Vagabonds Hostel

Tara and Curt, seasoned travellers themselves, opened this funky and very friendly hostel in Belfast's university (Queens Quarter) area with a view to providing clean and affordable accommodation for budget travellers stopping off in Belfast.  The location is excellent for exploring the city... a ten minute walk takes visitors down into the city centre in one direction or along the vibrant Lisburn Road in the other.  Thanks to its location near to Queens University, there are plenty of bars, clubs, cafés and restaurants within a short distance from the hostel's front door.  Inside the decor is urban and quirky, with graffitied walls, comfy seating in two communal living spaces, private shower rooms and a beer garden complete with American-sized pool table.  The staff are incredibly welcoming and always on hand to give visitors some helpful advice on where to go and what to do during their stay.  Guests mingle both inside and out, socialising and swapping traveller's tales.  The owners also pride themselves on its cleanliness, offering freshly laundered bed linen to guests as part of the price.  Free Wi-Fi, breakfast and tea and coffee are all included.  It also has a good-sized kitchen and a dining room with a wood burning stove for those winter nights.  The sleeping accommodation is spread across several dorms (including a female-only dorm) and some private twin and double bedrooms.  If you're on a budget, there's hardly anywhere better. No surprise, then, that Vagabonds is consistently voted one of the UK's best hostels.