87%Balham Lodge

very nice welcome and service, your hostel makes our trip better! thank you very much for this =)

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by aurelien503 – posted on Aug 13, 2008

1

Not one if you're there for the nightlife but ticks all the other boxes. Breakfeast is a big plus.

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by nstokeld6285 – posted on Aug 11, 2008

1

great place to stay

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by twomeykieran42 – posted on Aug 8, 2008

1

I wouldn't recommend this hostel at all! We found ticks and louses all over the room.. and we spent a horrible night trying to kill them!! Worse than any nightmare.. :( (Altamente non consigliato gente... a meno che non vogliate essere morsi dalle zecche! )

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by liv848464 – posted on Aug 6, 2008

3

All staff are so happy and friendly except for the one foriegn cleaning.She was rude and made us feel very uneasy. We didn't get our room cleaned properly- she said there was too many clothes on the floor

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by stevenbush827774 – posted on Aug 4, 2008

1

Really nice hostel, very friendly staff. It wasn't a problem to picnic outside in the evening. If I'd go to London again, i would stay there!

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by leenvandenbussche3521 – posted on Jul 30, 2008

1

Staff is so helpful, and the hostel is absolutely great. Definitely will come back again!

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by shongcave – posted on Jul 29, 2008

12

The location was really the problem. From Victoria underground, it was about 15 minutes with one change at Stockwell. From the Balham station, it was the fourth stop. The underground trains were reliable but the bus was another story. For short stays; e.g. 2 nights, I would not recommend it... more The location was really the problem. From Victoria underground, it was about 15 minutes with one change at Stockwell. From the Balham station, it was the fourth stop. The underground trains were reliable but the bus was another story. For short stays; e.g. 2 nights, I would not recommend it because of the location. We stayed for 4 nights so it was okay.close

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by johanna3546 – posted on Jul 28, 2008

6

Staff friendly and helpful, rooms and facilities good. The front rooms are pretty noisy, back room was much better.

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by jandpgatenby9217 – posted on Jul 27, 2008

1

We had a wonderful 4 night stay at Balham Lodge. We had parking for our car we hired. It was great as a base for the South of the UK. The walk to the station was easy and shops & food close by. The staff were really friendly and the food was great. Lovely new renovations. Would recommend and...

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by aknigh – posted on Jul 24, 2008

1

really friendly people, very romantic place!! we had a great time there!

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by marijnsomers565 – posted on Jul 24, 2008

1

This was a great place, only problem breakfast not as hot as I liked, but otherwise it was great, catered for vegetarians could adjust breakfast to my needs. Will stay there again.

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by washedout – posted on Jul 13, 2008

2

I really liked the stay there, the staff were very friendly and helpful. Cheers

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by eleferia8095 – posted on Jul 8, 2008

1

Staff was wonderful, very helpful; great breakfast; lots of street noise during the night but that was the only negative. The location is kind of far out but still very accessible to/from the city.

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by karmen3639 – posted on Jul 8, 2008

5

This was a really amazing hostel, a little off the beaten track but definitely worth the extra travel time. Was incredibly clean and comfortable; we felt very safe and at home here. Definitely would recommend it, we'll be staying there again.

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by ame-hurren6255 – posted on Jul 7, 2008

