Index: rh
Worst Benchmarks


The opinions expressed on the merits of the various hostels are those of myself, with some input by my partner. Don't take the comments too seriously, depending on my general demeanour and well being I might, on another day, reach different conclusions. Occasionally my partner and I may disagree as to the relative merits of a particular point. When this happens, what I say goes - tough I know, but as I do all the driving I have the final say!

A low mark doesn't necessarily mean that the hostel isn't a good one, it may well have scored excellently in areas that you consider important, whilst not scoring points for facilities that you don't require.


Worst Hostel Benchmarks

THE BLACK LIST
 This is the page on which every self respecting hostel does not want its name to appear. A listing below indicates that in the view of the Reluctant Hosteler they are, at best, average in the respective category.

WORST TOTAL SCORE
Each hostel should aim for a total score of at least 61.
Below this score and the hostel will not receive a ' Star Rating' from the Reluctant Hosteler, and will be added to the list.

WORST INDIVIDUAL SCORES
 The Additional Facilities categories are not included in these ratings. For all other categories a hostel should aim to score a minimum of 6 points or they will be included in the list.

Worst TOTAL SCORE
CITY OF LONDON - With a total score of only 54 points this hostel is not awarded any stars under our ratings. A score of 61 minimum is required to qualify for a 1 STAR = FAIR rating. The City of London hostel is only rated as AVERAGE by the Reluctant Hosteler.
CITY OF LONDON *
London (St. Paul's)
54
2003  
Since our stay in this hostel the YHA has upgraded the City of London to ETC 3 Stars. The YHA state that improvements have been made to the hostel.

Worst score for LOCATION
ST. PANCRAS - Not much that St. Pancras Hostel can do about its location. You need to look after your personal safety when walking around this area of London, it really gives me the creeps at night. Security of the actual hostel itself is good. If assessed purely for travelling to and from Euston, St. Pancras or Kings Cross railway stations then its location would be rated as superb, but this for me is its only good point.
St. PANCRAS ***
London
4
2002  

Worst score for BUILDING & ATMOSPHERE
 CITY OF LONDON - Uninspiring building which in my mind is totally lacking in atmosphere.
CITY OF LONDON *
London (St. Paul's)
4
2003  
Since our stay in this hostel the YHA has upgraded the City of London to ETC 3 Stars. The YHA state that improvements have been made to the hostel.

Worst score for CLEANLINESS & TIDINESS
NO QUALIFIERS      

Worst score for ROOM
CITY OF LONDON - The original room we were allocated was very small, and I'm afraid scruffy, which are not the standards we have found at other youth hostels. After complaining we were switched to a 4-bunk room, which was a little better, well, it was larger at least! St. Paul's Cathedral is close at hand - as it reminds you every 15 minutes throughout the night!
CITY OF LONDON
London (St. Paul's)
3
2003  
Since our stay in this hostel the YHA has upgraded the City of London to ETC 3 Stars. The YHA state that improvements have been made to the hostel.

Worst score for SHOWERS AND TOILET FACILITIES
NO QUALIFIERS      

Worst scores for CAR PARKING
WHITBY - A drop off point close to the hostel and some free unsecured parking within walking distance.
St. PANCRAS ***
London
0
2002  
CITY OF LONDON *
London (St. Paul's)
0
2003  
WHITBY *
North York Moors
3
2002 Aug  

Worst score for SHOP FACILITIES
 ESKDALE - No village shop facilities nearby, they need to improve this.
ESKDALE
Lake District
5
2003 Aug  

Worst score for 3 COURSE EVENING MEAL
NO QUALIFIERS      

Worst score for BREAKFAST
NO QUALIFIERS      

Worst score for FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF
 CITY OF LONDON - After making my booking by phone, the receptionist asked me how I wished to pay. My reply was that I wished to use a FREE NIGHT YHA voucher. I was then told that this was not allowed on a private room, only on dormitory accommodation. When I informed her that my voucher was clearly stamped for a ' Family Room', and that Grasmere and York had already accepted the same vouchers in exchange for a free night, they backtracked, but with little good grace. I have other complaints about my night at this hostel. When I informed them that the room allocated was in my view substandard their attitude was less than apologetic. The problems continued. During the evening meal I could not entice the drinks machine to give me a cup of tea or coffee. On requesting assistance I was told that the machine was locked and the person with the key was somewhere else in the building. We were actually leaving to go to a show when, 30 minutes later, the key turned up - pathetic. They were lucky to get 4 points on this performance.
CITY OF LONDON
London (St. Paul's)
4
 2003  

Trough of Bowland in Autumn. Photo Copyright: Alan Richards