London is home to some of the most famous and glamorous hotels in the world; The Ritz on Piccadilly, The Savoy on the Strand, Claridge’s in Mayfair. Even the boutique hotels like the Fox and Anchor, CitizenM and Myhotels amongst others are chic and luxurious, meaning that staying in a Premier Inn when you visit London just isn’t an option.
Of course, these big names don’t fit everyone’s budget which means there’s a gap in the market for genuinely affordable luxury. This is where the likes of Tune, The Hoxton and Z Hotels come in and now, Safestay. To call them a hostel would be a disservice, so we renamed the “poshtel”. Based near Elephant and Castle, the area might not conjure up images of sophistication but the Zone 1 location within walking distance of The South Bank and Central London will certainly appeal to visitors.
The building is recognisable from the outside as the old Labour Party headquarters, but the inside is modern and stylish, having been completely refurbished. Countless rooms serve every purpose and every budget, from private family rooms to dormitory bunks. We’ve experienced plenty of hostels throughout the world and we would be delighted to find facilities like this anywhere on our travels. Every room has an en suite bathroom and breakfast is included in the room rate. Private rooms also include a TV (a huge flatscreen dominated one wall in our room), towels and complimentary tea and coffee.
The rooms are spotlessly clean and the beds are comfy and warm. We will certainly be recommending Safestay to our friends who are visiting London. Downstairs in the main bar and restaurant area are dozens of comfy chairs and sofas with TVs, a pool table and a large heated outdoor area. If you’re feeling sociable, this is the perfect opportunity to meet young people, mainly backpackers, and make some new friends over a beer or two. However, the best part is the price – When they say budget, the mean it, with beds starting from £18 and private rooms from £58. Safestay is great fun, full of interesting people, in a great location and most importantly an absolute bargain. Hopefully there will soon be branches abroad for us to visit too!
144-152 Walworth Road, SE17 1JL
www.safestay.co.uk