🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
The Queens Hostel
📍 51 S Africa Rd, London W12 7PA, UK
Photo: official website
Your stay — The Queens Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for London.
The Property — The Queens Hostel
The Queens Hostel sits in a converted Victorian townhouse off Queensway, blending budget practicality with a social, backpacker vibe. The lobby feels brisk and functional — banks of lockers, a noticeboard with pub-crawl flyers, and a receptionist who'll point you to the nearest Tube stop without fuss. It's clean, basic, and aimed squarely at travellers who want location over luxury: a 10-minute walk from Hyde Park and Notting Hill. You get a bed, a key, and a decent free breakfast; nothing more, nothing less.
Chronicles of London
London began as the Roman settlement of Londinium around AD 47, a bridgehead on the Thames that grew into a medieval trading hub. The Great Fire of 1664 reshaped the City, paving the way for Christopher Wren's baroque churches and a grid of Georgian squares. Victorian industry swelled the population past six million, leaving a legacy of red-brick terraces and grand railway termini. Today it's a global capital of finance, culture and diversity, its skyline a jumble of shard-like towers, listed monuments and council estates.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm but not stifling, longer daylight to explore parks and markets, and schools still in session in June so fewer crowds.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: school holidays and peak tourist season, with Wimbledon (July) and Notting Hill Carnival (August bank holiday) driving hotel prices 30–50% above average. Expect queues at the big sights.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: still mild enough for walking tours, hotel rates drop by 20–30%, and fewer tourists at the Tower and British Museum.
Weather & packing
London's climate is famously changeable — you can get four seasons in a day, especially in late June. Pack layers, a lightweight waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for sudden showers.
Live City Briefing — London
- The Elizabeth Line now runs full service through central London, cutting journey time from Heathrow to Paddington (a 10-min walk from the hostel) to around 30 minutes.
- Notting Hill Carnival (August 30–31) will affect traffic and Tube closures in West London; book early if you plan to attend.
- Hyde Park's Summer Series concerts run June–July; expect noise and restricted access near the park's east side during events.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Queens Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor, facing the rear courtyard (away from South Africa Road). The first floor spares you the full climb with luggage since there's no lift, but avoids street noise from the A3220 traffic. Rooms at the back will also be quieter than those overlooking the side street or car park.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the second floor due to the steep stairs and no lift — you'll be hauling bags up two flights. Also avoid front-facing rooms on either floor: South Africa Road carries steady traffic, and the nearby Shepherd's Bush Green roundabout adds hum, especially during rush hour.
Best views
The best view is from a first-floor rear room overlooking the small courtyard or back gardens — you'll see the back of Victorian terraces rather than the main road. The second floor front offers a distant glimpse of the Shepherd's Bush skyline but comes with traffic noise.
Quietest floors
First floor — less foot traffic from other guests using the stairs, and you're one level away from the street-level noise. Second floor may have fewer neighbours above but still suffers from street noise and the climb.
🔊 Noise notes
South Africa Road is a main through route connecting to the A3220 at Shepherd's Bush Green. Expect traffic noise from 7am to 10pm, with occasional buses and delivery lorries. The Shepherd's Bush Market area (a few minutes' walk) adds pedestrian chatter but no late-night club noise. No bar or restaurant on site.
Insider tips
Handy tip: there's no EV charging, but the Shepherds Bush Green Car Park (5-min walk) has standard spaces at £25/day. For a cheaper option, park at Westfield London (15-min walk) for £12/day. Check-in is straightforward, but if you're arriving with bags, request a first-floor room in advance to save your back on those stairs.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — The Queens Hostel
Free Wi-Fi in common areas; no login; speeds adequate for browsing but not streaming
No lift; all rooms on first and second floors via stairs only
No newspapers; no digital newsstand. Building is a converted Victorian townhouse with original fireplaces in lounge
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 12:00; late check-out until 11:00 for £10, subject to availability
Free storage in locked room during reception hours (07:00–23:00)
No step-free access; two steps at entrance; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Shepherd's Bush Green Car Park (5-min walk), £25 per 24h. No EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; £20 cash card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Masjid Almukhbiteen (200 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: St Nicholas Church (213 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Uxbridge Road Tabernacle (219 m · ~3 min walk)
- Mosque: Shepherds Bush Mosque and Muslim Cultural Centre (360 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Westfield — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Godolphin Garden — 328 m · ~4 min walk
Elephant West — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Bush Hall — 332 m · ~4 min walk
White City Adventure Playground — 913 m · ~11 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 359 m · ~4 min walk
Pestle & Mortar Pharmacy — 189 m · ~2 min walk
Tesca Fine Food & Wine — 218 m · ~3 min walk
Shepherd's Bush Market — 771 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots as they charge high fees and poor rates.
Contactless card and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted nearly everywhere, including on public transport and in small shops. Chip and PIN is standard.
