Astor Kensington Hostel

Situated a frolic away from Hyde Park, the 100-bed Astor Kensington Hostel sticks out from its stodgier neighbors on Queensborough Terrace. With an emphasis on cheap lodgings and a social atmosphere, the Astor Kensington appeals to a certain type backpacker—and it’s not the type who craves quiet. It is also limited to guests ages 18-40, so there really is a younger vibe going on here.

The Astor Kensington Hostel offers everything from double rooms to four-, six-, eight-, nine- and 12-bed dorm rooms. Basic is the name of the game here. None of the rooms have any amenities except for Wi-Fi, which is free throughout. 

They also offer two double rooms. These have the same basic style as the dorms but afford more privacy and king beds as opposed to bunks.

Many of the dorms share hallway bathrooms with separate shower and toilet rooms. Eight- and nine-bed dorms have basic private bathrooms, and the double rooms also have private bathrooms.

Let's just say this place is not for the young at heart—it's for the young, and the young alone. As a matter of fact, the management has a strict policy about keeping its guests younger than 40 years old. But if you're a backpacker with a penchant toward fast friend making, then this place will be a dream come true.

The Astor Kensington Hostel offers a communal kitchen outfitted with a fridge, oven, and microwave. The adjacent (and ample) communal dining area outfitted with long communal tables and benches. 

The upstairs lounge area is outfitted with a TV, DVD player, and a few sofas. It’s a good spot to commune with fellow travelers or use one of the computers (for a fee).

The atmosphere at the Astor Kensington is upbeat and social. A staff of friendly folks is on hand to help with questions and plot out pub crawls and other fun events (check out the events board).

Breakfast is a super cheap £3.50. Note that the hostel does not have an elevator (and does have a lot of stairs).

The Astor Kensington is set in a fantastic central location, with Hyde Park on its doorstep and the Kensington Palace just a short walk away. The Marble Arch and Bond and Oxford Streets all easily accessible by bus.