London hostels

DavebytheSea · Post by **DavebytheSea** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 6:41 pm

Is it possible for someone of my vintage to sleep in a hostel - eg. Globetrotters where it appears I can get a bed for Â£9 per night thus saving the CHA a fortune in hotel accommodation when I come up for our London Board meeting at the end of the month. I must say they sound quite fun - mixed dormitories and all - but Judith thinks I would hate it!

I had posted a thread on the CHA section trying to cadge a bed for the night, but nobody wants me.

J.R. · Post by **J.R.** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 10:58 am

Don't shave for a couple of days.

Wear an old sea-fairing coat and cap.

Make sure your shoes are filthy.............

Then try the Sally Army !

Its free and you get an evening meal thrown in, (not literally, I hasten to add !)

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 12:46 pm

They are mainly for younguns... but I can't see why you would hate it - shared bathrooms though...

Hannoir · Post by **Hannoir** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 3:03 pm

When I was backpacking round NZ and Oz I saw plenty of older travellers staying in YHA accomodation. I also had a wide age range in my dorms, reckon the oldest about 50 the youngest 18.

Your best bet would probably be a YHA in London, cos other places can get very very rowdy and you can get woken up at very antisocial times. Or get a private room, that are cheaper than hotels.

sejintenej · Post by **sejintenej** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 8:14 pm

My wife and I spent most nights of an 8 week trip in YHA hostels and backpackers places without anyone thinking we were out of place. You can get 2 person rooms in most YHAs - even en suite in some places - but you do need to check in advance what is available. We were both OAPs at the tiome.

Older clothes are useful, they try hard (and successfully) to keep the places clean but it won't be the Ritz with breakfast in bed. That said, the wardens know all the tricks and can point you to how to see the sights etc. with the minimum cost. You can cook for yourself but many hopstels have cafes with cheapish but good food. (At one place in Australia we were given vouchers which entitled us to a meal free of charge in town; the menu was a choice from 5 items - all OK but basic like Spag Bol, pizza etc. We could get 6 vouchers per week - the 7th night the hostel had its own celebration - also at low cost).

YHA is not totally members only but being a member is cheaper and you can get preference of accommodation is scarce. London is likely to be very busy - book in advance.

HTH