Saint James Backpackers

The location is good, check-in was easy, and the space itself was okay. The staff were nice and the food good, but I only stayed two nights and didn't feel safe. There were bed bugs in my bed, two of them, and I woke with bites on my back. I've stayed in hostels before, but this one felt weird, with strange, off-putting people around. The staff seemed oblivious to how uncomfortable it was. Residents included homeless people staying long term and drunk people yelling. The vibe in my room was very strange. I saw a guy with a black eye who loves drinking, posted up in the bottom-floor hallway at night and wouldn't leave. I was also concerned when people ahead of me at check-in got adamant about showing IDs and passports, seemed to come from strange places, and were still allowed in without physical government ID. I also saw a weird guy with a black eye come in while I was outside. I don't usually leave bad reviews, but be forewarned, this place is as described and the check-in process is easy, yet the other residents made it feel unsafe. I don't really recommend it.

It feels familiar here, and they try to make guests feel at home away from home. They offer TVs and games, and even have a happiness manager, Gab, who's lovely and helps make the stay more enjoyable. I'm a regular guest and recommend the place. My one suggestion is to serve more eggs for two at breakfast.

Everything was basically fine: the beds, showers, and breakfast. The staff were nice, though there was a weird smell in some rooms, downstairs by the women's bathroom. It's very close to Earls station, which made getting around the city easy.

Reception was very nice, but the place itself was a mess. I don't think it's for backpackers. It seemed like many homeless people lived there, and people could come and go without security. Everything was very dirty, and the beds had sponge instead of mattresses. My sheet was stained. I left within a few hours because I knew I couldn't spend the night, and booked somewhere else. I didn't get a refund. I'm leaving this review so others can learn from my mistake: if cleanliness, comfort, and security matter to you, this isn't the place.