Hi people! I'm 19 yo girl traveling solo to London in late May. Thanks to comments on hostels in this website and several others, I finally narrowed them down to Astor Museum Inn, St. Christopher's Village, and maybe (Piccadilly Hostel).
First of all, I cannot live in a dirty place. Cleanness (esp. bed and hot pressure shower) is the most important factor when I choose a place to live. Please don't get me wrong. I don't expect hostels to be 5 star hotels or anything. I've stayed several hostels in New York so I know what I should expect. I was okay in most of the hostels but there were places where I didn't feel like taking off my clothes in bed or even taking a shower because of insanitation.
And then location. I like going to theatre, opera, jazz clubs or bars at night. Because there are no tube running at night, less frequent night buses and expensive cabs, I want to stay pretty close to those areas.
Actually as long as I can get a clean, somewhat central locationed and not that expensive bed, I don't really care about noise, rude staff, bad breakfast, etc.
Piccadilly seems so cool because of its location but I heard it's kinda dirty. (No offense. I just have no idea) Astor Museum Inn is like an alternative(?) to Piccadilly. Is it clean compared to Piccadilly? Or can you walk home from Covent Garden/Soho even at night? St. Christopher's Village seems clean and nice. I'm just wondering if it's walkable distance to West End or if there are frequent (and maybe convenient) transportation.
Now I sound so picky.
It's not that I'm looking for a "perfect place" to stay...but I just want this to be detailed. So I really need your help please. How do you think those hostels? How was your experience? Or do you have any other recommendations? I just want to hear many opinions and get the general ideas. Thank you so much!!!