Anna W.
Yelp
The other day, for the first time, I booked an award winning hostel. The River House Backpackers was top in the UK at Hostel World's "Hoscars" for hostels in 2009 and fourth at their worldwide competition the previous year. Even though I was just spending one night there, to find student accommodation in the city, my expectations were scandalously high. It was almost like a good omen: I was going to live in a city with one of the best youth hostels in the world.
Normally, I choose hostels to sleep affordably no matter what the conditions, yet for my premier lodgings I paid just £17.50. This was less than for my previous stay at the nearby YHA, which penalises non-members an extra £3, and charges for storage lockers. Yes, I was feeling really smug about it. I was sure that I was onto something good as I passed the familiar railway station and then crossed the bridge over the River Taff. Immediately, I saw a promising looking hostel overlooking the river. I entered and my first impressions were disappointing: it was dark, grimy and unfriendly. A dykey girl at reception looked blankly at her bookings list. Phew, it was the wrong hostel! Relieved, I walked a few steps back and found the Backpackers hostel. It was a less obvious terraced house with no flashy signs opposite the Millennium Stadium. Inside, I went to reception and came face-to-face with a blonde Welsh girl. She was polite and friendly and introduced me to her brother who also works there. He too was blonde and managed to keep the right balance between "your host" and "your friend".
As I was going out for house viewings, I didn't spend much time there, but I did check out the facilities. There was a spacious kitchen and dining room with tables and baskets of fruit and, most importantly, Wi-Fi. There was also a pretty garden/patio outside and, overall, everything was well decorated, very clean and elegant. When I returned, after a hard day on the beat talking with landlords, I relaxed in the common area drinking a glass of wine and eating some microwave food from M & S. I felt comfortable, for a short while at least, sitting among total strangers in these pretty surroundings. There was also a sitting room with DVDS and books, but I was too busy using the internet.
However, I was disappointed with the room. For four people it was tiny and there was not enough space for us all to move around simultaneously. The real nightmare though started after lights out. The girl sleeping above me was overweight and kept tossing and turning. The creaking bed kept me awake and she snored heavily. The bedroom itself and how well you sleep in it is crucial and this hostel's small sized rooms and rickety beds were major weak points. The facilities were impressive, the breakfast in the morning was delicious and the bathrooms were excellent, but I still just wanted a good night's sleep.
At the YHA there were no fancy extras, but the rooms were spacious and the beds were more comfortable and stable, They may have a less starry reputation and charge you for extras, but you are more likely to sleep well in their bunk-beds!
