Smart Hostel Russell Square
71-72 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DF England
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Avg. $217 /night, 12/11 - 12/12
$260
per night
$159
per night
$57
per night
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About
3.0
#41 of 208 hostels in LondonLocation
4.4
Rooms
2.8
Value
3.4
Cleanliness
3.2
Service
3.2
Sleep Quality
2.9
This hostel is in the heart of London, a 10-minute walk from King's Cross Railway Station and the British Library. It provides budget accommodation with free WiFi access throughout. The Smart Hostel Russell Square offers beds in mixed-sex dorms. Linen is provided and security lockers are available in all rooms. Shared and en-suite facilities are available depending on room type. Reception is open 24 hours a day, and there are no curfews or lock-out times. Guests can receive tourist information and discount tickets for major attractions. The hostel's common room features a large TV, and some shared kitchen facilities are available. Self-service laundry facilities and an internet cafe are also offered on site. Russell Square Underground Station is 252 yrd away. The Foundling Museum, Islington Farmers Market and University College London are all within 10 minutes' walk. Camden is a great choice for travellers interested in Theatre, Museums and Culture. Our dormitories are open to guests between 16 and 45 years old. If you do not fit this age range, please book a private room. For further questions, please contact our hostel
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Breakfast available
Vending machine
Baggage storage
Non-smoking hotel
24-hour front desk
Self-serve laundry
Shared bathroom
Shared kitchen
Shared lounge / TV area
ATM on site
Room features
Housekeeping
Safe
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Residential Neighborhood
Languages Spoken
English
Location
71-72 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DF England
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 100 out of 100
100
London City Airport
7.6 mi•
See all flights
Heathrow Airport
14.8 mi•
See all flights
Russell Square
1 min•Underground
Rental Cars
162 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
3.0
2,303 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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Smart Hostel Russell Square enjoys a prime central location, highly favored by guests for its easy access to public transport and close proximity to key London sights. While the rooms have been called out for being on the small side and occasionally lacking in comfort and ventilation, the hostel's atmosphere is often described as welcoming. Cleanliness is a strong suit, with many visitors appreciating the spotless environment.
Service quality varies, with reports of both friendly staff and some less satisfactory interactions. Despite the hostel's affordability, there are mixed feelings regarding its overall value due to additional charges and room sizes. Amenities like secure lockers and communal spaces are generally well-regarded, though some facilities receive more mixed feedback.
Location
Central
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Cramped
Value
Affordable
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Detailed Reviews
Hotel looks bright and modern when you come in. Stayed in a 9 bed room for one night that was really warm and cosy, which is really good because it was quite cold outside.
Each bed has their own plug socket and curtains. Also, there are numbered lockers available underneath the bunk beds for rent for £1 for 24 hours. The room is also equipped with a shared sink and small mirror.
Good for solo travellers staying for a night or two.
Water temperature in the showers on the first floor were slightly colder than expected, but still bearable. Toilet's and shower's were relatively clean, however the sink area was a little messy.
The hotel is located near the Brunswick shopping centre and there are lots of food options nearby.
Each bed has their own plug socket and curtains. Also, there are numbered lockers available underneath the bunk beds for rent for £1 for 24 hours. The room is also equipped with a shared sink and small mirror.
Good for solo travellers staying for a night or two.
Water temperature in the showers on the first floor were slightly colder than expected, but still bearable. Toilet's and shower's were relatively clean, however the sink area was a little messy.
The hotel is located near the Brunswick shopping centre and there are lots of food options nearby.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SRS M, Guest Relations Manager at Smart Hostel Russell Square
Responded Jan 4, 2020
Dear guest, Thank you for taking your time to write us a review. We are sorry to read that our hostel your stay didn’t live up to your expectations. We will take your valuable feedback into account and hopefully, if you decide to stay again with us, you will notice all the positive improvements. Kind regards, SRS Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Never stayed in a hostel before, but went with the flow and was dreading it BUT. very impressed on how clean everything was. cleaners were constantly checking the kitchen showers and toilets etc.
Coffee and toast included for breakfast, as much as you wanted. (unfortunately did not cater for Gluten Free, but quite used to that).
We were in the basement, a room for 15. It was a little tight, so appreciated the two fans. and the sink/mirror.
