Review of Saint James Backpackers

Really welcoming check-in by very friendly staff who actually accompany you to your room, rather than just direct you. They also offer help to transport your luggage, if overloaded. Tonight, we will have yet another free barbecue in the garden. When you remember to sign up before 16.30 there is always a free dinner or barbecue. You don't need to sign up to enjoy a free Continental Breakfast with cereal, juice, toast, and tea and coffee. You may also make free tea and coffee to your heart's content throughout the day. Should you choose not to partake of the meals on offer, there is a small kitchen with fridge, freezer and cupboard space. There are cooking facilities and cooking utensils at your disposal. An important footnote, perhaps: The staff are meticulous about the cleanliness of the kitchen and always clean it to a high standard. This does not just apply to the food area such as the Dining and Sitting Rooms, but to the hostel in general. The dormitories are amply sufficient with a personal locker and key for each guest. There are a couple of female only dorms. The rest are mixed. The showers are also mixed, but there is an individual one on the ground floor for either female or male. All in all, there is a great ambiance in the hostel, provided by the friendly and helpful staff, and an interesting mix of guests, coming from many nations and being a broad range of ages. St James' Backpackets is of Victorian design and is architecturally very attractive and spacious. This is the best London Hostel, in which I have stayed so far… and over the decades there have been many. This review comes with my highest recommendation. Lydia M Goymer.