229 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PN Tube Great Portland Street Bus C2, 88, 453 Tel (020) 7631 8300 Websitewww.ish.org.uk
BUG Review
The ISH is a well-appointed hostel that is set up more like a posh hotel and as such it doesn't offer the social atmosphere that you would normally find in a hostel. It has very good facilities that include the usual kitchen, TV lounge and laundry plus a games room, a gym and a bar. It caters mostly to foreign students who are studying in London and you need to be a student to stay here. It is a very nice place but not really for backpackers.
Price Dorm bed £12-18 Single room £33 Twin room £50
Prices include breakfast Prices are in British pounds and are inclusive of all taxes.
It's all right if you're only using it to sleep at, December 27, 2004
Reviewer:
starrysteph01
Pros:
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Maintenance
(3)
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(3)
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(3)
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(3)
ISH was acceptable.I stayed in a 4-bed. Walls were painted lilac and floor was polished wood. Bunk beds were metal (top is more comfortable). Tube is literally 30-second walk away (go around the back of the station entrance and ISH is in sight). However, I had to connect at Kings Cross every time since all the touristy stuff is mostly on the Piccadilly line (and you have to walk a LOT at Kings Cross station to get to the Picc. line), so Great Portland St. stop (where ISH is) wasn't convenient.Complaints: I had a huge suitcase and was up a few floors. They do not have an elevator.No breakfast was included.I don't know exactly what numbers DO work for the telephones in the rooms, but phonecards do NOT work. The red phonebox doesn't work for phonecards either.. you have to queue at yet another phone right next to it (the phonecard finally worked at this one).Common room didn't attract a lot of people. Overall, the place was pretty quiet when I went in December.
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(Review ID: 2651)
Great place to stay in London, July 25, 2004
Reviewer:
Zebra8
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Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
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(5)
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(5)
I stayed here for 5 nights and it was a pleasant stay. At 12 pounds, it gives incredible value for what you get.The place is located in a wealthy neighborhood close to Regent Park. There is a tube station right across the street with stores and bars close by.The dorm was clean and secure. You get a keycard to access two sets of residence doors in addition to your room! There are no lockers, but I left my backpack in my room without worry.The bathrooms were fine. Free towel is included. You also get a voucher for 15min free internet access when you check in and a 2 for 1 voucher for drinks at the bar.There was no free breakfast, but there is a cafeteria in the basement that offers reasonable prices. They also offer lunch and supper meals. Self-serve laundry services are also available onsite.The only negative for me was that there was a group of young teens during my stay who made quite some noise late at night.Overall though, this is definitely one of the best values you can get and I would recommend this place without hesitation.
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(Review ID: 2652)
I think this is the BEST value in London, February 26, 2004
Reviewer:
Skagen
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(5)
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(5)
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(5)
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(5)
I stay in hostels every time I'm in London and I think this is one the best overall value so far. I stayed this month (Febuary 2004) and paid £12/night for a dorm bed.First the location is great, being close to Regents park (tremendously beautiful to spend time in), Oxford St, Euston Station. There is a Tube and bus stop (Great Portland Street) just a few feet out the front door. Also, its not too far from the Camden area, so I was able to walk about 25 mins up to the great Camden Market.I paid £12 and got a bunk in a dorm room in the basement of this hostel ("Room 31"). I was a bit apprehensive about the basement, but once I got there it was fine, decent air and light and very clean.Uniquely for a London hostel, I found the bathrooms/toilets here to be in pristine and clean condition. Frankly I was shocked after so many bad experiences in London hostels. This was in the basement,BTW I don't know what the others were like.The guests were quite diverse and all very nice people that I met. A lot of young people, but much more mature than the type of crowd you see at the Generator for example. Its also not overrun with Aussies/Kiwis/SA's like the Earls Court area Hostels, which was refreshing.This hostel has no kitchen, so that is one drawback. I didn't try the food they serve.They do give you a coupon for 15 mins free internet, which was nice.They also give you a coupon for "buy one, get one free" drink in their bar. If you are there with someone else, its a good deal. If you go alone, like I did, to catch on my diary and watch a game on TV - its abit of a rip off on the coupon. Why. Because the make you take noth drinks at the same time! The free beer is therfore useless -becasue its warm by the time you get to it!! Thumbs down to them on that one.I wouldn't use their bar anyway,there are two great bars outside across Great Portland Street that were much more fun.Another on the negative side is that they charge you (£1)to store your bags for the day - some hostels do this free. For that fee, they keep them until 8pm at night when the baggage room closes.Overall though, this hostel was excellent value at £12 on a weekend night. Even though no kitchen, it was fine with me since I was generally not around in the afternoon/evening. I would gladly go back to this place - very good value for money!
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(Review ID: 2653)
Good Location, Acceptable Price, Well-Organized, January 2, 2004
Reviewer:
T
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n/a
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Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
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(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
First of all, this is basically a dorm for students, so there seemed to be many residents there. I found many cheaper hostels in central London, but these places looked packed with noisy people. That's why I chose this hostel.This hostel was not so noisy, maybe because you need to pay a bit more. I payed 18 pounds for a stay in 4 bedded room. Free breakfast was not so bad, you can have coffee, toast, pastry, or some English breakfast things. The location is nice, within walking distance from Oxford Circus and Regents Park. The only problem was a shower. It's a bit old, though it was clean and hot water came out, at least.I also stayed at St.Pancras YH, which is one of the cleanest and newest, and most expensive hostels in London, and its facility and breakfast were perfect.If I've got enough money, I'd rather stay at St.Pancras, but if I want to save money for shopping or going out, this ISH is one of the best options, I think.
