This hostel has been one of the most homely ones I have ever stayed at! There was something about the atmosphere in this place that added to the cosy common areas in which someone would always be hanging out. Central Backpackers offered free tea and coffee, the kitchen was fully equipped for proper cooking, bathrooms and bedrooms clean and tidy. Also the free luggage storage was both convenient and helpful. The staff was friendly and welcoming at all times and tiny things like free sanitory articles or ear plugs as well as the cleaning of bathrooms after every shower showed great care taking of guests. I only wish I could have stayed longer!

My mattress was a little worn out and my room turned to the big street which made an awful lot of noice (but free ear plugs!). Also, the lockers in the room were fairly small.

The staff I met at this hostel are wonderful--super friendly, efficient, helpful and really work hard to make sure everyone is taken care of right away and has a nice stay. I used to run a hostel and I was really impressed with the staff and their work ethic. The hostel facilities are good and the location is excellent but even though the hostel is lacking in certain comforts the staff more than make up for any minor negatives. I highly recommend this hostel for a fun and comfortable stay close to everything you need.

The beds are standard bunk metal so not upgraded to more private modern hostel beds but they are quiet and pretty comfortable with good outlets and lights and the nice bedding and two pillows make up for the old style metal. There are plenty of showers but few sinks for numerous rooms but it's an older building so I imagine it's tough to fit more and you can see where they have. The shower pressure is pretty low but nice to have individual bathrooms rather than stall showers.

The staff were very kind! I especially appreciate how one staff member helped me when my lock got stuck. I liked the amazing epic wrap around comfy couch in the TV room and all the free spices and cooking oil and popcorn in the kitchen as well. Also, I liked the tea and coffee making place. Excellent location! I felt at home there. I liked how the reception was one this outside deck thing, so the building itself is fantastic.

I felt like due to the design of the hostel, there were limited sinks available at the same time if you wanted to brush your teeth, but that isn't a good reason to not come here as this hostel is awesome!!

I like how secure it feels when you get a little key thing to get around especially during the night, it’s a nice little place and located well, I’m a local person in Oxford and it’s ideal for tourists and students definitely you have a few places to go for food drink and social activities nothing to far from here, I’d stay again the staff seem friendly and kind of leave you to enjoy your stay and are there if you need anything, oh and those showers are to die for I could stand in there for ages, thanks guys

I’m not overly keen on the steep stairs but I braved them okay, I would say it isn’t mobility friendly with steps up and down to things but that doesn’t mean I didn’t like my stay it’s a nice little place if you have more energy to run in and out

All staff were nice and helpful. Everywhere is kept clean. Amenities are thoughtfully provided. The female dom where I stayed was spacious. The bed mattress was comfortable. The bed was steady and neither shaky nor squeaky when I climbed up and down. The room door never shut loudly, which was very great, for hostels in many places were unbearable because of the big slams of closing doors sent out from all the floor can annoy you all night long. But this didn't occur here.

The only thing is that the button to push and flush the toilet must be pushed longer, but a couple of guests seemed not knowing that. It will be good to put a notice on the wall to note that guests should look around if everything is as clean as one enters the toilet after use. The sound outside was not a problem for me. I shut the windows and used ear plugs which were provided, and soon I was fast asleep.

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at Central Backpackers in Oxford! From the moment I arrived, the staff were incredibly kind, welcoming, and always eager to help — truly some of the nicest people I’ve met while traveling. The hostel itself is full of great facilities. There's a fully equipped kitchen for cooking your own meals, a comfortable sitting room for relaxing, and even a playroom that adds a really fun and cozy atmosphere. The dorms were spotless, and the beds were seriously impressive — super comfortable mattresses and pillows, and each bed had its own reading light and power sockets, which made everything so convenient. The location is unbeatable — just a short walk from the train station and also very close to Oxford's city centre, with easy access to all the main attractions, shops, and restaurants. I would definitely recommend Central Backpackers to anyone visiting Oxford. Whether you're traveling solo or with friends, it's the perfect place to stay — clean, comfortable, friendly, and right in the heart of everything!

I liked everything

I had a wonderful stay at Central! As a middle aged, lone woman traveller, visiting the city for the opening of an art exhibition - it provided me the perfect location and fit! I stayed in a female dorm of 10 beds, most of which were occupied, but there wasn’t too much disturbance. I was very impressed by the amount of toilets and shower facilities which meant I never had to wait! Luggage/locker storage is available for a tiny deposit and was a godsend! The lounge and kitchen areas are amazing! Absolutely everything you could need or want! I particularly enjoyed a couple of cups of fresh (free) coffee in the morning.

These are VERY minor points… The rooms are hot! I suggested to the manager as I left that they offered usb fans to hire or installed fans into the rooms! The manager seemed very receptive to this! The reception area is also very hot - due to it being a conservatory type space. I was melting as I checked in.

Phenomenally clean, absolutely spotless! Super friendly, authentically chirpy, chatty staff, (Alex is an exceptional human!) who could not do enough for guests. Complimentary towels, coffee, tea and milk were very much appreciated, with a well stocked kitchen, lots of fridges and a freezer too!

Not much… The kitchen doesn’t open until 7am which was slightly annoying, no bathroom in dorm so a little light in terms of toilets and showers per floor, but there are enough to go around, you just might have to cross your legs once in a while. It is expensive for a hostel, but I do suppose you get what you pay for…

Staffs are friendly, in town centre (good location), great facilities (kitchen, common area) and bathrooms are clean. Most importantly, perfect bed spacings (I get to sit up in my bed!), and there is a power socket by my bed to charge my phone when using it (yes, I definitely had that experience when I had to go charge my phone in the other side of the room). Towels are provided and changed daily. Everything is basically perfect.

Minor issue is that the reception and kitchen is closed by 11pm (or 10:30pm, around that time..please clarify me for others' reference). It may be a little inconvenient as I showered late and wasn't able to borrow a hairdryer from the reception. It also seems that the heater and some electricity will also be switched off by 11pm since I noticed that the Hand dryer doesn't work at that time. Also, either I didn't know how to adjust the warm water in the shower or the heater also gets switched off at 11pm. But these are just minor issues to me as I just needed to manage my time a little better unless I finished my day quite late.

I stay in hostels a lot. A LOT. Oftentimes, you've paid £30+ for a bed in a dorm room, and that price makes absolutely no sense. The room isn't great, the bed might be comfy but it equally might not; you have to pay extra for everything. This place was great! Fantastic location, lovely room, incredibly comfy beds, staff were super friendly (except the Kiwi (I think?) girl, she let the side down sadly. Nice enough but didn't really seem to want to be there. Aside from her, everything 10/10! Super cute kitchen, tv room, clean bathrooms - and enough of them! - and towel hire no extra cost! I even got a tour of the place when I checked in, which was a lovely touch. I'll definitely be staying here any time I'm in Oxford.

Probably the only issue is weirdly the room has like that new car smell. You knew the smell I mean. It was very clean and comfortable, room quality absolutely not in question one bit! But that it smelled like new car smell wasn't great, that smell makes me feel sick. So maybe some air freshener or incense or something??