No Right Click
HOSTELS
YHA hostels (www.yha.org.uk), found in Earls Court, St Pancras Int'l,
Oxford St, Holland Hse, City, Rotherhithe (Docklands) and Hampstead Heath, along
with over 200 in England and Wales - Call 0207-836 8541 or drop into the YHA
Adventure Shop in Covent Garden. Alternatively, buy The Independent Hostel Guide
for the UK and Ireland for information on these privately run hostels.
There are loads of Kiwis in London, and loads of hostels to accommodate them, the majority
located in the West End, and North of Hyde Park – very convenient. Most are
arranged into dormitories (up to 10 bunk beds in each), but some also offer
single and double rooms for a higher charge. Prices tend to go up in the summer,
but even in the ritziest hostels (is there such a thing?!) you shouldn’t be
paying more than £20 per night. This will usually include the price of locker
hire. However unfriendly or paranoid it may seem to lock up all your possessions
every night, you really should, as a huge number of people pass through hostels
every day. The hostel may also charge a nominal fee for storing your giant
backpack in the day while you’re off out sightseeing. Most offer discounts for
bookings of a week or more.
If you’re lucky, breakfast will be included in the price – cereal and toast
are standard. If they charge, it will probably still be cheaper than most cafes,
so take advantage. Many hostels these days also offer internet access, laundry
and TV rooms and jobs and travel notice boards. There may also be self-catering
facilities. One of the best things is that they play host to lots of other Kiwis
like you – they’re a good place for socialising and gathering
info about London. If you’re travelling alone, don’t be shy – get stuck
in!
It makes sense to book at least your first night’s accommodation before you
leave home. Privately-owned hostels tend to be more
easy-going and individual. The Astor chain is one of the biggest – find them
at Astorhostels. Also check out St-Christophers,
Hostelwatch,
UKhostels,
Bookhostels, Hotelguide,
All-hotels, Leisurehunt, Hostelseurope.
GUESTHOUSES AND B&B'S
They are essentially cheap hotels. Unlike hostels
they do not have self-catering facilities, and often provide 'bed and breakfast'
as a complete package.
Prices for single rooms start from £15. Expect to pay more for ensuite
facilities. Phone the relevant tourist centre for information. If you're into
camping, you should join the Camping and Caravan Club. For an annual fee, you
will receive a guide listing over 3,000 approved sites in the UK.
B’n’Bs/Low-end
Hotels
The standard of these places
varies enormously, from grand converted Victorian villas with en suite
facilities to pretty skanky adjuncts next to family homes. £30 a night should
secure you a fairly nice place, though this estimate is based on two people
sharing. Advantages over hostels include privacy, peace and quiet, and bigger
breakfasts. But there won’t be facilities such as Internet access, and you
won’t meet nearly so many people. And as many are family homes, there are
likely to be curfews, and a general expectation that you’ll behave yourselves.
Which could well be the last thing you feel like doing.
Earl’s Court, Shepherd’s Bush, Paddington and Bayswater are areas teeming
with B ‘n’ Bs and guesthouses, and have served as a base for travellers from
the Southern hemispheres for over three decades. You could probably wander up
Shepherd’s Bush Road and find yourself a bed for the night in 10 minutes. But,
as with hostels, it makes sense to book in advance. Many B’n’Bs now have
their own websites like UKhostels
or try Backpackers,
Thebackpacker,
Bakpaka.
USEFUL
LINKS
