International Student House (ISH), London accomodation and student hub
229 Great Portland Street, London, W11 5PN Tel: 02076318300
International Student House is the only student, temporary accomodation provider in London-that I know of
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
There is definitely a hell of a lot going on
ISH is trully a unique multicultural, and social melting point and I'm disappointed more students aren't aware of this venue outside ISH resident students
I recommend to backpackers as well, but I feel ISH should be open to students and trainees only-if the backpackers are students then I'm fine with that
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 students, au pairs, professional trainees and student nurses. ISH is trully a unique multicultural, and social melting point and I’m disappointed more students aren’t aware of this venue outside ISH resident students. 8/10 without pre booking there are dorm rooms free all year round.
One thing that did shake me up,is seeing the occasional creepy old man staying in the place. A student only tag should be in place with student ID checks. I understand cultural and social mingling but ISH is a student living, recreation and learning hub, not a retirement home. Stricter guidelines need to come into
play to protect ISH from attracting ho-bos and unwanted straggler eye-sores.
Other than that it’s the sort of student vibe that you don’t see in London outside 200 pound a week halls of residence like Nido.
Highly recommended for short emergency stays for students, or visiting students. I recommend to backpackers as well, but I feel ISH should be open to students and trainees only-if the backpackers are students then I’m fine with that. ISH needs to protect its uniqueness and image. Opening itself up to everyone would dissolve that.
Love the on-site gym, umlimited towels, boxing circuits, and spacious dorm rooms with extra larger lockers. Very helpful and courteous staff who deal with you the same as if you were a resident.
For would be residents I would strike up a warning tone. ISH are ultra green friendly. Some residents have complained about ISH turning off heating at night in winter to save energy. Also the kitchen for residents is abit of a walk outside for residents.
The review was published as it's written by reviewer in January, 2011. The reviewer certified that no compensation was received from the reviewed item producer, trademark owner or any other institution, related with the item reviewed.
The site is not responsible for the mistakes made. 222011398111031/k2311a0122/1.22.11
