Wombat's City Hostel London

Ive stayed here multiple times over the years—first during the pandemic, then again not like my after we where set free, and now. This time, I was, and still am, impressed. The place is spotlessly clean, equipped with all the amenities you could need and more. The kitchen is fantastic, and while there's an on-site bar (which will tempt you to spend a bit more), the overall atmosphere is great. It’s on the pricier side for a London hostel, but the diverse mix of travelers and exceptionally friendly, knowledgeable staff make it worthwhile. My only complaint? The showers could be much hotter. A truly hot shower is something I really value, and in that regard, this place falls short.

Liked it.

Do not be fooled by the high 4.4-star rating—this hostel doesn’t deserve any stars. I stayed here for two nights and felt uncomfortable and unsafe throughout my stay. The hostel is a 10-minute walk from Aldgate East station, but the area doesn’t feel safe at all. From the start, my impression was poor. Two security guards were present—one outside and one inside. The guard outside, a man on his phone, was extremely rude, which didn’t help with the sense of security. The lift was broken and unstable, and to make matters worse, the staff assigned me a room on the 8th floor, despite the elevator only going up to the 6th floor. I had to climb stairs to reach my floor. Once in the room, I found weak, shaky lockers that didn’t feel secure at all. If you’re looking for peace of mind and basic comfort, stay elsewhere. There are much nicer hostels available at the same price.