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Summary of reviews'YHA Cambridge' garners positive reviews for its various aspects, making it a favored lodging choice for travelers visiting the city. The hostel's prime location, a short walk from the train station and central Cambridge, stands out as exceptionally convenient for both public transport users and those exploring the city's historic sights. The peaceful yet central residential area adds charm and tranquility to the convenience.
Guests particularly praise the breakfast for its taste and variety, offering good value whether opting for a full English or continental selection. Vegan options are also available, catering to diverse dietary needs. Despite occasional service issues and limited choices for certain breakfast items, the overall experience is satisfying and economical.
The dining options at YHA Cambridge are flexible and varied with a cozy on-site bar and café, a well-equipped self-catering kitchen and proximity to numerous local restaurants and shops. This setup caters to both those who prefer to cook their own meals and those who enjoy dining out.
In terms of accommodation, YHA Cambridge offers clean and comfortable rooms noted for modern amenities like personal sockets, lights and lockers. Although some guests found the rooms small and occasionally noisy, the overall value for money and cleanliness were appreciated. Shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, while generally clean, could benefit from minor improvements such as better ventilation and additional amenities.
Cleanliness is a standout feature of the hostel with reviews frequently commending the spotless condition of dormitories, rooms and shared spaces. Staff efforts in maintaining hygiene are highly noted, contributing to a comfortable stay.
The staff at YHA Cambridge receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. The positive interactions with the staff add to the welcoming atmosphere, making guests feel at home and well cared for.
While the WiFi is notably strong in communal areas, connectivity issues in private rooms are a recurring theme. Guests requiring reliable internet access are advised to use the communal spaces.
The hostel's lively and vibrant atmosphere appeals to younger travelers and those seeking an energetic stay, although light sleepers might find the noise levels less ideal. The nearby Salisbury Arms pub adds to the social scene with reasonable food and a good selection of ales.
Beds at YHA Cambridge receive mixed reviews; while many find them comfortable with thoughtful amenities like bed lighting and USB charging points, some guests note issues with bed size and noise from the frames.
Overall, YHA Cambridge is highly recommended for its clean, comfortable accommodations, helpful staff and excellent location. Its commitment to accessibility and safety also makes it a reliable and supportive environment for all guests. Show more
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Hostel near Nightlife Spots
Located on Tenison Road, it provides budget-friendly accommodation within walking distance of some local pubs and the city center. It's a practical choice for travelers interested in experiencing Cambridge's nightlife without spending a lot on accommodation.
Cheap Hostel
Accessible Hostel
4-Star Hostel
Room Types
Bunk Bed in Male Dormitory Room with Shared BathroomDormitory-style rooms with shared bathroom facilities.
Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room with Shared BathroomDormitory-style rooms with shared bathroom facilities.
Twin Room with Shared BathroomDormitory-style rooms with bunk beds and shared bathroom facilities.
Quadruple Room with Shared BathroomDormitory-style rooms with shared bathroom facilities.
Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (6 Adults)Dormitory-style rooms with shared bathroom facilities.
Dormitory Room (5 Adults)This room includes a double bed.
Dormitory Room (6 Adults)The dormitory room features a washing machine, a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The dormitory room offers tumble dryer, a carpeted floor and heating. The unit has 6 beds.
Quadruple RoomThe quadruple room provides a washing machine and a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 4 beds.
Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (5 Adults)The dormitory room offers a washing machine, a wardrobe, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower. The dormitory room provides tumble dryer, a carpeted floor and heating. The unit offers 4 beds.
Single Room with Shared BathroomThe single room features a washing machine and a wardrobe, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. Tumble dryer, a carpeted floor and heating are offered in this single room. The unit has 1 bed.
Twin Room with Private BathroomThe twin room offers a washing machine and a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
7.9
Good
Location
Nestled conveniently close to Cambridge’s city center, 'YHA Cambridge' impresses guests with its superb location. The hostel is lauded for being a mere five to ten-minute walk from the train station, making it an ideal spot for travelers relying on public transportation. Guests appreciate its walking-distance proximity not only to the station but also to the rich historical and cultural sights of Cambridge, including the university and central attractions.
The area around the hostel is noted for its tranquility despite its central location, providing a peaceful retreat while being just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The hostel's placement in a quiet residential area adds to its charm while still being handy for major sights and local amenities.
Overall, visitors find the location of 'YHA Cambridge' to be extremely convenient, whether they are in town for leisure, visiting family or attending events. Accessibility, combined with friendly and warm hospitality, makes it a favored choice for many. With clean facilities and easy access to both the city’s central quarters and public transport, ‘YHA Cambridge’ stands out as a prime lodging option in the historic city of Cambridge.
