no one when I got to the UK and left with a lot of friends from all over the world. I moved out a couple of times, to always end up moving back in, for 2 years. Very special place.
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11 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2347)
refurbished???????A place I will never forget :-(, April 4, 2004
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Anonymous
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not refurbished,bad breakfast,rooms dirty....not a very nice place to stayp.s.: but some people were nice ...cheap
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5 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 2348)
Go the Badgers, March 6, 2004
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A place I will never forget and am sure to visit again. If you were shy and quiet before, well you won't be after you leave this place. Partying goes off! Sad to leave especially after making so many friends, but I know I will always keep in contact with them aswell as the owners and management at the Badger. I was glad when I first got to London I didnt book myself into one of those dodgy backpackers, this place is clean, friendly and they look after you. Go The Badgers!