1

Let me start off by saying we stayed at 15 places on our Europe trip and this is the ONLY place I have given a bad rating, which shocked me considering the high rating given by most others. We are not at all picky people and had great experiences in pretty much all of the places we stayed other... more Let me start off by saying we stayed at 15 places on our Europe trip and this is the ONLY place I have given a bad rating, which shocked me considering the high rating given by most others. We are not at all picky people and had great experiences in pretty much all of the places we stayed other than here. First off, the place ironically did not have staff that spoke English well! They were unable to answer simple questions. They had the same guy working from 7PM-8AM (yes, for 13 hours straight, I'm pretty sure that's illegal), which is pretty much the only time we were in the place. He was unable to answer any questions would tell us to direct any questions to the owner, who was never there when we were there! Secondly, the first night we stayed there we had a room on the roof, where it was unbearably hot and you could not walk in 75% of the room because the roof sloped down so much. We asked to switch rooms for our stay later in the week and they told us it was not possible! I had to argue to get a new room. Also, while the rooms are secure, we were a little disturbed that they would always move our personal belongings all over the room when they cleaned. We couldn't find half our stuff when we got back. There was also lots of hair in the drain when we arrived and the towels were badly stained. Now, for the worst part: they turned our laundry BLUE!!!! Then the owner blamed us for not telling the worker to use cold water. I'm pretty sure that it's common sense to use cold water when washing colored clothes. Anyway, we asked for money to replace our clothes and the owner was extremely rude and obnoxious and kept trying to blame us for their mistake. She eventually gave us some money but kept trying to make us feel guilty by saying stuff like she just got out of the hospital and how she is such a kind person. Ummm, yea...and then she tried to charge us for the laundry service. No joke. Last of all, the location: As noted by others, it's not convenient. We actually like staying outside city centers, but this was absurd. It's a 15 minute walk to the tube stop and then 25-30 minutes into the city. The tube from here is always packed because its a suburb and everyone goes in and out of the city. Plus Balham itself, while safe, is extremely dull. I guess we just had a very atypical experience at the Balham Lodge, but it was just disaster after disaster. I have never met such a rude and disrespectful owner. I know most other have liked their stay here, but I had to share our story. I do have to admit, at least the breakfast was good :)close

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by andythecandyman – posted on Jul 5, 2008

11

Its not in a very central location, very clean, very friendly staff.

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by jehanyakoo – posted on Jul 5, 2008

3

The location of the guest house is about 15 minute walk from the closest tube station, which in turn is about 8 stops from city centre. Aside from the slight hinderance of the location, everything else was great - friendly staff, laundry, full breakfast included, internet, television - the... more The location of the guest house is about 15 minute walk from the closest tube station, which in turn is about 8 stops from city centre. Aside from the slight hinderance of the location, everything else was great - friendly staff, laundry, full breakfast included, internet, television - the works, basically. Would definitely stay here again.close

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by thepl8069 – posted on Jul 4, 2008

8

Very nice B&B, lovely all you can eat breakfasts and the staff were always very friendly.

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by monique6706 – posted on Jul 3, 2008

10

I was very happy with this lodge. It is clean, the entire staff was excellent, the breakfast was great, the rooms were clean, the building was very nicely updated ..... I highly recommend staying here and would do so again the next time I come to London.

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by johnsuguitan3149 – posted on Jul 3, 2008

3

If I come back to London I will stay at Balham Lodge))

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by tabser – posted on Jul 1, 2008

1

Friendly staff, very clean room and dining room, hot water in peak hours, great breakfast, quiet place, good price. A bit bigger distance from downtown. We stayed 3 nights and certainly would return when travelling to London again.

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by michalcerny3132 – posted on Jul 1, 2008

1

Satisfactory hotel, took 30 minutes to get into downtown, but pleasant neighbourhood, good food. Double bed is a bit too narrow for European standards, but it is the same eveywhere in the UK, so opt for a twin if possible.

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by aniko-balogh8807 – posted on Jun 30, 2008

1

just perfect - we did not mind travelling to the city centre. the perfectly quiet location, the outstanding breakfast, the tidy rooms and the cheerful staff made up for that. we will definitely return!

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by patricia5709 – posted on Jun 26, 2008

3

Charming little place.

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by imdwalrus1979 – posted on Jun 26, 2008

1

very good and a very good breakfast, large rooms, nice area of London. would stay there when i back in London

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by maximum6au – posted on Jun 21, 2008

22

The cleanliness was quite OK except from the tables in the breakfastroom. And why remove the soap (used once) without replacing it? Otherwise everything was satisfactory.

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by annelie3396 – posted on Jun 20, 2008

1

Absolutely value for money! A little far to go into London, but that is the only downside. Loved their (English) breakfast!

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by johfel – posted on Jun 16, 2008

21

I highly recommend this hostel. Although it's a little bit farther outside of the city (20-25 min tube ride), the rooms and staff make up for it ten fold. If I returned to London I would definitely stay here again!

