Editor Pick
St. Christopher's Orient Espresso Hostel
- March 19, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
niarain from New York, New York
The St. Christopher's Orient Espresso hostel is one of three wallet-friendly St. Christopher's youth hostels on Borough High Street, on London's south bank. All offer the same basic amenities - a bunk in a 2, 4, 6, or 8 bed room, shared shower and toilet rooms, and breakfast - for rock-bottom London prices, ranging from 9.50-28.00 GBP per person, per night.
Each hostel has its own distinct character. The St. Christopher's Inn (121 Borough High) and St. Christopher's Village (167 Borough High) hostels are situated above affiliated pubs and as a result have developed reputations as lively lodgings for young travelers looking to party. The Orient Espresso branch, however, sits atop the Orient Espresso cafe, a coffee shop that keeps relatively early hours. As such, the Orient is a good bet for travellers who are more interested in a good night's sleep than a night of drinking - or at least those who'd like a little quiet once the party is over.
The Orient Espresso is not only the quietest of the trio; it's also the cleanest, owing to a recent "renovation" - fresh paint and the conversion of the top floor to the new (as of January 2007) female-only wing, the "Oasis."
As hostels go, the Oasis is fairly nice, but its strongest point is the fact that it caters to a girl's vanity. The fresh paint job gives the place a bright and airy feel. I liked the distinctly "feminine" touches - bright colored flowers and swirls decorate the walls, and rooms feature mirrors, hangers, and clothing racks. Guests receive towels on check-in (guest of the other branches must bring their own or purchase a cheap one from the reservation desk). Shower stalls contain shampoo and body wash. The bathroom features a hair dryer. There's also an iron and board in the hall for pressing clothes. All the basics are in place for ensuring you look ready for a day or night on the town.
The Oasis is a great base for getting around the city, situated on Borough High Street between the Tower Bridge and Borough tube stations, and is just a short walk to Bankside museums and restaurants, Borough Market, and Tower Bridge.
There is no curfew, and the hostel is pretty secure, requiring key-card access for the room and outer doors. The only complaint I (and pretty much every one of my various roommates had - I stayed five days) is that reception for the Orient Espresso is at the Village - three or four blocks past the Orient from the tube. To check in, you have to drag all your gear to the Village hostel and back. Small potatoes when you consider the amenities and cost, but at the end of a long day of travel, it can be a bit of a hassle.
All in all, a lovely budget place to stay for women who've outgrown the college dorm behavior common in hostels, but who don't want to break the bank staying in hotels.
From journal A Single Girl's Guide to London