I’m pretty sure my nights of sleeping in hostels are finished, but if I had to stay in one in London, I’d be pretty happy to stay in the new Staysafe in Elephant & Castle.
I was invited to check it out for the launch along with a tour of the area (photos from that tomorrow). The hostel itself is in the old Labour party headquarters.
Elephant & Castle doesn’t have the greatest reputation so I was intrigued about the name of this place – Staysafe. Why so sure?
The explanation was that all of the doors, including within the hallways, require a touch card. There will be locked lockers under the beds a suitcase can fit into as well. And it actually did feel quite safe.
In fact it felt a bit like no other hostel I’ve been in before.
My most memorable hostel experience would probably be a toss up between a campsite hostel hut in Venice where we drank at the bar at 9am or the one in Athens that turned into a raving club and didn’t have any toilet paper.
This one has a totally calm vibe. You walk in to cushy carpets, bright colours, a relaxing mix of high and low lighting.
There’s Banksy prints on the walls and so far the bathrooms are pretty pristine.
The breakfast room is huge. There’s a pool table, a bar, and my favourite part – a lovely sculpted garden.
The staff were friendly and inviting.
And the rates for the rooms start at £18 a night if you want to share with 4-8 people.
You can also book a private room for 1-3 from £58.
All the rooms are en-suite with separate toilet and shower – a wet room.
The private rooms include tea and coffee and a TV. All rooms include breakfast.
Not bad for a hostel, eh?
Website: Staysafe Hostel, Elephant & Castle
Little London Observationist 