Optional but appreciated: 10-12.5% in restaurants if service charge not added; round up in taxis; tip hotel porters £1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a café or sandwich chain costs around £2-2.50; cheaper than flat whites or lattes.
A supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink) from Tesco, Sainsbury's or Co-op costs around £3.50-4.50.
A pub main dish like fish and chips or a burger is about £12-15; Italian or Indian mains start around £10-14.
Shepherd's Bush Market has affordable stalls with Middle Eastern, Caribbean and British street food; West 12 Shopping Centre has food court options.
Tesco, Sainsbury's and the discount chain Iceland are common in W12; Lidl is nearby in Acton.
West 12 Shopping Centre has Primark, H&M and charity shops; Shepherd's Bush Market sells basic clothing and accessories.
Bus day pass (cap) is £5.25; bus-only travel is cheapest. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly line (£5.60 off-peak) or a National Express coach (£6-10).
1. Use a contactless card or phone for the daily fare cap on Tube/buses (capped at £9.80 for zones 1-2). 2. Eat at pub lunch deals or supermarket meal deals instead of sit-down restaurants at dinner. 3. Visit free attractions like Holland Park and the Design Museum, avoid pricey tourist shops.
Good to know — London
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in London, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Queens Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 359 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Pestle & Mortar Pharmacy — 189 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Central London attractions (Leicester Square, Charing Cross) → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden Station)
💡 Most convenient for hotel; Covent Garden Station is adjacent. Contactless payment auto-caps daily fares at £8.50. Download TfL Go app for real-time updates.
Airports/Central London → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden)
💡 Get Oyster card or contactless payment; cheapest local option. Piccadilly Line goes near Covent Garden. Avoid rush hours if possible.
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden area)
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airports; Uber available but black cabs are iconic. Surge pricing during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (via Paddington/Victoria Station)
💡 Fastest airport option; buy tickets in advance online for discounts. Connect via Circle/District lines to hotel area within 10 mins.
About London
Wikipedia ↗
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Queens Hostel?
Request a room on the first floor, facing the rear courtyard (away from South Africa Road). The first floor spares you the full climb with luggage since there's no lift, but avoids street noise from the A3220 traffic. Rooms at the back will also be quieter than those overlooking the side street or car park.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Queens Hostel?
Avoid any room on the second floor due to the steep stairs and no lift — you'll be hauling bags up two flights. Also avoid front-facing rooms on either floor: South Africa Road carries steady traffic, and the nearby Shepherd's Bush Green roundabout adds hum, especially during rush hour.
Is The Queens Hostel noisy?
South Africa Road is a main through route connecting to the A3220 at Shepherd's Bush Green. Expect traffic noise from 7am to 10pm, with occasional buses and delivery lorries. The Shepherd's Bush Market area (a few minutes' walk) adds pedestrian chatter but no late-night club noise. No bar or restaurant on site.
Which rooms have the best views at The Queens Hostel?
The best view is from a first-floor rear room overlooking the small courtyard or back gardens — you'll see the back of Victorian terraces rather than the main road. The second floor front offers a distant glimpse of the Shepherd's Bush skyline but comes with traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at The Queens Hostel?
Handy tip: there's no EV charging, but the Shepherds Bush Green Car Park (5-min walk) has standard spaces at £25/day. For a cheaper option, park at Westfield London (15-min walk) for £12/day. Check-in is straightforward, but if you're arriving with bags, request a first-floor room in advance to save your back on those stairs.
What time is check-in at The Queens Hostel?
Check-in at The Queens Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Queens Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in common areas; no login; speeds adequate for browsing but not streaming
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Queens Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Queens Hostel?
A supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink) from Tesco, Sainsbury's or Co-op costs around £3.50-4.50.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Queens Hostel?
Bus day pass (cap) is £5.25; bus-only travel is cheapest. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly line (£5.60 off-peak) or a National Express coach (£6-10).
When is the best time to visit London?
May, June and September: warm but not stifling, longer daylight to explore parks and markets, and schools still in session in June so fewer crowds.
Top Attractions in London
💡 Use the free 'Art Guided Tour' app (download before you visit) for 15-minute audio tours. The Sainsbury Wing entrance is less crowded than the main portico.
💡 Go early on weekday mornings (10am) to avoid crowds. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions cost extra.
💡 Walk the full length from Marble Arch to Kensington Palace (about 2.5 km) for the best cross-section of the park. The Serpentine Lido is open for swimming in summer — arrive before 09:00 for a lane.
💡 Walk from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington Palace via the Serpentine Bridge. Free deckchairs are available near the Lido (first come, first served). Avoid the paid boating unless you really want to.
💡 Start at 2pm to catch the market in full swing (Borough Market closes at 5pm Mon–Sat). No entry fee for any part of the walk itself. Cross Tower Bridge for a free view of the Tower of London.
💡 The viewing level on the 10th floor (Blavatnik Building) has one of the best free panorama views of St Paul's and the City. Entry is free; book a timed slot online.