Smart Hostel Russell Square

For a cheap place to rest your head in one of the world's most expensive cities, low prices and great location give this hostel an edge on the competition, although questionable cleanliness and overall wear and tear here are notable drawbacks. Common areas are decked out in bold reds, monochromes, and blond woods, which lead to an industrial-like feel. A cafeteria-style lounge with a TV has a cozy sofa corner, and photos of London attractions help distract from the scuffed benches and tables. Endless nearby offerings compensate for the lack of on-site dining, and a 24-hour kitchen means self-catering is possible, but it's small, and the communal fridge fills up fast. Think student housing in an old-fashioned house, and in London, that means no AC or elevators. Dorms are cramped, and socializing is best kept to downstairs spaces, where a laid-back atmosphere gives the international crowd here a chance to mingle, although most guests spend their days out.

The hostel's bustling Bloomsbury location is great. A good pub scene here accompanies fast-food joints and cafes, and a 24-hour supermarket is virtually across the street. London's subway system is known as "the tube", and its Russell Square Station is just a three-minute walk, as is a bus stop, where five routes include a 24-hour one. King's Cross station and St Pancras International (for Eurostar trains) are a 15-minute walk, providing access to numerous routes. Also accessible on foot, busses and tubes run to Leicester and Trafalgar Squares, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, and river's happening South Bank, plus Soho's nightlife and Oxford Street's shopping. The British Museum is a 10-minute walk, and University College London is 13 minutes on foot. Heathrow Airport takes one hour by car or direct tube. Allow similar times by train from Gatwick Airport, with closer to 90 minutes by car. London City Airport is a 30-minute drive, or 45 minutes by public transport.

All with bunk beds, private Doubles and Triples, as well as mixed-gender dorms that can sleep up to 18 people, are on offer. Rooms have gray carpeted floors metal-framed beds with light-blue privacy curtains (in group dorms), and under-bed lockers, for which there are fees. London skyline murals jazz up walls in some private rooms, and these have kettles for tea- and coffee-making and desks with stools. Dorms are cramped and can have bad odors, and the mostly shared bathrooms get their fair share of complaints from unsteady shower temperatures and a lack of hooks. Towels can be purchased, but not rented, and hairdryers can be borrowed from reception. Luckier dorms have individual bed sockets, but others can have just one per room. No toiletries are provided, although vending machines sell everything from adaptors to toothpaste. Note, some rooms are in the basement, and none are air-conditioned. Room Wi-Fi is free, but speed is generally slow.

Limited features here keep rates low, plus location here is an amenity in itself. For a small fee, continental breakfasts offer cereals with milk, toast with butter, jams, and Nutella, and tea, coffee, and juice. No other meals are served, although vending machines sell drinks and snacks, as well as essentials. Lacquered red, black, and white tables and benches dot the lounge, and a dining room has similar layouts in bright pinks and light woods. Laminate or tiled floors here offset white walls with Brit-themed artwork, but style is more straightforward than decor-focused. Faux-leather couches and coffee tables offer more relaxed seating near the 24-hour kitchen, where cooking utensils are free to use, and guests can store food in the fridge. Note that the communal fridge fills up fast. The 24-hour front desk has lockers for valuables (at a fee), in addition to an ATM. It offers discounted passes to many attractions, plus cheap theater tickets to West End shows. Luggage can be stored securely here (for a fee), although electronic key card access in rooms enhances safety. Coin-operated washers and dryers are also available. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but it's reportedly slow in rooms.