Budget Hostel

The place was a dump. No breakfast, just a microwave, a smell, no heating, damp, uncleaned showers and toilets, and a bad bed. It was so bad I’ll never go back.

It was affordable, which matters most to me, and the staff were friendly and ready to help. They were renovating some bathrooms too, so they seem to be trying to improve things. The rooms felt a bit cramped even though we used only a third of the beds. My bed’s top cover was oily, so I’d recommend bringing a sleeping bag.

I’ve never stayed anywhere worse, and I’ve seen plenty of bad places. I booked in a rush and trusted Hostelworld.com, but I should have checked the reviews first. Please do, and avoid this place at any cost. I escaped to another hostel that was cheaper and felt like a luxury hotel by comparison. Someone at that other hostel also told me this place violates regulations by law. The advertising is full of lies. When I challenged an employee, he denied every issue I raised and implied I was lying. I have pictures to prove at least what I can show. Many people stay quiet, but they should speak up. This place should be closed down. The conditions were awful. It was around 10C or colder outside overnight, and the rooms had no heating on any day. The woman in the bed next to me and I slept in our winter coats and were still cold. The place looked run down, like a homeless shelter, jail or military camp, and smelled like a porta-potty. It was dirty and uncared for. They had no towels and told me to buy one at Morrisons. When I complained, the employee denied it and said I should have asked, though I had. There was never anyone at the front desk; you have to check in at the off licence next door, with no employees in the “hostel.” I went away for a day without checking out, and they gave my bed to someone else. The mattresses felt like old spring boxes, and the bedding looked awful, so I don’t know if it was even washed. Byker is the worst area in greater Newcastle. There was no hot water in the sinks, and staff across the shop were rude. In the mirror photo, look at how dirty the mirror is.

The online booking site showed fake pictures, and the place felt like a scam. Stay well clear. Even with low expectations, I was disappointed. The room radiator was broken and stuck on maximum, the bed was broken too, and there was a bad smell and damp on the walls. The toilet was blocked. It was a pain just getting the keys from the guy. Awful all around.