My only slight complaint. It was far too hot in the room and the lockers did not open easily/jammed.
Would recommend. Great value. Clean and friendly.
Also added bonus. I drove in and parked under the President hotel opposite for £19./24 hour
Coffee and toast included for breakfast, as much as you wanted. (unfortunately did not cater for Gluten Free, but quite used to that).
We were in the basement, a room for 15. It was a little tight, so appreciated the two fans. and the sink/mirror.
My only slight complaint. It was far too hot in the room and the lockers did not open easily/jammed.
Would recommend. Great value. Clean and friendly.
Also added bonus. I drove in and parked under the President hotel opposite for £19./24 hour
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SRS M, Manager at Smart Hostel Russell Square
Responded Feb 24, 2020
Dear guest, Thank you so much for your positive feedback and for taking the time to post this review. It's our customers that allow us to constantly improve our services. We are so glad you're happy with our hostel and services. We would love to see you back. Kind regards, SRS Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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The dorms have triple bunks with very little headroom, so putting sheets on the top bunk when arriving was very awkward. I could not sit upright on my bunk. You are only given clean sheets, no duvet cover or pillowcase and it’s not clear whether these are changed between guests. The bunks do have privacy curtains though which helps to keep out the light in. The room was very hot due to the number of guests in a small room, despite cold weather outside. There is a fan in each room but it’s too loud to have on all night.
Towels are available, but you have to pay £2.50 “rent”. Lockers in the dormitories are a good size (comfortably fits a carry on suitcase) and the larger lockers downstairs are £3.
The kitchen doesn’t have enough space for all guests to store food, and the same kitchen is used by the staff to make the breakfast buffet, so you’re not able to go in and prepare your own meal in the morning.
The main perk was the location, it’s very close to Russell Square station and bus stops, and a 24hr Tesco. It’s an ideal cheap option if you’re only staying for one night.
Towels are available, but you have to pay £2.50 “rent”. Lockers in the dormitories are a good size (comfortably fits a carry on suitcase) and the larger lockers downstairs are £3.
The kitchen doesn’t have enough space for all guests to store food, and the same kitchen is used by the staff to make the breakfast buffet, so you’re not able to go in and prepare your own meal in the morning.
The main perk was the location, it’s very close to Russell Square station and bus stops, and a 24hr Tesco. It’s an ideal cheap option if you’re only staying for one night.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Many people for little space, the rooms are very small and it looks like a prison. It doesn't have an airway system, so the air in the room is very concentrated and heavy. I booked and cancel by Booking a 6 bed room with private bathroom and they did not give me that. Without a bathroom, obviously there is no money back. I did not like at all having to arrive and make my bed, they give you the sheets and covers at check in and then it is your problem. I arrived at 2 pm but I had roommates who arrived at 2 am and had to fix their bed on the third level, which incidentally is uncomfortable and unsafe as well as waking everyone up through no fault of their own. Whoever designed this system never thought about guest safety. They should eliminate the third level or bed.
The dining room and the bathrooms were never kept clean despite daily cleaning. For both of them it was disgusting when using them. Public services are few for the number of people they host. In the small dining room area there were already spaces "reserved" for guests with their personal belongings and more. The impression is of the law, " I am stronger and I command here." They should not allow this, the common areas are for everyone and not for a rude group.
Not all guests understand order and cleanliness, but the hotel must clean them more often, because the bathrooms, dining room, and kitchen were always dirty from the night to next day.
Good attention but I would not return again.
The dining room and the bathrooms were never kept clean despite daily cleaning. For both of them it was disgusting when using them. Public services are few for the number of people they host. In the small dining room area there were already spaces "reserved" for guests with their personal belongings and more. The impression is of the law, " I am stronger and I command here." They should not allow this, the common areas are for everyone and not for a rude group.
Not all guests understand order and cleanliness, but the hotel must clean them more often, because the bathrooms, dining room, and kitchen were always dirty from the night to next day.
Good attention but I would not return again.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Before I list everything wrong, I can almost guarantee the hostel's response will be some canned copy+paste response that ends with "If you stay with us again you'll notice all of the positive improvements", like every bad review on here.
Beds are tiny cubicles, so if you're above 6' expect to not be able to lay straight in them.
