YHA London St Pauls

The YHA London has a young and cheerful vibe, despite its 18th-century origins and somewhat rundown feel in areas. The property used to house choir boys from the nearby St. Paul's Cathedral, and carved initials in some parts, plus Latin inscriptions on the facade, point to its past. Interiors are a mixed of contemporary and traditional, though everything is simplistic in style. A TV lounge has green walls and sofa cushions, dated brown couches, and an original fireplace next to free-to-borrow books. A dining area has low-hanging lamps, streamlined wooden tables, and black-and-white framed photos. A cobbled outdoor courtyard has picnic tables that have seen better days. There's not a lot to wow guests on-site, but most travelers choose this property for the budget rates and excellent setting near top sights. 

The hostel's side-street location is set back from the buzz of the main road, but just a few minutes' walk from St. Paul's Cathedral, its tube station, and City Thameslink rail station (for direct links to Gatwick Airport). A bus stop is a one-minute walk away, but plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and sights can be reached on foot. The riverside Southbank Centre is a 20-minute walk, as are the Tate Modern, London Eye, and BFI IMAX movie theater. Foodie hotspot Borough Market is a similar distance, as is performing arts center The Barbican. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre is a 10-minute walk. Tube rides take around 12 minutes to reach Oxford Street's shops, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. London City Airport is the closest at 30 minutes by car or public transport, while Gatwick Airport is one hour via a direct train and Heathrow Airport is a similar distance both by car and public transport (although trains are not direct).

In typical hostel fashion, rooms here are simple and minimally furnished. Private rooms and dorms for up to 11 people, including some female-only, are available, and most are tight on space. Private rooms have just a tiny desk and sink with hand soap, while dorms have metal bunk beds, lockers, and typically sinks. Only a handful of rooms have en-suite bathrooms. Green bedding, earth-toned drapes, and occasional blue accent walls add cheerful pops of color to the otherwise no-frills spaces. Individual reading lamps, USB ports, and power sockets are available, though the latter are sparse in group rooms. Luggage lockers come at a fee, as do towels. No air-conditioning, fridges, or Wi-Fi are provided in rooms. Non-working, but original fireplaces in some are a pleasant touch. Note that church bells strike on the hour, and past guests recommend bringing earplugs. Bathrooms are mostly communal, and house stall showers. Toiletries aside from hand soap are not provided, but can be purchased at reception. Hairdryers are free to borrow. 

Features are limited, but sufficient for the value price and considering guests are typically off-site. On the downside, there are no communal kitchen facilities like those found at similar hostels, but an affordable buffet breakfast is available. The spread consists of scrambled eggs, sausages, and baked beans, alongside cereal, pastries, jam, yogurt, and fruit, plus tea and coffee. For dinner, guests can order cooked-to-order burgers, pizzas, and tapas. Snacks and hot beverages can be bought 24/7 in the lounge, while alcoholic drinks such as wine and beer are available until late (midnight during our stay). On-site laundry facilities are at a fee and reception can hold luggage after check-out. Wi-Fi is free only in common areas downstairs.