Breakfast
Visitors to YHA Cambridge frequently praise the breakfast for its taste and value, often describing it as good, substantial and reasonably priced. Many guests appreciate the variety offered, including full English and continental options, highlighting that the full English breakfast is particularly noteworthy. Vegan options are also available, catering to diverse dietary preferences.
Despite the generally positive feedback, some guests have commented on areas needing improvement. The breakfast service can be slow with occasional issues like disorganization and running out of key items. The continental breakfast, while budget-friendly, lacks espresso coffee and cappuccino. Additionally, the offering of cereals and pastries could be expanded to provide more choice.
Overall, the breakfast serves as a solid and economical option for travelers, contributing to a pleasant dining experience during their stay.
Dinner
YHA Cambridge offers a variety of dining options that cater to different preferences. The hostel boasts a cozy bar and café where guests can enjoy café food or bring their own meals to eat. The dining room, notable for its blue-painted walls, acts as a central, bustling space where guests can dine and socialize. Additionally, there is a self-catering kitchen with complete and spacious facilities, allowing guests to prepare their own food. For those who prefer to buy food, options are available at the hostel itself, including in the ground floor chilling area with the restaurant and a cafeteria area. The hostel's location is also advantageous, being close to numerous restaurants and shops, as well as the local pub, Salisbury Arms, which offers reasonable food and a variety of cask ales. Overall, YHA Cambridge provides flexible dining facilities, whether guests choose to self-cater order food on-site or explore the nearby culinary scene.
Rooms
YHA Cambridge offers a mix of experiences for travelers, focusing on clean and well-maintained rooms at a reasonable price in an excellent location in central Cambridge. Many guests appreciated the cleanliness and tidy condition of both private and shared rooms, as well as the modern and comfortable feel of the accommodations. The hostel provides ample storage space with some rooms equipped with personal sockets, lights and lockers. Families also found the rooms adequate and guests could book individual rooms for more privacy.
However, the size of the rooms was a common concern. Many guests found the rooms to be quite small, sometimes cramped, especially during hot weather when ventilation issues were more noticeable. The beds were often described as narrow and sometimes uncomfortable. Noise was occasionally an issue, especially in rooms next to shared facilities or those situated by the train station.
Despite these drawbacks, the facilities were generally praised. Shared kitchens were convenient for self-catering, although a bit small and occasionally dirty. Bathrooms, while clean, could benefit from better equipment such as non-slip mats and more hooks. Ventilation was another recurring issue with many rooms being described as hot and stuffy.
Overall, YHA Cambridge offers good value for money with clean, comfortable and reasonably priced accommodations in a prime location, though guests might find the room sizes and ventilation less than ideal during their stay.
Beds
The beds at YHA Cambridge have received notable feedback from guests with a mix of positive and critical remarks. Primarily, many guests found the beds to be quite comfortable with several mentions of comfy mattresses and pillows. Some reviews highlighted the bed arrangements as being well thought out with appreciated amenities like bedside lighting and USB charging options. Cleanliness was also positively noted in some reviews.
However, there were frequent mentions of the beds being narrow and occasionally too small, which seemed to detract from the overall comfort experience for some guests. A few reviews pointed out that the mattresses could be thin or made of plastic, which some found unsupportive. There were also mentions of noisy bed frames and loud rubbing noises when turning over in lower bunks, which could disrupt sleep.
Despite these criticisms, the addition of power outlets and individual lighting systems by the beds, as well as sufficient locker space, were appreciated by many. Some guests did experience issues with noise and temperature, which seemed to affect their overall bed comfort. Nevertheless, for many visitors, the comfortable beds and thoughtful amenities made for a satisfactory stay at YHA Cambridge.
Cleanliness
YHA Cambridge has received numerous positive remarks regarding its cleanliness, setting it apart as one of the cleanest hostels around. Guests frequently noted clean, tidy and hygienic dormitories, rooms and shared spaces with bathrooms being cleaned multiple times a day to maintain their spotless condition. The premises overall are often described as very clean and modern with everything looking freshly maintained.
The communal facilities, including the guest kitchen and dining areas, were well-kept and orderly, contributing to a pleasant environment. Staff members play a significant role in maintaining this high standard of cleanliness, frequently checking and cleaning facilities, leaving guests feeling comfortable and welcome. This dedication to cleanliness extends to the laundry room, which also garnered positive feedback.