There were 5 showers and 5 toilets between our floor of 10 rooms (with, I presume, 9 beds in each room, so 90 people), all were tiny and unclean. All the showers were missing shower curtains so anything you brought in there (including changes of clothes) would get wet.
Toilet cubicles were so small that sitting on the toilet meant my feet poked out below the door.
Staff varied from uncaring to very rude, including the receptionist making us buy a locker to store a tv we brought (not to use in the hostel, we were taking it to an event the next day) despite it being smaller than the bags we were keeping in our room. He couldn't give us a reason why we couldn't keep it in the room, just kept barking "not the tv" every time we asked questions.
The "breakfast" was just toast or cornflakes, about as cheap as it could be.
The free wifi didn't work.
The mattress for my bed had a stain on it, and the sheets given were too small to fit over the mattress entirely.
The radiator was permanently on, the windows only opened an inch and there was a single desk fan stuck on the wall a mile high which did nothing to help, so the room was too warm the entire time.
Beds are tiny cubicles, so if you're above 6' expect to not be able to lay straight in them.
There were 5 showers and 5 toilets between our floor of 10 rooms (with, I presume, 9 beds in each room, so 90 people), all were tiny and unclean. All the showers were missing shower curtains so anything you brought in there (including changes of clothes) would get wet.
Toilet cubicles were so small that sitting on the toilet meant my feet poked out below the door.
Staff varied from uncaring to very rude, including the receptionist making us buy a locker to store a tv we brought (not to use in the hostel, we were taking it to an event the next day) despite it being smaller than the bags we were keeping in our room. He couldn't give us a reason why we couldn't keep it in the room, just kept barking "not the tv" every time we asked questions.
The "breakfast" was just toast or cornflakes, about as cheap as it could be.
The free wifi didn't work.
The mattress for my bed had a stain on it, and the sheets given were too small to fit over the mattress entirely.
The radiator was permanently on, the windows only opened an inch and there was a single desk fan stuck on the wall a mile high which did nothing to help, so the room was too warm the entire time.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Go somewhere else
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Worst hostel I've ever been to (and I've been to a lot)! The booking (because of the rating) was our emergency solution due to the little availability. Starting with the check-in the people at the reception did only their call of duty and thats all. No extra service or even a smile was given to us. Inside the hostel there was no typical "hostel atmosphere". Also if you have huge luggage there is no elevator. For us that wasn't a problem cause we only had a small bag with us. Our room was very small, but ok for the weekend. There was one table but it was to low to sit there and only one chair in the room. The bed was squeeking the whole night and the matresses are worn out since years! The bathroom is inside the room with no window and it was very tiny. You only could sit diagonal on the toilet cause the pillar below the sink was very close to it. While having a shower the automatic light turned off several times. As if that wasn't enough the water turned from "I freeze your t*sticl*s" to "I f*cking burn them now" during the shower without turning the water tap. On one day we only had hot water in the shower, so it was almost to hot to take a shower... During the night there was a lot of noise from the people in the room next to us and in the room above, you could hear almost everything. And in the morning (starting at 4am) there was a loud sound probably every half an hour we couldn't assign, but it was definitely loud enough to get awake. At least the breakfast was only £2 and you get toast, butter and jam for it (we didn't try this amazing offer). Also in the evening there is no hostel bar or location you could go to (only one pub close to the hostel, but closes at 11pm). I think thats all... So for the next time I hope we have the chance to stay somewhere else!
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Date of stay: October 2021
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There is a receptionist who tells you like it is and gets straight to the important stuff. In her words "Its not free". No the services at this hostel are not free but compared to other hostels the price is very frugal especially when you take into account the benefits that come with the price.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled on business
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip: All of the rooms are good. All of the rooms could be your chow mein room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The location is good
The cleanliness is poor in toilets and room.
The carpet floor looks disgusting.
No hot water the first day (I shower around 9.30 am), the following days I had hot water and shower earlier (maybe that is why..) if they have some trouble with the hot/cold water because of all the people showering at the same time, they should say that when you check in
Breakfast included OK considering the price but not to much space for all the people who were there.
The cleanliness is poor in toilets and room.
The carpet floor looks disgusting.
