Life's A Picnic

Win luxury hampers plus Waitrose vouchers & guidebooks

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

From Times Online

May 19, 2008

Britain's top 10 hostels

City locations, roof top terraces, bathrobes, hot tubs, gyms - hostelling isn't what it used to be...

You need Flash Player 8 or higher to view video content with the ROO Flash Player. Click here to download and install it.

Ginny McGrath

View a gallery of the top 10 hostels in Britain

Independent travellers and backpackers who use the hostel booking site, www.hostelworld.com, have voted these bargain bolt holes their top ten in Britain over the last 12 months. Forget boutique beauties that stretch your wallet, bunk down at these hot spots for a cheap night's stay without the bedbugs...

1. Meininger City Hostel and Hotel, London

The 4-star hostel is in a prime spot in South Kensington next to the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. It was awarded the 2007 Bronze Prize for Best Hostel by VisitLondon and offers something for everyone - whether on a family, business or social trip.

With seminar rooms, air conditioning, rooms equipped with televisions and private bathrooms, and a rooftop terrace with spectacular London views, this hostel is full of surprises.

2. Albatross, Newcastle

The award-winning Albatross Hostel was originally a bank and is more than 150 years old. It still retains its old charm, having opened as a backpackers in 2006.

This clean and modern hostel is positioned in one of the best locations in Newcastle within walking distance of the top tourist attractions.

3. Palmers Lodge, London

Victorian elegance at a budget price - Palmers Lodge is one of the country's most beautiful hostels. Built in 1881 and the former home of Samuel Palmer of the Huntley and Palmers biscuit empire, this substantial house has been restored to its original glory to offer guests a unique experience.

The winner of multiple hostel industry awards, Palmers Lodge offers spacious private rooms and dormitories as well as free internet access and daily breakfast. A tour desk, restaurant, lounge area and bar with flat screen TVs is also available in this high standard hostel.

4. Central Backpackers, Oxford

Page 1 of 2

Why do all these articles only show the big chain hostels in the UK. The small indie hostels such as the ones in Birmingham, Nottingham and chester always get overlooked. These type of hostels are always more fun, more personal and have great staff. Why not review the smaller places which are better

linda, Dover, New Hampshire, USA

Hostelworld is a good booking site. I also use hostelbookers. You have a good range of hostels and I have managed to travel to many of them in the UK and Europe. By far the best hostel is Birmingham Central Backpackers, not a hip city in many peoples eyes but it should be.

Toby Ricjovik, Melbourne, UK

HostelWorld has a reasonable range of London hostels, but another website TravelStay.com has a far bigger selection which includes all kinds of budget accommodation, from hostels, to budget hotels to summer university accommodation.

Lara K, Milton Keynes, UK

Surely this should have been ENGLAND'S top 10 hostels, to judge by the list.

Elaine Benes, New York,