If you’re on a Contiki trip departing from London, then you’re going to be leaving from the ‘Contiki Basement’ HQ. The Contiki Basement is located in the basement of the Royal National Hotel.
Contiki recommends the Royal National Hotel as a great place to stay before or after your tour. Now, because Contiki isn’t what you’d consider luxury travel, you would be right to expect that this hotel isn’t so great. It’s only rated 3 out of 5 on TripAdvisor, which is relatively poor – but it is cheap for London, and it’s perfectly acceptable.
As a past Contiki traveller, I stayed in the Royal National Hotel (actually, so did a lot of others too). And honestly, the best thing about Royal National Hotel is the location. It’s literally right above where your tour bus leaves.
If you are on a tight budget, then you might want to consider spending less money for something just as good within a 5 – 10 minutes walk from the Contiki Basement.
So why not check out these five hostel alternatives available to book at HostelWorld.
1 YHA London St Pancras
🔑 79-81 Euston Road
🏆 9.0 rating on HostelWorld
💷 From £30 ($58 AUD approx.) per night
⏱ 10-minute walk to Contiki Basement
YHA London St Pancras has friendly reception and bar staff, clean rooms and a lounge which is really comfortable to hang around and is rated highly for value for money.2 Generator Hostel London
🔑 37 Tavistock Place
🏆 7.9 rating on HostelWorld
💷 From £27 ($53 AUD approx.) per night
⏱ 6-minute walk to Contiki BasementHostelworld guests have said Generator Hostel London is a clean, secure, 'well-organised hostel with good and professional staff'. We like their 'lively and atmospheric' bar, which travellers tell us is 'a great place to hang out a bit and have a beer while meeting nice people from around the globe'.
3 Pickwick Hall
🔑 7 Bedford Place
🏆 9.0 rating on HostelWorld
💷 From £35 ($67 AUD approx.) per night
⏱ 7-minute walk to Contiki BasementAdmittedly, the photos of this hostel are pretty awful, but it is highly rated. Pickwick Hall provides accommodation for tourists, students and other people who require cheap, clean and attractive short or long-term lodging.
4 Smart Russell Square Hostel
🔑 71 Guilford Street
🏆 6.9 rating on HostelWorld
💷 From £22 ($43 AUD approx.) per night
⏱ 5-minute walk to Contiki BasementNestled in the heart of London, walking distance to iconic British Museum and Europe’s most popular shopping area, Oxford Street, Smart Russell Square is the perfect destination for budget-conscious travellers who want to experience amazing London adventure.
Every room is key card locked as is entry to the main part of the building, security lockers are present in every room.
5 Astor Museum Inn
🔑 27 Montague Street, Bloomsbury
🏆 9.0 rating on HostelWorld
💷 From £29 ($56 AUD approx.) per night
⏱ 7-minute walk to Contiki BasementThis hostel won 1st Best Small hostel chain and 1st in the Lifetime achievement awards at the 2015 Hoscars. Fancy! Astor Museum Inn is across the street from the British Museum in 'a classy part of town', according to one Hostelworld user.
HostelWorld reviewers have praised this hostel's 'awesome, very friendly staff' who offer 'excellent service for the value'.
Have you stayed in any of these hostels, or recommend others? Please let us know in the comments below.
Thanks for the suggestions. We just booked the Smart Russell Square Hostel. See you soon London!
Great to hear Jessie. Enjoy London & your Contiki tour 🙂
The Royal National hotel had a renovation before I stayed and it was lovely.
Met so many others going on my tour and easy for getting on the bus early in the morning. Much better than a hostel in my opinion
You’re lucky Lauren! When I stayed back in 2008 it was pretty run-down. Agreed about how handy it is for getting the bus too.
Great list. Thanks guys.
Was thinking about Royal National… but didn’t even think you could get a decent hostel in central London for a good price.
Don’t get me wrong Sam, The RN Hotel is OK (and even better since its refurb), but some people are on a tight budget and you’d be surprised what nice hostels you can find.