hostels recommendations - paris and london

[shopbruin]

i'll be in london october 19-23 and paris oct 23-27. i'm gong with one friend (also female) and the hotels are just too much for us (they're too far, too old, too expensive, etc) so we started looking at hostels.

i've looked at www.hostelworld.com but i was wondering if anyone had stayed in any good, clean, hostels in those two cities that are close to the main attractions (i've never been to europe, i'm being a total tourist, my friend has never been to london, but has been to paris) and probably close to public transit or places in walking distance.

i looked at one in london - they said "LINENS AND BLANKETS PROVIDED! towels are a 2 euro fee!" are all of them like that?

advice for hostelling? we're packing LIGHT - carryon's only, i'm bringing one credit card, my ATM, my ID and my passport in the cheapest wallet and purse i don't mind messing up, but is there anything else we need to bring? i know i'm probably going to need something to tie my precious items (i.e. my camera) to me at night so they don't get stolen.

 

[msi1337]

no more carryons

 

[BillGates]

Paris Hilton

haha

 

[MixMasterTang]

What is your budget? Some hostels you can get private double rooms for you and you're friend, setup more or less like dorm rooms to where the room just consists of two beds and maybe a desk.

 

[EngenZerO]

hostels?

edit... nm... googled it...

hostel - an inexpensive accommodation, typically in dormitory style. Usually used by younger travelers, as in "youth hostel."

 

[shopbruin]

Originally posted by: MixMasterTang
What is your budget? Some hostels you can get private double rooms for you and you're friend, setup more or less like dorm rooms to where the room just consists of two beds and maybe a desk.

we might actually be willing to spring for that, if it's not significantly more.

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: BillGates
Paris Hilton

haha

There's usually no vacancy, expensive, worn out, and drafty.

 

[ElFenix]

might want to look at hostels.com, they've got a good rating system.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: freesia39

Originally posted by: MixMasterTang
What is your budget? Some hostels you can get private double rooms for you and you're friend, setup more or less like dorm rooms to where the room just consists of two beds and maybe a desk.

we might actually be willing to spring for that, if it's not significantly more.

It's usually about $5 more per person, totally worth it in my opinion.

I've had a couple friends stay at the Generator in London at different times and they've loved it. Kind of typical "hostel" atmosphere from what I hear (bands at night, younger crowd, etc) so if you are the typical backpacker it might be a bit ackward.

I think I stayed at the BVG in the Latin Quarter when I was in Paris. It was convinient and clean but a bit institutionalized (metal bunk beds, etc reminded me of a hospital). The night life near the Latin Quarter is nice, different from Montmartre which had a nice relaxing atmosphere.

I've never really had problems with staying in hostels, I get a private room with my friends whenever possible, but I have heard of people who have. One guy I met, while travelling in Australia, took his valuables with him to the shower and came back to find that his roommates had taken off with his backpack and all his clothes. Take a couple different sized padlocks with you, most dorm rooms have lockers that you can store and lock your stuff in.

 

[AMDZen]

Take me take me

 

[lokiju]

They'll hold you against your will and let rich foreign people take pleasure in torturing and killing you!!!!!!!!!!


GAH!!

DON'T DO IT!!



:shifty eyes;

 

[davestar]

www.hostelworld.com is definitely the way to go. i've gotten recommendations/booked 6-7 hostels through it and haven't been led wrong yet.

i really liked Le Village in Paris. 4 person rooms (w/bathroom ensuite), breakfast was included in the price of the room, and there is a nice common room/terrace to drink and meet up with people.

not to mention the view from my room: The Sacre Coeur

 

[Doboji]

Slovakia!

 

[shopbruin]

Originally posted by: davestar
i really liked Le Village in Paris. 4 person rooms (w/bathroom ensuite), breakfast was included in the price of the room, and there is a nice common room/terrace to drink and meet up with people.

[/L]

did you bring your own linens or did you rent their's?