D. The YMCA

C. The Bayswater Hotels

B. Long Term Hotels

A. The City Refuge

Hotels

This Refuge was started in the 19th century by Methodist Missionaries in the East End of London. Traditionally, the East End has always been the poorest part of London and the people who started this Refuge went in aid of those who had no money, and nowhere to sleep. The Refuge still runs today on the same basis. There is no charge to stay there, and there is even tea and toast in the morning. The people who run the Refuge, however, do not accept anyone who has been drinking alcohol or taking drugs. They will only take people who are in desperate need of somewhere to sleep. The problem they face, however, is that nowadays there are more people needing this accommodation than the Refuge has room for.

There are several streets around an area of London called King’s Cross that only have this type of accommodation. They used to be for tourists who were on a budget and wanted to be centrally located. But this has now changed. King’s Cross has turned into an area notorious for crime of all kinds, and tourists in particular are advised not to go there at all. Long Term Hotels in this area are fairly cheap due to the accommodation being very basic: a bed and a wash-basin in the rooms, with a shared bathroom. They are often dirty, damp and dangerous. They seldom have proper fire precautions and dealing in drugs is a common feature in these hotels. Not for the clean-living visitor!

This area of London is a few minutes' bus ride away from Hyde Park. The hotels here are reasonably priced and the area is a safe one which attracts many tourists. The Bayswater Hotels are often large houses which have been turned into small hotels. As a result they have a warm, friendly atmosphere. The rooms, though small, are kept very clean and have that special English touch - the tea-tray. This is to enable guests to make themselves a cup of tea or coffee at no extra charge. These hotels sometimes have a bar and restaurant which are reason­ably priced, and can be used by people who are not even staying in the hotel. Very often guests of the hotels have their breakfast and evening meal included in the price of the room.

The Young Men’s Christian Association has a very impressive complex in the heart of London's West End. Originally the YMCA met together for religious studies, but it has now grown into a huge international organization. The YMCA in Tottenham Court Road has some of the best facilities in Central London. It has a gym, squash courts and a swimming pool. It is a long term hotel and many residents, both men and women, stay there for months, even years. The rooms are for single people. They are very comfortably furnished and all have their own bathroom. It may seem an expensive place to live, but if you want lots of things to do and want to meet lots of people in a safe, central environment, then this is for you.

Дата добавления: 2014-11-29