Palmers Lodge Swiss Cottage

We loved the shared spaces and the nightly hostel events. Trivia night was so much fun! There's also a laundry room and ironing board, good wifi, and a place to work on a laptop. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the rooms were clean, though there isn't much room for your things. An extra side table or small shelf could help. The location makes it easy to reach other parts of the city and get to the tourist spots. Definitely coming back!

Check-in and checkout were easy, the showers and toilet were clean, and the internet was okay, though not great. There's a social room with a TV and a coffee machine, but hot drinks cost £2. It's an 8-10 minute walk to the tube and a bit far from the city centre. The bed itself was short and uncomfortable. There was too much talking from the next room around midnight, and the walls are really thin. I chose this hostel over another one that was nearly 30% cheaper and better located because I wanted curtains for privacy. Mine were detached and didn't work properly. I asked staff to fix them, and they offered me a different bed, saying we could switch when I got back that night. When I returned, someone else had taken it. So I went to sleep in my assigned top bunk. Someone else's clothes were on it and my hairbrush was on the floor, even though I'd left my things there. I put their clothes on a chair and tried to sleep. At 4am, someone shook my feet awake, claimed it was his bed and argued with me. That completely ruined my sleep. The receptionist only said sorry. I booked this place for a night's sleep and some privacy behind curtains, and neither worked out. If sleep quality matters to you, I'd strongly suggest trying somewhere else.

It's a great value for the price, with comfortable dorms and lots of useful facilities like a kitchen, laundry and storage. The hostel is beside the tube in a quiet area. One thing to know: booking a female-only dorm still gives you access to unisex showers. For basement rooms, the showers and toilets are shared with the bar, which can feel a bit uncomfortable. There also seemed to be people living in the hostel. Two older women in our eight-bed room spent all day there, hanging clothes and keeping food, and complained when anyone talked. So if you're hoping to meet people like you might at other youth hostels, this may not be the place.

We enjoyed the quiet common areas and the hostel's comfy vibe. It's a beautiful, charming house, and a nice place to stay. I first booked two nights, then extended to a week and tried out several rooms. The area is peaceful, with shops and restaurants nearby, and the metro is five minutes away. Beds are comfortable and practical, and the wifi worked well everywhere. Bathrooms vary by floor. The ones near reception are tiny and not very practical, while the third-floor bathrooms are nicer, though you can only use those if you're staying on that floor. Staff weren't particularly helpful: different people gave conflicting information, which caused confusion, and they didn't make much effort to be welcoming or help with the stay. You can rent a locker for luggage. Breakfast is £7.50 and looked nice, and reception is open 24 hours. Definitely good value for money, and I'd stay again.