A PRIVATE HOSTEL
Many hotels offer dormitory accommodations (multishares) where solo visitors share a room with other travelers. If you're traveling with a backpack and arrive at one of London's major railroad stations, you may be handed advertisements for these "unofficial" hotels. These are legitimate, but investigate the location before you commit.
New Kent Hotel
55 Inverness Terrace, London, W2. Fax 01711727-1190. 16 rms, none with bath; 25 multishare beds. E35 ($52.50) double; E42 ($63) triple; f12 ($18) per person in a multishare per night, f 68 ($102) per week. Rates include English breakfast. No credit cards. Tube: Bayswater; then cross Queensway onto Inverness Place; Inverness Terrace is just one block away.
This hotel overlooks a quiet Bayswater street not far from bustling Queensway. It's clean, fun and friendly. There are rarely, if ever, more than four people sharing a room, but if you require more privacy, ask for one of the well-furnished doubles.
IYHF HOSTELS
The International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) runs four establishments in central London, all very crowded during summer. You have to have a membership card to stay at one of the organization's hostels, available for about L8 ($12) at any of the hostels below. When staying at a hostel, you can save about Ll ($1.50) per night by supplying your own sheets.
Carter Lane Youth Hostel
36 Carter Lane, London EC4. V 0171/236-4965. 199 beds. f18 ($27) per person per night for travelers over 21. IVIC, V. Tube: St. Paul's; then turn right, make your way toward the front steps of the cathedral, and follow Dean's Court, a small street, to the corner of Carter Lane.
This top pick, in a wonderfully restored old building that was once a school for choir boys, boasts a good number of singles, and most of the multishare rooms have no more than four beds each. The hostel is in the heart of The City of London on a small backstrect near St. Paul's Cathedral-a location good for sightseeing but poor for dining and nightlife, as everything in The City closes when the bankers go home.
Earl's Court Youth Hostel
38 Bolton Gardens, London SW5. IT 0171/373-7083. 100 beds. f15 ($22.50) per person per night for travelers over 21. IVIC, V. Tube: Earl's Court Road; then turn right and Bolton Gardens is the fifth street on your left.
In well-positioned but slightly seedy Earl's Court, this hostel is lively, and stores in the area tend to stay open late. Most accommodations are 10-bed dorms.
Holland House
Holland Park, London W8.. 190 beds. f 17 ($25.50) per person per night for travelers over 21. Rates include continental breakfast. MC, V. Tube: Holland Park. This hostel enjoys the most beautiful setting of all London's IMF hostels. It's right in the middle of Kensington's Holland Park. Oxford Street Youth Hostel 14-18 Noel St., W1. IT 0171/734-1618. 87 beds. D8 ($27) per person per night. Rates include sheets. MC, V. Tube: Oxford Circus.
Small and centrally located, this hostel is also the most basic in town. There's a large kitchen for guests' use. Not surprisingly, it costs more to locate here, but if you can get a reservation, it's well worth it.
