In recent years the millennial traveller has become more aware of the effects of mass tourism and similarly more interested in getting to know the local community, as opposed to just getting selfies in front of world famous sights in order to tick them off their to do list. Whilst I still do the selfie thing (hello Instagram!), I believe that responsible travel should be incorporated in to any trip.
By responsible travel, I mean the understanding that by visiting a destination you are also visiting someone’s home, and whilst seeing the sights is cool, understanding the daily lives and struggles of locals is the most respectful way to be a part of their community for a few days, weeks, or even months!
SoHostel London & Supporting London’s Homeless
This is why I was so keen to attend a recent launch for SoHostel London. Not only is it right in the centre of my favourite district in London, but SoHostel is the first venture in to hostelling as a means of accommodation for travellers, by a company that is used to building hostels for the homeless. The One Housing Group owns and operates Arlington; based in Camden it is the UK’s largest homeless hostel, offering accommodation as well as training in new skills and personal development.
So how does SoHostel encourage responsible travel? The One Housing Group have created the new backpacker’s hostel to fund their Arlington Futures Charity, and profits from each traveller’s stay will go directly to help tackle homelessness in London. From their opening on October 24th of this year, beds will start at £25 for an 18-bed mixed dorm, and £40 for a 6-bed female-only dorm, whilst the budget double rooms will start from £55.
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SoHostel London First Impressions!
If I had to be honest, I really enjoyed the design of SoHostel and the enthusiasm of the staff working on the project and taking part in the running of their new venture. A huge part of my hostel reviews come down to atmosphere, and whilst the launch was pre-opening, the layout of the common areas and the positive attitude of the staff makes me think Soho has gained a very cool new hostel.
Why cool? Well this hostel has a pamper room. Oh yes… fully equipped with hairdryers, GHDs, and glamour mirrors. There is also a bar with bar stools so all those solo backpackers will be able to prop themselves up, grab a beer, and get chatting with anyone else who decides to do the same. Right next to the bar is a pool table so guests will easily be able to play for drinks! And for those guests who don’t fancy getting in on the party, SoHostel provides a projector and Fatboy bean bags for film nights… All in all they’ve thought the hostel through.
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In terms of facilities, the hostel has luggage storage both in the rooms and near reception, and each room is accessed via a key-card unique to the room. Shared showers can be found on every floor, and the 18-dorm has an en-suite shower room with room for three. Breakfast is not free, but there will be an all-day breakfast offering as well as 24-hour vending facilities, and did I mention the bar?
Location-wise, SoHostel couldn’t have done better if they’d tried. Smack bang in the middle of Soho and less than a five-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road Underground Station guests will be in the heart of a thriving town full of boutique coffee shops, theatres, the main shopping districts, chinatown, and of course Soho’s incredible nightlife.
In terms of design, the vibrant colours and bold branding give the entire hostel a really animated feel. I especially loved the branding above each of the bunks, along the corridors giving directions, and outside the Internet and Pamper rooms, and was lucky enough to meet the lovely Lucie Cooper who worked on the branding. At the recent Hostel & Budget Traveller Conference many of us discussed the importance of branding for hostels but I think SoHostel & Lucie got it spot on!
SoHostel looks to be an exciting new hostel space for the travelling community in the centre of Soho, and one I definitely plan to spend a few nights in in the future!
Lots of love,
7 comments
No one has mentioned that it was a hostel for the homeless before it was converted for “backpackers” , and those vulnerable tenants were evicted.
It is not out of character for One Housing Group (OHG) to turn their back on the homeless in Westminister given their recent behaviour. When Ealing Council recently tried to buy 16 of One Housing Group’s private sale properties for use as temporary accommodation for the homeless, the Director of Development Alan Williams objected saying that the proposal was unsuitable for what he felt was a “prestige” block.
OHG have in the last two years have almost doubled the rents for the most vulnerable in supported and elderly housing and has introduced 80% market rents for all new tenants nominated from council waiting lists. This extra revenue funds OHG’s new corporate agenda of building 1,000 flats for private sale and 500 flats let at 80% market rents each year. The move to charging market rents is entirely optional and many of OHG’s direct competitors, notably Newlon and Family Mosaic who work in the same areas and are of a similar size, have decided not to introduce market rents for their tenants.
Of course being a developer in the London property market has it’s rewards. Housing Associations have made record profits over the last three years and the sector as a whole has just recorded a one billion pound surplus. OHG are no exception, they recorded a record £36 million surplus last year. Despite this, OHG have cut pay by an average of £2,000 for 250 of their frontline support staff, while the rest of their employees have suffered a six year pay freeze.
What do OHG’s tenants and staff think of this? When tenants groups have objected to the new corporate agenda, OHG have disbanded the tenant’s associations on their estates, notably Hillview in Camden and Island Homes in Tower Hamlets. When staff have objected to pay cuts when OHG is announcing record surpluses, OHG publicly sacks the union representatives from both the recognised unions at OHG, Unite and UNISON.
In fact, it is questionable what social purpose, if any, remains at One Housing Group. The future of the Great Chappell St hostel may be seen in what they’ve done at their other large homeless hostel nearby, Arlington House. OHG have significantly reduced bed spaces at Arlington House and turned a large proportion of it into a conference centre for private hire. As for their vision of the future, an indication my lie in who they’ve have invited to speak at their new conference centre, Nick Clegg, Ian Duncan Smith, Boris Johnson to name a few, not to be outdone OHG’s CEO Mick Sweeney spoke at last years Conservative party conference to give a speech on why housing associations don’t need regulation from government.
Sadly what Mick Sweeney didn’t mention in his speech is that the majority of his income comes from government in the form of Housing Benefit payments and Local Government grants. Perhaps Mr Sweeney who awarded himself a £51,000 pay increase over the past two years while cutting pay for frontline didn’t think it worth a mention, but his income comes from his tenants and the taxpayer and as such he should welcome accountability and regulation, not seek to avoid it.
The Dean Street Hostel was quite a famous hostel for the homeless in Westminister , what did One Housing Group do with all the tenants before turning it into a bar and hotel ? Evict them I presume, more of a business than a Housing Association it seems.
Hi John – to my knowledge, and very unfortunately, the homeless hostel had to close due to financial reasons. Therefore OHG decided to create the backpackers as a resource to fund Future Arlington rather than leave the building empty – perhaps a business decision that will benefit others?
Homelessness is on the rise , shame to see these hostels and services being privatised.
Dean Street would hav been sold off but now the promise is that profits from Sohostel will go towards a fund to open a second Arlington shelter in Camden – finger’s crossed!
Do you know anything about age limits? I want to visit London with my mum, but I don’t know if she is allowed here.
As far as I know I haven’t heard of any 🙂 you can email them at info@sohostel.co.uk and I’m sure they’ll let you know 🙂
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