Central Backpackers

Oxford 51.75292100, -1.26589800 , 13 Park End Street (Show on Map)
8.0
Very Good


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsCentral Backpackers in Oxford is highly regarded for its prime location, just a short walk from the train and bus stations and Oxford’s city center. Guests love the easy access to public transportation, the city’s main attractions and a variety of amenities such as supermarkets, bars and restaurants. The hostel is consistently noted for its cleanliness with kitchens, bathrooms and common areas maintained to high standards. Rooms, linens and towels are kept spotless, adding to the overall positive experience.

The staff at Central Backpackers stand out for their friendliness and helpfulness, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors appreciate their dedication to maintaining cleanliness and organizing social events, enhancing the hostel’s vibrant and sociable environment. Many guests highlight the comfort and convenience offered by the hostel, including amenities like bedside lights, USB connectors and the reasonable layout of shared spaces like the TV room, rooftop terrace bar and lounge.

Guests can start their mornings with a light, complimentary breakfast including hot croissants on select days. Free coffee and tea are also available, adding to the comfort. While breakfast is modest, it’s a pleasant touch appreciated by many.

The hostel’s beds receive mixed feedback with many guests finding them quite comfortable, warm and cozy. The inclusion of amenities such as lamps, outlets and additional pillows is well-received. However, some guests note issues with worn-out mattresses, stiff beds and noisy bunk beds. Despite these occasional drawbacks, the beds generally provide a restful sleep for an affordable stay.

While the hostel’s location amidst Oxford’s lively nightlife is a plus for those seeking entertainment, it can result in significant noise, especially on weekends. Guests sensitive to noise might find it challenging to sleep, even with the earplugs provided.

Free Wi-Fi is available, but the quality can be inconsistent with some areas experiencing weak signals or unstable connections. Nevertheless, the overall sentiment about the hostel remains positive due to the reasonable rates, cleanliness and the welcoming environment created by the dedicated staff.

In summary, Central Backpackers offers a clean, affordable and centrally-located stay with friendly staff and comfortable common areas. Guests can expect some noise from the nightlife and occasional Wi-Fi issues, but the hostel’s prime location and overall value make it a popular choice for travelers visiting Oxford.
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Hostel near Nightlife Spots
Located on Park End Street in Oxford, offering budget-friendly accommodation with great access to bars and venues near the train station and a short walk to the George Street area.

Hostel for Adults Only

Room Types
Bed in 12-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room A bed in a mixed dormitory with lockers and shared bathroom facilities.

Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room A bed in a mixed dormitory with lockers and shared bathroom facilities.

Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room Rooms are 8 square metres.

Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

Single Bed in Female Dormitory Room

Bed in 8-Bed Dormitory Room

Guest Reviews
8.0
Very Good
Location
Central Backpackers in Oxford enjoys an exceptional location, highly praised by guests for its central positioning. The hostel is conveniently situated just a short walk from both the train and bus stations, making it easily accessible for travelers. The proximity to Oxford's city center allows guests to explore the city's main attractions, including its renowned colleges, museums and nightlife, all within a few minutes on foot.

Visitors frequently remark on the hostel's advantageous location, ideal for sightseeing and conveniently close to various amenities such as supermarkets, bars and restaurants. Guests also appreciate how the hostel is clean, well-maintained and staffed by friendly individuals who contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.

Overall, Central Backpackers stands out for its prime location that offers excellent access to public transportation and the heart of Oxford, making it a perfect base for both short-term stays and extended exploration of the city.

Breakfast
Central Backpackers offers a light, complimentary breakfast that includes hot croissants on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. Guests can enjoy free fresh coffee and tea available from 7 am, making mornings a little more comfortable. The addition of free milk is appreciated by many, contributing to a pleasant start to the day. While the breakfast is modest with fresh croissants being a highlight, some guests recommend trying the great breakfasts at the nearby Yellow Submarine cafe for a more substantial meal. One area to note is that the kitchen opens at 7 am; those needing to leave earlier might find it challenging to access their stored food or make a hot drink. Despite some minor inconveniences, the free coffee and tea are often highlighted as a bonus by the visitors.

Rooms
Central Backpackers offers budget-friendly accommodation with a mix of positive and more critical feedback about its rooms. The rooms are consistently described as clean with comfortable beds and tidy linens. Individual lockers and reading lamps are provided for each bed, adding to the convenience and security for guests. Clean linens and towels are also included, which is a nice touch.

Many guests appreciated the spaciousness of the rooms and common areas, including a TV room, a rooftop terrace bar and a lounge suitable for working. These communal spaces are favored by travelers looking to socialize or relax outside their rooms.

