Hostel 639- HSD

From day one I felt welcome and comfortable at Kansel Green Backpackes. The hostel was clean, including the rooms and common area, and the staff were kind and ready to help. The service made my stay very pleasant. A special thanks to FRANCIS, who was always cheerful, supportive and helpful. He kept smiling and went out of his way whenever I needed assistance, and his positive attitude made a real difference. The atmosphere is friendly and calm, and it seems suited to travelers and backpackers looking for a comfortable, welcoming place. They also had a live DJ and KARAOKE NIGHT on the weekend. I’d definitely stay again and highly recommend KANSEL GREEN BACKPACKERS.

The beds were clean and the staff were genuinely nice, and the shower did work. I’m in a rough spot right now, so maybe I’m biased, but at first this seemed like a decent place. Then more problems kept coming up. My slippers got soaked in pineapple juice, and I’m stuck walking around in socks. Security hates that, and so do I. Please start selling slippers. The shower heads need replacing too, they keep leaking. The kettle they provide is poorly maintained and has limescale inside. The wiring seems dodgy as well: my brand new phone heats up when charging, though Apple customer service said there’s nothing wrong with the phone or cable. Security has been absolutely useless. Someone went through my suitcase and stole four items. Someone else has been taking my food, another person put something in my drink, and somebody tampered with food I’d left beside the microwave while I waited for the kettle to boil. Now I’ve found bedbugs in my bed. They’re calling pest control, but it’s taking a while. And at night it’s become extremely loud, with music blaring from the cafe.

It was tidy and inexpensive, and did the job of giving me somewhere to sleep before carrying on with my journey. For the price, I think it’s reasonable. I only stayed one night and wasn’t expecting much. It wasn’t the worst experience, but it wasn’t the best either. I still find it hard to get used to sharing a room with strangers, though I know that’s how this kind of place works.

The guests were mostly keeping to themselves, and seemed pretty chill if you did get talking to them. Staff were nice enough, and you can leave valuables in the luggage storage if that gives you peace of mind. The area was alright, near north kensington and nothing hill. I’d been a bit worried after reading so many reviews, but people can overreact, especially when they’re writing as critics, so I wouldn’t take every negative comment as the whole story. You get what you pay for here. It’s not really a typical backpacker hostel, and some things could be improved, like the shower in the room and the utensils. Still, it did what it was meant to do for the price. No major problems or concerns during my stay, and I’d go back.