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by swastel4714 – posted on Jun 13, 2008

1

This was a very pleasant place to stay and I recommend it. It was particularly convenient since I was visiting a friend who lives around the corner from Balham Lodge. The mini cab service in Balham (with a flat rate of 4 pounds) also contributed to its convenience. The staff was friendly,... more This was a very pleasant place to stay and I recommend it. It was particularly convenient since I was visiting a friend who lives around the corner from Balham Lodge. The mini cab service in Balham (with a flat rate of 4 pounds) also contributed to its convenience. The staff was friendly, welcoming and warm. All facilities were extremely clean.close

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by Amandasc6597 – posted on Jun 12, 2008

1

This was a great place to stay. Very quiet, helpful and friendly staff, beautiful park with nice pond one block away. I highly recommend it and will stay there again.

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by Heidik7099 – posted on Jun 11, 2008

3

It was one of de best low cost hotels I,ve never stay... we arrived at 2 am and even the staff was so kind... and the bedroom was really clean and confortable in every sense... the handicap is perhaps the location but its not a big problem to not stay... Everything else: Perfect... well we had a... more It was one of de best low cost hotels I,ve never stay... we arrived at 2 am and even the staff was so kind... and the bedroom was really clean and confortable in every sense... the handicap is perhaps the location but its not a big problem to not stay... Everything else: Perfect... well we had a litle problem with the breadfast the second day: the cooker forgot us nd she were not so kind, even I asked for water and I still waiting when nobody else was there (a litle thing to fix)close

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by reymarfisi3690 – posted on Jun 9, 2008

2

Excelente servicio. El desayuno fue unos de los mejores que probe. Las habitaciones son amplias y limpias, aunque las habitaciones 11 y 17 dan a una calle un poco ruidosa.

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by lcontrer9646 – posted on Jun 8, 2008

2

I went with my mom and dad, and book for a 3 bed room (a double bed + a single bed). Comfy and cozy room. Ararba is the best staff I have ever encountered, she is very nice, and I LOVE the laughs she brings up. The English breakfast is delicious~ and you can have it custom-prepared. Though it was... more I went with my mom and dad, and book for a 3 bed room (a double bed + a single bed). Comfy and cozy room. Ararba is the best staff I have ever encountered, she is very nice, and I LOVE the laughs she brings up. The English breakfast is delicious~ and you can have it custom-prepared. Though it was half a year since I stayed there, I can still remember how good is it! Must stay again!close

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by marksman – posted on Jun 8, 2008

6

Just perfect...

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by saabatista9791 – posted on Jun 5, 2008

1

It's a very nice and clean hotel, with good staff that were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was good and the rooms were fairly spacious for the price. However, it's just too far away. It's probably a 15 minute walk to the Tube (Balham Station), and another 20-30 minutes to central London... more It's a very nice and clean hotel, with good staff that were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was good and the rooms were fairly spacious for the price. However, it's just too far away. It's probably a 15 minute walk to the Tube (Balham Station), and another 20-30 minutes to central London through the subway, depending on your luck catching the train. We really enjoyed a lot of things about Balham Lodge, but won't stay there again simply because of the location.close

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by clintashlock5042 – posted on Jun 2, 2008

1

Really enjoyed our stay, especially the lovely friendly welcome.

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by janicedwil – posted on May 31, 2008

3

Balham is a bit out of the way from Central London, however the Lodge is located near an Underground and train station, and most importantly, the place and staff more than make up for it. The staff was super nice, the rooms were clean, the breakfast plentiful, and overall our stay there was...

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by catamo875479 – posted on May 25, 2008

9

We returned to Balham after our first stay because it was so nice. I heard staff offering to make sandwiches for some people. Wonderful place.

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by rjhuskins6273 – posted on May 23, 2008

3

Loved it at Balham; staff are amazing, make you feel so at home. Araba gives a wonderful greeting; we returned later in our trip because of her friendliness and beautiful smile. There are many pluses - coffee upon arrive, breakfast (anything you can imagine), bottled water, and laundry - all... more Loved it at Balham; staff are amazing, make you feel so at home. Araba gives a wonderful greeting; we returned later in our trip because of her friendliness and beautiful smile. There are many pluses - coffee upon arrive, breakfast (anything you can imagine), bottled water, and laundry - all at no extra cost. The back yard and bar area were being finished when we left; this place is beautiful. If we ever return, guess where we'll stay!close

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by rjhuskins6273 – posted on May 23, 2008

3