YHA Earl's Court

The YHA Earl’s Court (part of the Hosteling International group) is one of London’s nicest hostels, a tranquil number located on a pretty, tree-lined street just a few minutes from the Earl's Court tube station.

Quick read

Pros: Excellent, convenient location. Very clean. Back garden.

Cons: Bare-bones. Small bathrooms. Can get noisy.

Rooms

The YHA Earl’s Court’s 187 beds reside in 42 rooms, which range from doubles to 10-bed dorms. Rooms are clean, functional and simply furnished with bunk beds, blue duvets, lockers and a sink. We thought the six-bed room (with private bathroom) that opened onto the back garden was particularly nifty.

All other rooms at the YHA Earl’s Court share bathrooms, which are clean but cramped and basic.

Hotel

There is a small café kiosk in the reception area and a spacious TV lounge decorated in the YHA's trademark pink and turquoise, with plenty of comfortable seating. A second “quiet” lounge, located at the back of the hostel, boasts comfy seating arranged around lovely bay windows that look out onto the lush garden. But the garden itself, with its greenery and picnic tables, is the highlight here.

The YHA Earl’s Court offers Internet stations, and Wi-Fi is available in the common spaces and ground-floor rooms (there is an additional fee for any Internet access). Continental breakfast is available for £2.95. Hungrier hostel guests can enjoy a full English breakfast at the nearby corner café for just £5.95. There is also a small guest kitchen.

Location

Situated within walking distance of Hyde Park, the Royal Albert Hall and sundry excellent museums, the YHA Earl’s Court makes a great base for exploring London.