A six-minute walk from Holborn station with Piccadilly and Central line connections
Within a five-minute walk of Russell Square, the British Museum, and the University of London
Communal kitchen with dishwasher, oven, and refrigerator
Free cereal, toast, and spreads provided for breakfast
Dorms and private rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Washer and dryer for guest use
Small rooms with dated decor
Some rooms have shared bathrooms
Temperamental showers with poor water pressure and drainage issues
Pickwick Hall is a two-pearl hostel for tourists and students looking for cheap accommodation in the Bloomsbury area. Guests are a six-minute walk to Holborn station with direct Piccadilly line connections to Heathrow Airport. Accommodations include a limited number of private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, but most are dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms. Decor is a bit hodgepodge, but that's not unusual at this budget price. Extras include a shared lounge area with satellite TV, free continental breakfast, a full communal kitchen, and a washer and dryer for guest use. For a more contemporary hostel, consider the comparable YHA London Central.
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Scene
Hostel for travelers on a budget
Pickwick hall guests are a combination of students and tourists traveling on a shoestring budget. From the exterior, the Georgian-style building looks grand but as guests enter the hostel it's clear that the structure's former features have been compromised for dorm-style functionality. The lounge room is a cluster of conflicting ideas, with formal pinstriped curtains, saggy mismatched cushions on outdoor style loungers, and randomly placed office chairs. There's a huge book exchange and framed photographs of London's landmarks on the walls. The more streamlined, and fully-equipped kitchen is the social hub of the hostel, with communal cooking facilities for guests, a large window that looks out onto a lush green garden, and handsome dark-wood breakfast tables. This definitely isn't a party hostel, but guests often gather amenably in the kitchen.
Location
Within walking distance of the Cartoon Museum, the Museum of Comedy, and the British Museum
Located on a quiet street lined with other Georgian town houses, Pickwick Hall is a four-minute walk to the British Museum and a 15-minute walk to markets and restaurants in Covent Garden. Theater enthusiasts are within walking distance of the West End, and guests with an interest in literature are a 12-minute walk from the Charles Dickens Museum, the author's former residence. Holborn Station is a six-minute walk from the hostel and one stop on the Central line to Oxford Circus for shopping. Guests are an 11-minute taxi ride from Soho for London nightlife with a selection of pubs, clubs, and cocktail bars for an evening tipple.
Rooms
Both private and dorm-style rooms
Pickwick Hall's low budget rooms are dated, with hodgepodge wooden furniture, white walls, and a lackluster sense of style. Guests can choose from one of three private rooms with an en-suite bathroom or opt for a less expensive dorm-style room with shared bathroom facilities. Each room is equipped with free Wi-Fi, a refrigerator, and a microwave. Both towels and fresh linens are provided for all guests. Bathrooms are dated with fickle water temperatures and unpredictable drains. Toiletries are not provided.
Features
A microwave and refrigerator in each room and a self-catering kitchen to boot
Staff at Pickwick Hall are fluent in English, Spanish, and French. All bookings include a free continental breakfast of cereal and toast, and there's a fully- equipped kitchen that's open to guests for storing food and cooking their own meals. Clean and functioning appliances include a dishwasher, stove, oven, refrigerator, and several coffeemakers. The communal lounge room has a satellite TV and a jump-on computer with high-speed Internet. Wi-Fi is free and printing facilities are available via reception. A washer and dryer is available on-site for guests' use. There is no on-site parking.
