Alexander Fleming Hall is student accomodation belonging to Westminster University but situated in the North of the City.
I have just been there for most of a week, so this review is very hot off the press.!
Location
+++++++
There is a simple answer and a complicated answer to the ... Read review
Located at the edge of the "Square Mile" the original City and the most historic part of ... more
London and home to the financial district St Pauls Cathedral and the Law Courts The residence comprises three modern buildings in an attractive piazza setting Th...
Information:
Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Advantages: The cheapest place to stay during Wimbledon Disadvantages: It is not a 4* hotel
Alexander Fleming Hall is student accomodation belonging to Westminster University but situated in the North of the City.
I have just been there for most of a week, so this review is very hot off the press.!
Location
+++++++
There is a simple answer and a complicated answer to the question of the location of these halls.
The simple answer is the one in print - you go to Old Street Tube, walk Eastwards ... ...I asked again for the Alexander Fleming Halls of residence.! Three restaurant workers asked, said they did not have a clue.
The next said that I should go back to the Market that I had just come from.
I did.!??
I asked several people, but nobody had ever heard of the Hall.
At last I spotted the local police.!
Police-person 1 ( female ) - " You can't be far away, because this is Hoxton Market - but you are ... more
Alexander Fleming Hall is student accomodation belonging to Westminster University but situated in the North of the City. I have just been there for most of a week, so this review is very hot off the press.!
Location +++++++
There is a simple answer and a complicated answer to the question of the location of these halls. The simple answer is the one in print - you go to Old Street Tube, walk Eastwards along Old Street, until you reach the Holiday Inn Express. Go past it, turn into the Hoxton Square and the residence is in Hoxton Market - number 3.
The complicated answer, is the one experienced by others before me, and then poor little me last week. I went past the Holiday Inn, turned left and asked where Hoxton Market was. I was directed to the Market and walked for 5 minutes or so, before stopping at the sign for Hoxton Market, and asking again. The cafe owner told me I had come too far - I needed to go back to Hoxton Square. I did. I asked again for the Alexander Fleming Halls of residence.! Three restaurant workers asked, said they did not have a clue. The next said that I should go back to the Market that I had just come from. I did.!?? I asked several people, but nobody had ever heard of the Hall. At last I spotted the local police.! Police-person 1 ( female ) - " You can't be far away, because this is Hoxton Market - but you are looking for number 3 and we are at 37, so go on back down the road you have just come up.' Police person 2 (male ) - " Yeh, I know where that is. Go back to the square, get to the Holiday Inn Express, and it is at the back door of the Holiday Inn "
YES ??? - that is exactly where it is.! Please Mr University Administrator, just tell future residents to go to the back door of the Holiday Inn!
2 Appearance ***************
There are several blocks of flats that make up the Halls of residence. They are a pleasant light coloured brick finish, and form a couple of rectangles, with cafe and restaurant included. I reckoned they may have been purpose built in the 1970's, but that's just a guess. The rectangle has some trees, some seating area and some parking areas - altogether, very pleasant.
3 Interior **********
After checking in at the manager's office, you have an electronic key and a pass number to get into your particular block. Inside there are 4 stories, and each floor has its own access key. Inside, each 'flat' has 8 rooms, and your final key lets you into your allocated room. There is a bed, a bedside cabinet, a chest of drawers, and study table, a wardrobe, some shelves and a sink.
It reminded me of my own student days, but was slightly more upmarket than those dim and distant memories.
4 Facilities ************
As well as your own room, there are shared shower and toilet facilities - one room shared by 3 people. Then there is a kitchen shared by all 8 rooms in the flat. You have your own allocated cupboard, access to fridge, freezer, microwave, pizza cooker, sinks, table, toaster and kettle.
In the course of the week, I only saw 3 of the other residents, and all were very pleasant and helpful.
5 Booking ***********
You can only occupy these units after term-time, and there is a very heavy demand for them. You can book on the university's own site or through hotel booking sites.
Having failed to find anything habitable for less than £50 during Wimbledon, I was more than happy to book this unit for £21 per night.
6 Conclusion **************
For someone like me, attending a conference and needing a cheap room for 4 nights, this was ideal. It was great to have fridge and freezer available for cold drinks and ice-cream in the middle of a heatwave. I enjoyed having my own cereal and cold milk for breakfast at minimal cost. It was great to be within 15 minutes walk of the business centre of London - Bishopsgate etc,
It was handy yo be close to the tube station.
And Hoxton Square - yes that Square I walked through endlessly on arrival day - well Hoxton Square comes alive at night. They may not know where the halls of residence are - 50 yards away - but they know how to cook in the Hoxton Apprentice, Japanese Canteen etc
It is very basic student accomodation, but ideal for the purpose. And when I checked out, the guy on duty gave me some useful tips on the best route to Victoria on that particular morning - well done - it worked.!
Advantages: Sharing a flat and kitchen with other travelers while still having your own room Disadvantages: A little old and worn, no air conditioning, mice in the kitchen
I stayed in Alexander Fleming Hall for a month and a half in summer 2007 while studying abroad at another university in London. Thankfully I read the other review on this website before going. His instruction to "go to the back door of the Holiday Inn" is exactly right. When standing with your back to the Holiday Inn at the back door you are looking directly at the hall across the little street in front of you. The area of Hoxton has a wild nightlife ... ...interesting people and great street art. Old Street station is close, but why not walk where you're going? It's gorgeous all the way! The City and Spitalfield Market and other cool things to see are all rather close. I kept running into Banksy art accidentally, which was really cool. Any time the sun comes out people flock in groups to Hoxton square, a block away, and open up bottles of wine and snacks together. Americans should be informed though ...
Tracita17 18.02.2008 (16.02.2008)
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