No hot water the first day (I shower around 9.30 am), the following days I had hot water and shower earlier (maybe that is why..) if they have some trouble with the hot/cold water because of all the people showering at the same time, they should say that when you check in
Breakfast included OK considering the price but not to much space for all the people who were there.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from SRS M, Receptionist at Smart Hostel Russell Square
Responded Jan 29, 2020
Dear guest, Thank you for taking your time to write us a review. We are sorry to read that our hostel your stay didn’t live up to your expectations. We will take your valuable feedback into account and hopefully, if you decide to stay again with us, you will notice all the positive improvements. Our wonderful cleaning staff work all day long to ensure the hostel is clean and hygienic! Rooms are cleaned daily and public bathrooms are cleaned hourly! If you find that something isn’t cleaned up to your expected standard, please don’t hesitate to inform our lovely staff about it. They will ensure this is dealt with as soon as possible. Kind regards, SRS Team.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
If you’re disabled do not come here at all. No lifts , they give you your own beddings to carry up flights of stairs not even asking whether I needed help carrying all the linens and my bags. I emailed them a day before to advise I’m disabled so they gave a bottom bunk on the second floor, which is weird if I can’t get up a bunk bed how I’m I supposed to manage with two flights of stairs. Beds not comfy no small light in your bunk bed like you get in most hostels no shower gel no hand wash nothing. Oh yes you have to bring all the beddings down with you when checking out otherwise you get charged absolutely a joke.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I shared a 9-person female-only room, which in itself was okay. However, I would not recommend this hostel if you are a light sleeper as you can hear traffic and people shouting in the street at night. Additionally, by nature of sharing a room, you can here every little movement of your roommates.
I would warn people that the bunk beds are trilevel, so you can't even sit up in bed.
The cafeteria and fridges were useful, although the cafeteria could get noisy as there is a "living room" area where movies are played and sometimes people would be on phone calls.
2 of the receptionists were very friendly (the woman and the Australian), however another one came off as a bit callous.
Location-wise it's excellent. Within walking distance of Russell Square Tube Station and King's Cross/St Pancras.
I would warn people that the bunk beds are trilevel, so you can't even sit up in bed.
The cafeteria and fridges were useful, although the cafeteria could get noisy as there is a "living room" area where movies are played and sometimes people would be on phone calls.
2 of the receptionists were very friendly (the woman and the Australian), however another one came off as a bit callous.
Location-wise it's excellent. Within walking distance of Russell Square Tube Station and King's Cross/St Pancras.
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Date of stay: January 2022
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
there is enough space to accommodate 4 people in these rooms as most of the space is taken up with the two sets of bunk beds. I was in a 6 bed room at the weekend and it also had a toilet and shower included
Hi, yes there are lockers in the rooms but you have to pay extra for one.
1.They do have a big one although it is often full & make sure you tag your things.
2. Didn't use the kitchen tools but I saw people cooking nice meals so you should be fine.
I visited SMART HOSTEL LONDON in september. I would advise you to choose somewhere else to stay as this place is a dump !!!
If you are travelling from Heathrow to Russell Square Tube Station, then the Piccadilly Line will take you straight there with no changes. Should take you about 40-45 minutes
"There is no elevator in this hostel. We had to go up and down with our luggage, even without luggages, it could be exhausting."Read full review
"The receptionists are helpful and understanding, the overall place is clean i really enjoyed to be here each and every time all the best.."Read full review
"It is a shared room and people have their own agenda on so accept the fact that people will come in amd out during the night sometimes . "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$27 - $195 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
smart russell square hotel london
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandLondonBloomsbury
NUMBER OF ROOMS
60
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Hostel Russell Square
Which popular attractions are close to Smart Hostel Russell Square?
Nearby attractions include The British Museum (0.3 miles), Faulty Towers the Dining Experience (0.05 miles), and THATMuse,Treasure Hunt at the Museum (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Smart Hostel Russell Square?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, self serve laundry, and breakfast.
What food & drink options are available at Smart Hostel Russell Square?
Guests can enjoy breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Smart Hostel Russell Square?
Conveniently located restaurants include Swan, The Shell Holborn, and Choppaluna.
Are there any historical sites close to Smart Hostel Russell Square?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Houses of Parliament (1.6 miles), Tower of London (2.3 miles), and Churchill War Rooms (1.5 miles).