Despite some minor issues like occasional wet floors in toilets and shared bathroom facilities, the reviews overwhelmingly commend the hostel's commitment to hygiene. The staff's friendly and helpful demeanor, combined with the cleanliness of the property, provides a reassuring and comfortable stay for travelers. However, some suggestions for improvements were mentioned, such as adding curtains in rooms and providing towels.
Overall, YHA Cambridge's cleanliness, coupled with its central location and supportive staff, makes it a solid and trustworthy option for those visiting the city.
Staff
YHA Cambridge stands out for its exceptional staff, consistently praised for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Visitors appreciated smooth 24-hour check-ins and commendatory interactions with the reception team, who were described as super nice, informative and cheerful. The staff demonstrated empathy, attentiveness and a willingness to accommodate guests' needs, including moving guests to larger rooms and assisting with bus reservations.
Reviewers highlighted a welcoming atmosphere, bolstered by the staff's courteous and positive attitudes. The facility is noted for its cleanliness, good value for money and its convenient location near the center of Cambridge. Additionally, guests benefitted from available amenities such as a spacious communal area, laundry facilities and free luggage storage.
Overall, the warmth and excellence of the YHA Cambridge staff played a significant role in ensuring a pleasant and comfortable stay for guests, making it a recommended choice for travelers seeking reliable service and a friendly environment.
Wi-Fi
YHA Cambridge offers a generally positive WiFi experience but with notable limitations. Guests frequently mentioned that the WiFi was good, consistently available and had a decent speed in communal areas such as the lounge, reception and restaurant. Some reviews highlight the availability of free hot drinks, hot water and milk, which enhance the communal experience where the WiFi is strongest.
However, numerous guests reported issues with WiFi connectivity in the rooms, especially on higher floors and in corridors. Problems such as weak signals, unreliable connections or complete lack of WiFi in rooms were common. Several reviews noted that the WiFi was either inaccessible or very inconsistent in private areas, making it difficult to perform tasks like watching videos or staying connected online.
For those requiring dependable internet access, the best bet is to stick to communal areas where WiFi performs well. The self-catering option remains a helpful feature for those planning a longer stay. While the communal spaces offer a reliable online experience, guests should plan accordingly if they need steady internet access in their rooms.
Nightlife
YHA Cambridge offers a vibrant and youthful atmosphere, making it an appealing option for those seeking an energetic stay. The hostel's common areas are beautifully decorated and kept clean, creating a pleasant environment. Guests have noted the affordable rates, making it an excellent value for money.
However, it's worth noting that the lively ambiance extends late into the night. The area around YHA Cambridge seems to attract a younger crowd, including party enthusiasts and students, which can result in significant nighttime noise. Reports of intoxicated guests and noisy activities such as karaoke parties indicate that the hostel might not be the best fit for light sleepers or those seeking a more tranquil experience.
If you're looking to join the fun, the nearby Salisbury Arms pub offers a welcoming spot with reasonable food options and a variety of cask ales. This locale complements the hostel's spirited environment, providing an additional venue for socializing and enjoying the local nightlife.
4 Star
YHA Cambridge consistently impresses with its clean and comfortable accommodations. Guests particularly appreciated the comfy beds and the spacious seating in the dining area. The rooms, described as clean, tidy and fresh, along with the friendly and welcoming staff, contribute to an overall pleasant stay. The hostel offers great value for money with very good quality facilities and services that exceed typical hostel standards. Its cozy, comfy café further enhances the experience, making it feel less like a traditional hostel and more like a superior lodging choice. Highly recommended for an exceptional visit to Cambridge.
Accessible
YHA Cambridge receives high marks for its accessibility and convenience, particularly for guests with disabilities. Situated in a quiet area, the hostel is lauded for being easily accessible with clean and secure facilities. Its prime location near the railway station ensures that travel to and from the hostel is both cheap and quick, making it an ideal base for exploration. Guests appreciate the easy access to public transport and convenient on-site parking.
The hostel's layout allows for easy navigation through the property and all facilities, including bathrooms, showers, laundry and kitchen areas, are designed to be easily accessible. The staff is consistently described as friendly and helpful, enhancing the overall experience.
Safety is another highlight with secure property features such as luggage storage and bicycle lockers in the back garden. The location, being close to both the station and the city center, further adds to the convenience, ensuring guests can explore Cambridge with ease. Overall, YHA Cambridge offers a supportive and accessible environment for all guests.
No, YHA Cambridge doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at YHA Cambridge.
No, YHA Cambridge doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at YHA Cambridge.