International Student House is the only student, temporary accomodation provider in London-that I know of. Accomodation is in the form of hostel style dorms which creates a unique setting, where unsettled students, bohemian travelers and permanent student residents co-exist: temps in dorm rooms, permanent student residents in normal private rooms. Most of the residents are international students, many from the US and India.
I stayed here for two months before finally moving into a shared flat. Bit of a nightmare starting university term in a dorm, but its spacious, and you get a large caged locker under your bed, which was big enough to unpack my clothes, books and violin into.
I discovered more. It’s a dorm experience with a gym. A very small pricey gym-but still a gym. Single use
5 pound, membership 26 pound a month, 160 pound for the year. I suppose pricey compared to budget gyms us students use, but for the convenience of an onsite gym its great.
ISH was a real life saver. To sum it up in one word-convenience. Great Portland Street tube station a few feet opposite, 10 minutes tube ride to my university (London Metropolitan), 10 minutes walk from bustling Oxford street, on site gym, on-site reasonably-priced restaurant, laundry room, unlimited free towels,home style tv room with a fussball table. I managed to survive here for two months in organisational disarray, gained clinical addiction to fussball and a love affair with a student resident.
Room rates range, but the average will be 15-17 pound a night. For the on-site facilities and the space of the
dorm rooms, its the best hostel in London, with only the brand spanking new YHA Central just down the road, coming anywhere near.
I’ve learnt now that ISH has even more to offer. Student halls of residence, student temporary dorms, hostel, gym, and also a hub of events. A nightclub venue just outside the door,on-site bar, Salsa dancing, prestigious-academic guest speaker talks, sports training sessions like boxing circuits.
The best way to enjoy this great and under-featured venue is to take out general membership. ISH says “This is where you can do anything”. There is definitely a hell of a lot going on. ISH calls itself a “unique social, cultural, recreational centre in the heart of London”
Membership is only 25 pound a year open to full time ...
