Premier Inn, Heathrow, London, England 15 August 2010
This is nice hotel and it’s very good value for money. It cost us 40GBP per night for large double room. It was near Heathrow airport and costs 4GBP to take an airport bus there. The room has tea and coffee making facilities, towels, TV and an ensuite. I recommend staying there if you arrive late or have to leave early. Reception is open late and the staff are friendly. They have a restaurant, bar, ATM and many vending machines.
Earl’s Cout YHA, Earl’s Court, London, England 16-18 August 2010
This place is nice. Reception is open around breakfast time and closes late. It’s in an old building a couple of blocks from the Earl’s Court train station which is on the Piccadilly line (train line to the airport, national and international train stations). It has a large garden with an outdoor dining area. The first time we stayed here, we stayed in one of the garden rooms which had an ensuite. The second time we stayed, we stayed in a room inside the main building with shared bathroom facilities. You can get internet here, but it costs 5GBP per 24 hours and it is terrible. The hostel is tidy (mostly, bust some of the bathrooms did smell a bit) and close to shops and restaurants. The hostel has a large kitchen that has microwaves and ovens and it has a laundry which cost 4-5 GBP per load to wash and dry. It was 50GBP for a double per night.
Bath YMCA, Bath, England 18-19 August 2010
This place is tidy and pleasant. They provide free wifi and free breakfast (toast, cereal, juice, tea and coffee). It is central and close to the train station (10 minute walk). The showers are warm but not 100% ideal. We stayed in a ten bed dorm for 15GBP per night per bed. We were the only people in the dorm, which was fine. To get into our room we needed a code to punch into the key pad.
Chester Backpackers, Chester, England 19-20 August 2010
This is quaint, small place near the train station. It’s about a ten minute walk from the city centre. The owner is lovely and helpful; she carried my luggage up two flights of stairs. They have friendly, cute terrier cross. They provide free wifi, free tea and coffee and information about the area. It’s cheap, only 40GBP per night for a small double room with an ensuite. They have a cute patio for guests to use as well as a laundry (4-5GBP to wash and dry a load), living room with books and DVDs and a kitchen.
When you were travelling, which was most important of the things you mentioned? Was internet or laundry more of a consideration? I'm curious about where the priority should lie as I've never been backpacking. I would assume it's easier to find internet out and about than a laundromat...but maybe you had a heap of clothes and it wasnt a big concern. Curious!
ReplyDeleteHmm tough call. I would have to say having a laundry. Laundromats in Europe are painfully expensive. We did a large load (washed and dried) and it cost nearly $18NZ. The internet was pretty important to have just so that we could re-confirm hostel bookings and check train timetables. However Jevon got a sim card in a few countries and could internet access on his phone. I think the internet was more common in the hostels (we stayed at) than laundries.
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