YHA London Thameside - Hostel

UPDATE: your email doesn’t work, typical…see photo. I couldn’t stay at YHA London Thameside after being threatened by a group of masked people near Canada Water’s shopping centre, a busy and popular area, about two hours before check-in. I was 16 and travelling alone, so I didn’t feel safe and went home to my dad. I tried calling the hostel before cancelling to explain, but no one answered and I couldn’t sort it out by phone. I cancelled because of the safety concern, but still haven’t received a refund. I also emailed about 1-2 weeks ago. I know there are cancellation policies, but this was a real safety issue, not just a change of plans. I hope management will review what happened fairly, taking my age and the situation into account.

YHA is one of the best, and this particular place is usually great, with lovely walks nearby. This time, though, the night shift atmosphere earned just three stars. It’s an honest, heartfelt rating, and I think the night staff could do their work more responsibly and be friendlier. They seem new to this kind of work, still a long way from mastering it. At 2AM there was loud music in the main area, even though only 2-3 quiet guests were coming and going. It was agitating, and Reception was occupied with nonstop phone use. That felt like a big warning sign from staff who seem to think they’re more than night porters at a hostel beyond their upbringing.

The room was really clean, and I hadn’t expected it to be cleaned every day. The internet was poor everywhere except near reception. It’s a nice option if you’re trying to save money, though that comes with some downsides. On my first night, a big group of kids under 16 made a lot of noise after 11 pm, ran around, and used the emergency exit, setting off the fire alarm.

A clean, well-kept place at a reasonable price, and a comfortable choice for a budget trip. Getting to the O2 Arena is easy, so it’s especially practical if you’re going to a concert.