Stopping in a hostel

top_drawer_2

hello,

I am booked to stay four nights in a hostel in London (Palmers Lodge) and I have never done anything similar before. I really wanted as few people per room as possible but all that was available were different dorms varying between 8 to 12 bed. Has anyone else had experience of hostels/this one in particular and best strategies for dealing with any problems.

TD

McKneff

Dont they have single rooms, my daughter stayed in one in Edinburgh a couple of years ago.

Somethingfunny also, she has alway slept in a double bed and asked them for a double room, she got into the room and it
was bunk beds lol

top_drawer_2

No, otherwise that is what I would have gone with.

There is additional issues in that I have been invited with a friend and two of her freinds. I spoke to someone yesterday and they said the worst that could happen would be for me to get my matress and move into the room that 2 of them are sharing (the other is a seasoned traveller and sleeping in the 21 bed dorm). However, the second girl isnt happy with this and has stated that although she is keen to meet me, she would prefer if the room was just for the two of them.

I'm worried as its 4 nights with none of them even in the same bed. I feel resentful as it leaves me in a bad position of do I risk it and hope its OK and if its not that I dont end up hating this girl. I dont go at all or I book into somewhere else.

Pee

Sounds like the other girl is being selfish, but I think you will enjoy staying in the hostel and it'll be the start of some great trips for you where you can meet some nicer, less self obsessed people.

What sort of problems are you expecting?

There is the obvious problem that your belongings are not secured. Therefore, try and avoid taking anything valuable with you. But bear in mind that in a hotel, people come in and out of your room too, and if you are like me, you don't worry too much about that.

You might snore and others might laugh at you, others might snore, talk in their sleep, talk noisily all night, otherwise be a nuisance. Well, you might, they might, try taking some ear plugs if you think you are a light sleeper.

I stayed in one in Edinburgh and during the week got on great with the other two semi permenant residents of the six bed room. Come the weekend we had some noisy party animals in. I have to say I sleep soundly and it didn't disturb me. One of the semi permanent residents had a towel up on her bunk for privacy.

My sister ended up staying in a hostel as it was the only option and whilst she did struggle with meal times, weird cooking and eating in a very confined space with too many other people, she agreed the sleeping was fine, not nearly as bad as she expected.

Most people are basically ok and sharing with them isn't that big a deal. Just think of the moneysaving!!

top_drawer_2

Pee wrote: »

Sounds like the other girl is being selfish, but I think you will enjoy staying in the hostel and it'll be the start of some great trips for you where you can meet some nicer, less self obsessed people.

What sort of problems are you expecting?

There is the obvious problem that your belongings are not secured. Therefore, try and avoid taking anything valuable with you. But bear in mind that in a hotel, people come in and out of your room too, and if you are like me, you don't worry too much about that.

You might snore and others might laugh at you, others might snore, talk in their sleep, talk noisily all night, otherwise be a nuisance. Well, you might, they might, try taking some ear plugs if you think you are a light sleeper.

I stayed in one in Edinburgh and during the week got on great with the other two semi permenant residents of the six bed room. Come the weekend we had some noisy party animals in. I have to say I sleep soundly and it didn't disturb me. One of the semi permanent residents had a towel up on her bunk for privacy.

My sister ended up staying in a hostel as it was the only option and whilst she did struggle with meal times, weird cooking and eating in a very confined space with too many other people, she agreed the sleeping was fine, not nearly as bad as she expected.

Most people are basically ok and sharing with them isn't that big a deal. Just think of the moneysaving!!

Selfish is pretty much the word I've used to summarize her so far and I've never met her. My friend says that this girl has previously booked to have a single room even when there was other people who she knew to share with, she seems to view it that she is a private person. I'm worried about having a back up plan if its really noisy/I hate the other people/or its awful and I just can't do it as I have never done this or anything like it. Its 4 nights and I suffer with issues in that I NEED to get a decent nights sleep or else it affects my moods quite seriously.

I'm also feeling resentment towards this person and kind of wonder whether I can be bothered meeting someone who is willing to leave someone in a bad situation. I do however really fancy going to London to do these things that they planned and now it seems to be in jearpordy. I was envisaging issues around noise/people messing about till late/bringing the party back with them to the hostel but now Im wondering about resentment issues (iespecially f the dorm did become a problem for me) surrounding this girl and her rigid attitude.

My friend has even gone as far to say that if I think I wont be happy in the dorm then I should book somewhere else close by (another hostel with smaller rooms available) - I feel quite abandoned in a way.

TD

top_drawer_2

Just an update:

I have worried all night about it and come to the conclusion that I wasnt happy to go on holiday with someone who was happy to leave me in an uncomfortable position should it come to it. This applies both to my friend and her freind.

However, I received an email this morning and my friend has effectively uninvited me on their trip to London. I wondered aloud in the email I sent her last night whether this person would be as rigid should I fall down the stairs for example - my friend says it was hard for her to read this about her good friend and has decided she doesnt want to travel with this as a possible problem. She has been looking forward to this holiday for awhile and doesnt want it spoiled by bad feeling - I wish she had never mentioned it to me now as I'm not sure I can repair the damage between us.

I've just received another email from my friend and she has spoken to the other girl to see if there is anything to be done and has said "she feels the way she does" and isnt willing to alter her opinion.
TD

Ponkle22

Just reply and quote her back sayingn you feel the way you feel. Then explain it must be hard for her stuck in the middle of two friends with differing views (ie give her some sympathy) then say its probably best to cool off for a week or so then get back to the way you were before.

Of course she will have the most amazing time with the 'selfish' friend.

You need to find an opportunity in the future to have an amazing time with her too.

warehouse

A good outcome. This had trouble written all over it. Never go away with selfish people, you do it once and you never will again.

shirlsky

Holidays can make or break friendships. Let's hope your friend does not have to moan to you about this selfish girl after the London trip.

Hope you get to see London soon!

Ilona

It's a shame you are not going now, but if it doesn't feel right then maybe it's for the better. I would like to take this opportunity however to say that Youth Hostels are fantastic places to stay, I use them all the time. I book a bed in a female dormitory, these can vary between three up to ten beds, you take a chance. There are many times when I have had the room to myself, I have even had the whole hostel to myself a few times. I get the impression you had decided you wouldn't like it before you had got there. I don't know what you mean by an uncomfortable position, perhaps you are a bit shy.

I haven't stayed in the Palmers Lodge, I believe it's an independant hostel, but have stayed in YHA London Central. I had a weeks holiday for £200, that was for everything, train, hostel, food, entertainment. The people you meet are generally very nice and friendly, and from all over the world. As a single traveller I want to meet people in the evening if I have been walking on my own all day.

City hostels can be a bit busier than out in the countryside. Perhaps you could give one a try where it might be a bit quieter first. Have a look at the YHA web site. If you want any more info please pm me, I would be happy to answer your questions.
Ilona

SallyD

I always stay at the YHA hostels in UK and Europe or YWCA coupled with cheapy flights/Eurostar have had some amazing stays. I've met great like-minded folk whom I have corresponded with and met up over the years regularly all over Europe.