NX London Hostel

The place was pretty clean, and the people staying there were really friendly. I had a good time. I’d almost cancelled because I was trying a hostel for the first time and had seen some very bad reviews, but my stay didn’t match those accounts. There was an issue involving another guest, and the staff were kind and found a solution for me. They’re patient and very friendly.

I’ve stayed at NX twice, once for three months about two or three years ago, and again now for two months. I’ll be back in the new year and in future years too. The place has come on a lot since I was away, and I expect it’ll keep improving. It’s still being developed, and the price reflects that. I can see the vision and look forward to seeing what changes next. People work here on long, medium and short stays. I’m a medium-term guest. It’s a quirky hostel with breakfast, and the people who work at NX are extremely nice, helpful, and have a positive culture. The two cleaners are amazing at their jobs. Some people leave disgusting messes in the kitchen and bathrooms, but the mess is gone the next day. It works especially well for Goldsmiths students. I’ve stayed in two Goldsmiths dorms, Loring and Surrey House, and NX is right across the street from the Library, which suits me much better personally. I’m a Goldsmiths student and get the 10% student discount, as well as seasonal discounts. I think NX could gradually build a stronger connection with Goldsmiths, perhaps by developing some student rooms over time. That might create a student community and new opportunities. When the hostel is fully finished, it could also put a proposal to Goldsmiths. The university has trouble housing students, only guarantees housing for first-year students, and has money issues. I’m sure it would consider a proposal if NX met the regulatory standards, which aren’t strict, believe me. My circumstances mean Goldsmiths guarantees me housing throughout my education, but NX seems as good as any student dorm I’ve tried. The main differences are that it’s a hostel, not a private room, and there aren’t many students. I haven’t broken any rules, so I haven’t had the experiences that many negative reviewers describe. Follow the simple rules, like not getting drunk or unruly and not eating in rooms, and I’d expect a positive stay. I really have nothing negative to say. Anyway, it is what it is, and it’s a nice place. The music is loud at night most days because there’s a small concert venue next door. The website warns about it. I’ve also read reviews about bed bugs from two or three years ago. I didn’t get any myself, but the room was cleared for treatment and that was that. I’d be grossed out too if I had bed bugs. The sheets are cleaned, and you can see them being washed after they’re changed because the laundry room is usually open while the cleaning ladies work. You can ask for fresh sheets. I did after a month, not because of bed bugs, just because they needed changing. There are two or three bathrooms on each floor. Sometimes it’s annoying, but in my experience there’s always one free if you check each floor. There are literally about eight or ten across the building, though no extra bathroom can just appear when someone says there aren’t enough. They can get gross when people leave them that way, but the cleaning ladies do a good job and they’re clean the next day. I like that they feel like bathrooms at home, not a bar urinal. I’ve been to many other London hostels over the years, and NX’s bathrooms are better, with more space and, in most cases, a toilet and shower together. The staff aren’t rude. If someone came across that way, I suspect they were very busy and you took it as rudeness, or you were being rude yourself.

I spent six months living here a few years ago. The staff and other guests were so friendly that I still keep in touch with some of them. I’ve only stayed in a few hostels, but this is easily the best. Spend more than a week here and you get to know people; they start to feel like family. Big love to New Cross Hostel.

I booked a stay and called the property the day before to ask about early check-in. I was told it was possible for an extra £10. But when I arrived and rang the bell, a rude man shouted that check-in was only at 4pm and slammed the door in my face. I rang again. He came out shouting once more. I tried to explain that I’d arranged early check-in with his colleague the night before, but he said he didn’t care, he was busy, and I shouldn’t come back before 4pm if I wanted to be allowed to check in later. When I asked for a manager, he said he was “the boss” and shut the door again. A couple of minutes later he opened it while I was on the phone to Agoda, where I’d booked, and told me to try again in half an hour. While waiting for Agoda to respond to my complaint, I decided to go back after an hour had passed. Another person answered. I explained about the early check-in, but he said check-in was only from 4pm and they were busy. I repeated that a colleague had guaranteed early check-in the previous night. He gave me attitude and said it had to be arranged in advance, contradicting what I’d been told on the phone and what the first man had said at the door. He offered to keep my luggage in the office and told me to come back at 4pm if I didn’t like that. I said I wouldn’t be checking in and would go elsewhere. He even told me never to book with them again. I’d already complained to Agoda, who said they would contact the property. They didn’t resolve it for me, saying the hostel’s policy was not to give refunds. I don’t accept being mistreated and then having a refund policy used to hide behind. I managed to book another hostel at the last minute, but I’ll pursue a refund and file a complaint. They shouldn’t be allowed to treat guests however they feel like and then refuse refunds after giving terrible service or failing to provide it while being aggressively rude. I’d paid for my booking and was treated as if I were an inconvenience, or they were doing me a favour and I was staying for free. The rude, uncivilised employees seemed very unprofessional and probably lived there, with no customer service experience. I’d never book there again.