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(Review ID: 2654)
compared to the other place, this was heaven, April 22, 2003
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Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
I would've given it 3 stars if I hadn't had to move to a different hostel. See, I thought this place was just ok but after 4 nights, I moved to this other place(Leinster Inn..... do NOT go there) which was a nightmare. I was constantly looking for a hidden camera or something because I was convinced it had to be a practical joke. It was really that bad. Anyhow, back to the ISH.For the first 2 nights I stayed in the dorm and it had its own ensuite and it was clean. Ok, it was shabby but hey, it's London. Prices were good(12 GBP I believe) and it was VERY close the the Great Portland tubestation and I felt safe walking around the area at night. It is also a short stroll from the Oxford Street. Location was the best thing about this hostel I think. The 4-bedded rooms were more expensive and actually much worse than the dorms so book early and get the dorms. Security was also good and I liked that - having had things stolen from my dorm before.....I can difinitely recommend it - unless you want to party. Then go to the Generator which is also excellent.
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(Review ID: 2655)
Decent location & Price...facilities a bit worn, April 16, 2003
Reviewer:
fdm
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Maintenance
(3)
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(3)
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(3)
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(3)
I stayed at Great Portland Street the 1st week of April. I stayed in a couple different rooms so I feel I really know the place. I felt the hostel was worth the money I paid: 18 pounds for a 4-bed room and 12 pounds for a 6-bed room. The place could use some updating...carpets, bathroom fixtures, walls have all seen their best days.The place was full of high school aged groups some of whom were VERY rowdy late at night. The location is a little out of the way if you want a bustling Notting Hill type area. However, it's directly across the street from a tube station that includes the Circle line and that goes everywhere. Also, it's just a short walk to Marlyborne area and the British Museum area.The staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The key card system is great for all hours access. I would recommend this hostel.
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(Review ID: 2656)
Good value for Central London, March 14, 2003
Reviewer:
David Ferrett
( dferrett@yahoo.co.uk)
from U.K.
Pros:
n/a
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Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Rooms were clean and comfortable, Staff were in general helpful and friendly. The use of electronic key cards is a good idea ensuring easy access and security. There was one problem however. I found myself the only male in a female dormitory! I am still unsure whether this was a mistake or not. When the matter was brought to the attention of the staff, one person said it was a mistake and would be rectified, but another staff member claimed there was no error, but it was because I booked through an agency, and not with the hostel direct. Despite this I intend to try another visit.
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(Review ID: 2657)
Not really for backpackers, September 5, 2002
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Anonymous
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Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
We stayed at ISH for 8 days this past summer. The place is overrun with loud and young student groups. Besides this younger lot, most guests seem to be either students or those using ISH as a base while they hunt for a flat. As such, backpackers might feel unwelcome and/or awkward in some of the common areas (as we did). Additionally, the lack of a backpacker focus results in a staff with little knowledge about London and the area immediately surrounding ISH. The price for a bed is decent as far as London goes, but price for a double room is a rip off... it's just twice the price of a single. The lack of cooking facilities is a pain. I heard from some other travellers that the meals at ISH are gross. Fortunately, the hostel is conveniently located near Drummond Street (where _many_ reasonably-priced Indian restaurants are located). Finally, ISH's severe rules about single sex rooms were extremely frustrating for my boyfriend and I who were travelling together. We risked a heavy fine of 20 GBP if I stepped foot into the large male dorm room to tell him I was going somewhere. This is _not_ the place to stay if you are travelling with someone of the opposite sex (unless you can afford the very hefty price for a 2-person room). We spent a lot of our mornings waiting for the other person to wake up simply because we couldn't go near each other's rooms. The building was also unbearably hot for the entire length of our stay (even on days when it was cold outside). Internet use is expensive at the hostel. Finally, the service is annoyingly slow. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to check out in the morning.
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(Review ID: 2658)
so nice, but then, June 17, 2002
Reviewer:
Cate
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saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
We booked into a four person room and were quite impressed with the largish room, the sink in the corner and the general cleanliness and security (you must open about three doors with your electronic key before you get to your room). The first night was fine, although the showers were a bit sketchy.The second night, the staff booked a young man in our room by mistake. My travel partner flipped out and complained to the management who offered to let her find another hostel. This wouldn't have been such a big deal if they had not done everything but ask for chromosomal proof that my friend and I were both women when we made our initial reservation for a room together. The staff were unprepared to deal with their mistake, and were subsequently unhelpful several days later when my friend tried to contact them about an item that had gone missing from her bag that she thought might still be at the hostel.This hostel is clean, nice and has a nice bar. We talked to lots of people who live there long term or people who live there on weekends or days off from work where they live in. That said, the staff was less than friendly when they made a mistake and although it is a nice place, I'm not sure I would stay there again for the price they charged.
