111 Grosvenor Rd, Churchill Gardens, London SW1V 3LG, UK, United Kingdom | (937) 315-4602
Budget hostel in central London directly across from the Thames
One-minute walk to nearest bus stop and 12 minutes to the tube
Some dorm rooms have balconies overlooking the Thames
Hip local bar with British decor and events such as quiz nights
Free breakfast with made-to-order omelets, pancakes, lattes, and fresh fruit
Free soft drinks all day
Free morning walking tours
Free Wi-Fi
Not walking distance to major London attractions
Dorm rooms can feel cramped and some complain of cleanliness issues
Bathrooms are shared and not well-ventilated
Wi-Fi can be spotty
No air-conditioning
Located on a main road that runs parallel to the River Thames in central London, the Travel Joy Hostels Chelsea offers budget-friendly accommodations with a youthful, hip vibe and a pub on the bottom floor. The 71-bed hostel only has dorm-style rooms (no private rooms), which are simple and somewhat cramped but functional, with bunkbeds, lockers, and shared bathrooms. Some even have river views. The highlight, besides the on-site pub, is the free morning breakfast, complete with made-to-order omelets, pancakes, lattes, and fresh fruit. Some guests find the area is too residential, though -- while there is a bus stop across the street, it’s about a 12-minute walk to the nearest tube station, and tourist sights generally take a little over a half-hour in travel time to reach. Guests who want to be in more central location can try the Royal Bayswater Hostel, which has a less playful vibe but is only a minute from the tube.
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Scene
Young, hip vibe with English flair and combination reception area and bar
Located in a charming Regency-style building with a green-tiled facade at street level and brick on the upper two stories, the Travel Joy Hostels Chelsea announces itself with hanging plants, window boxes, and an vintage sign that reads “The King William IV” (the name of the bottom-floor bar). Enter, and the vibe is unmistakably young and cool with lots of English flair. The Lobby doubles as a hip local watering hole and eatery. Indeed, the reception desk at the center of the room wraps around to become the bar, too. The room has a laid-back air and British style, with black wood floors, red walls, and lots of spaces to sit and relaxed or hangout, including button-tufted red sofas, stools, and tables and chairs. With activities scheduled throughout the week and dorm-style rooms, this is a spot aimed at the youthful traveler or backpacker on a budget who’s ready to meet and mingle with other travelers.
Location
In residential Central London on the River Thames, one-minute walk to the bus stop, 12-minute walk to Pimlico Station
Located on a main road that runs parallel to the River Thames in the Pimlico district of central London, the Travel Joy Hostels Chelsea is in a largely residential area of London, but it offers access to the sights via a local bus that stops just outside of the hostel and the Pimlico Underground Station, about 12 minutes away on foot. A post office, pharmacy, and eateries can be found primarily on Lupus Street, about an eight-minute walk from the hostel.
Rooms
Dorm-style rooms with shared bathrooms and views of the River Thames
Rooms are dorm-style with bunk beds for four to ten people and shared bathrooms. Fairly attractive for a hostel but still basic, rooms have hardwood floors and white walls, aluminum bunks, curtains over bottom bunks as well as over windows, and locker storage. The Twelve Bed Dorm has a little extra flair with red-trim on the walls and a red telephone booth wall decal, while other dorms open onto a balcony with seating that overlooks the Thames. Some guests complain the rooms are cramped -- bunk beds sometimes have only a few inches between them -- and could use a good scrub. Dorms have small, en-suite bathrooms with toilets and sinks. Some also have their own showers, but there are additional shared shower facilities with individual stalls. Guests are given towels, and there are soap and shampoo dispensers in the bathrooms, but some guests complain the bathrooms are not well-ventilated.
Features
Free breakfast with made-to-order omelets and pancakes, free soft drinks all day, and hip bar on-site
The highlight of the hostel is it’s hip downstairs bar, which is also a local hangout and hosts events such as beer pong, open mic nights, and quiz nights. Hostel guests get discounts at the bar, as well as free soft drinks all day. Guests rave about the hostel’s free breakfast, which goes way beyond simple “continental” with made-to-order omelets, pancakes with honey or Nutella, fresh fruit, and even lattes. The hostel also offers its own free morning walking tours, and guest say the staff are knowledgeable about the area. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hostel, but some guests report it’s spotty.
