Smart Camden Inn Hostel

I spent a couple of nights here recently for a Camden festival, in a 10-man dorm. It was £35, and there’s 10% off a return stay. The location’s excellent, with shops, bars, restaurants and cafés nearby, and the place is quiet enough, just off the main track. Staff were friendly. The room and bathroom were clean, and my bed was standard comfort and roomy. I’m 6'5" and didn’t feel boxed in. The pod-style bunks don’t shake when someone climbs up, and there’s a reading light in each bunk. A locker is provided, but bring your own lock. You can buy toothpaste and brushes, and breakfast is available for an extra charge. The shower water warms up quickly. There’s a common room with lounge and TV areas for eating and drinking, an outdoor communal area and a shared toilet. A few downsides: doors and tight stairways are unavoidably noisy at night, the bathroom and shower are tiny, and towels cost extra. There’s no personal charging point in the bunk, though some shared outlets are available in the room, with more in the communal area and reception. I enjoyed the stay and would come back.

I’ve stayed at several hostels in London, and Smart Camden Inn has been the best one so far. The reception managers are a kind, understanding couple, and I really appreciated their service and presence. The rest of the reception team help make the 24/7 desk possible too. The common areas are spacious and lovely, with a workspace, TV room, outdoor seating, laundry, kitchen and dining area. Dorm beds have individual curtains. I’d highly recommend it to travellers who need a workspace and expect to spend time at the residence during their booking. Thank you, Angela :)

We arrived late after going to a match at the Emirates, and check-in was no problem. The room was small but fine for the price. Our window faced the street, so it was noisy, but reception supplied complimentary ear plugs. With those in, you could barely tell. It was perfect for what we paid.

The staff were friendly and the amenities were fine, but the room and bed weren't clean enough. Cooking smells from the kitchen kept filling the lounge and TV area, so it was hard to relax. The blanket covers didn't seem to be changed regularly, which felt unhygienic. I hope they start replacing them after every checkout.