Harlow · England
Harlow International Hostel
Bed bug reports
-
Confirmed Booking.com
I had bed bugs and I’ve been completely bitten. All over my body. Also, my room smelled horribly like urine. I don’t know where all these good reviews come from, but I beg everyone to not book there.
HostelPunk native reviews
First-party field notes
No first-party HostelPunk reviews yet. Be the first signal.
Vibe Analysis
Harlow International Hostel sits in a green, quiet park setting in Harlow, with the train station, bus links, town, supermarkets, and Stansted connections within practical reach. It works best as a simple airport or London/Cambridge transit base: warm beds, low prices, and a calmer setting than a roadside sleep box. The strongest personality is old-school and homely rather than polished. There is a lounge/dining area with books, board games, armchairs, and even a claw machine, plus a garden with tables for hanging outside. The kitchen can be useful for cooking, with fridge space and basic equipment, and breakfast or snacks may be available. Staff can be a real upside here, especially for late arrivals, station guidance, room help, and general welcome. Some single rooms and beds are comfortable and clean, and the building can feel warm and relaxed when the basics line up. This is not a party hostel; it is more of a budget, park-side stopover with a small, lived-in house feel.
Signals to check
- Cleanliness is inconsistent, with serious complaints about bathrooms, toilets, kitchen equipment, bedding, odors, mold, and one bed bug issue.
- The lounge and dining areas can feel cluttered, dated, or tired, and some shared spaces may smell stale.
- Towels may not be included, and extra charges can make the stay feel less cheap than expected.
- Sound insulation is weak, and some rooms can be hot, stuffy, cramped, or short on sockets and storage.
- There is no private parking on site; nearby street parking or public transport may be needed.