However, the dormitories and rooms are frequently mentioned as small with some describing them as cramped and lacking in floor space. Noise is a significant issue, especially for rooms facing the street or those near the adjacent nightclub, though earplugs are provided. The ventilation could be better with some rooms feeling stuffy or overheated.

Despite some drawbacks like the small size of the lockers—only enough for a backpack—and occasional cleanliness issues, such as hair in sinks or an unpleasant odor, the overall sentiment leans towards positive given the hostel’s reasonable rates and the overall cleanliness of the facilities. The inclusion of amenities like bedside lights, USB connectors and a reasonable layout contribute to the comfort and value for money.

In summary, Central Backpackers provides a clean and affordable stay with comfortable common areas, though guests should be prepared for compact rooms and potential noise from the surrounding area.

Beds
Central Backpackers has received a range of feedback regarding their beds with a notable emphasis on comfort. Many reviews highlighted that the beds were very comfortable with several guests finding them cozy and warm. The dorm beds were often described as comfortable enough for a restful sleep and the bedding was generally seen as decent.

However, not all feedback was positive. A recurring critique was that some mattresses were uncomfortable or worn out with a few guests describing them as stiff and squeaky. The bunk beds, in particular, were noted to be noisy and hard to climb. There were also mentions of outdated beds and thin mattresses that felt stiff like wood.

Despite these issues, the addition of amenities like a lamp, outlet by each bed and two pillows per bed were appreciated by the guests. Some also liked the curtains around the beds, which added a bit of privacy, although it was noted that not all beds had them. Overall, while there's room for improvement, many guests found the beds at Central Backpackers comfortable enough for an affordable and cozy stay.

Cleanliness
Central Backpackers receives high marks for cleanliness with numerous guest reviews praising its spotless and well-maintained facilities. The kitchens, bathrooms and common areas are highlighted for their impeccable standards, often described as super clean, very clean or spotless. Guests appreciate that bathrooms and showers are cleaned frequently, sometimes even after each use and that surfaces are disinfected throughout the day. The hostel's proactive approach to cleaning, as well as its clean and organized environment, makes a strong impression.

Rooms are consistently described as clean with new and spotless sheets, clean and functional bathrooms and comfy beds. Several reviews also mentioned the cleanliness of the locker rooms and hallways, adding to the overall positive experience. The hostel is frequently referred to as tidy and well-kept with some guests noting the continuous efforts by staff to maintain this high level of cleanliness.

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, a few reviews did mention minor issues such as dirty carpets and a need for more washbasins. However, these comments were rare and did not significantly detract from the overall high standards of cleanliness reported by most guests. Overall, Central Backpackers stands out for its cleanliness, creating a comfortable and reassuring environment for travelers.

Staff
Central Backpackers has quickly become a beloved accommodation spot thanks to its consistently friendly and helpful staff. Guests rave about the excellent customer service and the warm, welcoming atmosphere created by the hostel's team. The staff, described as pleasant, accommodating and respectful, go out of their way to ensure a comfortable stay, helping with luggage, providing advice and organizing social events such as pub quizzes and game nights. Guests frequently mention the professionalism and dedication of the team, noting their ability to maintain a clean environment and their efforts to make everyone feel at home. Despite a few mentions of inconsistency in friendliness, the overwhelming sentiment is positive with many labeling the staff as amazing, super friendly and even the best they have encountered. These qualities make Central Backpackers a standout choice for travelers seeking both great service and a vibrant, sociable atmosphere.

Wi-Fi
Central Backpackers receives mixed reviews regarding its Wi-Fi. While numerous guests praised the Wi-Fi for being fast, very good and working well, others encountered issues such as no Wi-Fi in the rooms, a very weak signal in common areas or unstable connections. The free Wi-Fi is accessible in both rooms and communal areas, though its reliability appears to vary. This makes the hostel suitable for those who can tolerate occasional connectivity issues or spend time in areas where the signal is stronger. For guests who prioritize a stable internet connection, experiences may differ.

Nightlife
Central Backpackers' location amidst vibrant nightlife can be a double-edged sword for guests, particularly for those sensitive to noise. Surrounded by numerous bars, clubs and nightclubs, the area stays lively late into the night. Guests frequently mention the omnipresent noise from music venues and bustling streets, sometimes rendering earplugs ineffective. Friday and Saturday nights are especially cacophonous with loud music often continuing until the early hours. While the hostel offers comfortable beds, the rowdy nightlife and lack of effective soundproofing can make it challenging to get a good night's sleep. This location might be ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in the local entertainment scene but less suited for those seeking tranquility.


No, Central Backpackers doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at Central Backpackers.

No, Central Backpackers doesn't allow dogs.

No, parking facilities aren't available at Central Backpackers.

No, Central Backpackers doesn't have a gym.

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