Housed in a beautiful Victorian manor house full of original features
Minutes' walk from Swiss Cottage Tube which is a few stops from central London
Set in attractive North London neighborhood of Hampstead
Common spaces include a gorgeous reading room, bright conservatory, and outdoor terrace
Shared bathrooms are kept particularly clean
On-site restaurant and bar serves breakfast and evening meals
Bunk beds have privacy curtains and reading lamps
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Laundry on-site
Some rooms can feel gloomy or dark
Shared bathrooms get busy at peak times
Common areas can lack sociable "hostel" vibe
Few amenities such as a gym or true business center
Set in an elegant 19th-century manor house, Palmers Lodge is a far cry from the usual London hostel. Interiors are impressive and period features are very well maintained, though some areas can feel a little dark and can lack a sociable vibe. Privacy curtains in bunks are a real plus, and the nearby Tube station provides easy access to the city center. Rates are pretty good for a London hostel, though if you'd prefer somewhere more central, check out the YHA Central London.
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Scene
Hostel property in an elegant Victorian manor house
Housed in a splendid Victorian manor house, the Palmers Lodge immediately stands out from what you may expect from hostel accommodation. An elegant red-brick facade greets visitors and sets the 19th-century character that continues throughout the property. The lobby is a superbly maintained space full of ornate period detailing and a beautifully-carved wooden latticed ceiling -- while also displaying all the usual contemporary trappings of a hostel from guidebooks to free maps. Original elements and historical pieces can be found along the stairs and hallways, including a suit of medieval armor. Despite all the Victoriana, there are still plenty of modern touches and the mood is laid-back, attracting a mixture of students, backpackers, and budget travelers.
Location
Set in the well-heeled North London neighborhood of Hampstead, a few Tube stops from the center
This hostel is located in the heart of the attractive and well-heeled London suburb of Hampstead in the north of the capital. The nearest Tube station is Swiss Cottage, a couple minutes' walk away, which connects to central London's Oxford Street in just a few stops. Trendy Camden Town is under 10 minutes away by cab, while the lush green expanse of Hampstead Heath is a bit less. Paddington Station is 15 minutes away by car, which connects directly to Heathrow Airport.
Rooms
Bunk beds built in period styling with privacy curtain and reading lamp
The hostel has 33 rooms and dormitories, which are all different shapes and sizes and offer various combinations from private triple rooms to 28-bed mixed dorms. Most have bunk beds, built in the period style of the property, and all include lockable storage, bed linens, privacy curtains, and reading lights. Due to the nature of the building, some rooms are a little dark and old wooden floors can be creaky. Dorm bathrooms are shared and kept particularly clean, while some rooms provide en-suite facilities.
Features
Plenty of common areas to chill out and check e-mail
A 2014 renovation is evident in the well-presented bar/restaurant area, which serves continental breakfast each morning and dinner in the evenings. A large reading room replete with period touches is a relaxing place to hang out, while the sunny conservatory and outdoor terraces also provide spots to mingle. Wi-Fi is available free throughout the property and there is also a laundry on-site.
