St Christopher's London Bridge the Inn

The entry process was a headache. You have to download the app and activate Bluetooth, and the little round keypad with tiny numbers was hard to use. A standard 3x3 pad with tactile, audible, or visible feedback would be much more accessible, especially for older people or anyone with motor skills issues. Getting in early cost extra time and energy too. We waited 15 mins for the woman at the bar to process it and activate the app while she was also serving people. She didn't know when breakfast was or what food was served, and we felt like we were bothering her. Unacceptable. The private double bedroom, listed as the "2 Bunk Room" on the website, was extortionately priced. It was tiny and extremely dirty and dusty, with ancient "furniture" and floorboards, a flimsy bunk bed, and paper-thin mattresses. There was no sound isolation, so we heard constant noise from the hallways, stairs, and downstairs pub, plus smoke from downstairs. Patrons were extremely loud until 1-2 am, then staff dragged massive tables and chairs across the floor around 5 am. EDIT following owner's response: this is the correct hostel, St Christopher's - The Inn. The double room is called "2 Bunk Room" on your website. The photos show this room in this hostel.

For the price, the location is good, and the beds were clean enough for a quick crash with no expectations. But the setup was very poor: a tiny space packed with small rooms and cramped doorways. There's no kitchen, and the toilets and sinks were in terrible condition, with showers that were completely unusable. Bedside lights and sockets didn't work for charging. The pub seats right below, outside the window, made it very noisy. They also make guests install an app to unlock the doors even though the code arrives by email. Come just to sleep and leave.

After a freezing walk, we came in and had delicious food at a great price. The chicken pie and mash was the best, and the curry was really warming too. We met lovely people, and Kimmi made us feel so welcome. Thanks so much! We'll definitely come back next time we're in London.

The facilities were clean and tidy, but that didn't make up for the rest. It's a pub first and a hostel second. Noise from the outdoor seats kept me awake until 2am, and staff were too busy serving drinks to be much help. The fire alarm also went off randomly at 2am. Rooms were small and impossibly hot even with the window open, and the beds were small and basic. I shouldn't need to knock myself out with a pint of gin to get a decent night's kip. Don't book here, you deserve better.