About

The heart & soul of London backpacking
Pull up a bar stool and talk until morning at PubLove’s most sociable Hostel-Pub. As well as being on the doorstep of London’s biggest tourist attractions, the Steam Engine is beautifully soulful and life-affirming - you’ll feel at home as soon as you step through the door. Warning: you’ll never want to leave.
Perfect for travellers looking to meet new people to share their London adventure.

Legendary London adventures start at PubLove.
All our Hostel-Pubs are welcoming, small and social - the perfect places to get to know your fellow travellers. The best thing about staying with us? Your common room is the great British pub! We have 24hr bars specialising in craft beer & gin. Get social with the locals or swap stories over a drink with your fellow backpackers.

Our dorms are modern, cool and spotlessly clean. Our bunks have hygiene/privacy screens, dedicated power sockets, great free Wi-Fi and crisp white linen. Our top-class washrooms are private and offer shampoo, shower gel and plenty of hot water.

Every Hostel-Pub has an award-winning Burger Craft kitchen serving up burgers, loaded fries and brunch, with vegetarian and vegan options. They open daily from 12pm until 10pm.

BOOK NOW to start your own London adventure.

House Rules

Check In

14:00 - 24:00

Check Out

until 10:00

  • Age Restriction
  • No Curfew
  • Non Smoking
  • Taxes Included
View House Rules

Facilities

  • Free WiFi
  • Free Security Lockers
  • Free Luggage Storage
  • Adaptors
  • Luggage Storage
  • 24 Hour Reception
  • Housekeeping
  • Internet access
View all facilities

Reviews

8.0Fabulous(661)
  • Value for Money
    8.1
  • Security
    8.6
  • Atmosphere
    7.4
  • Cleanliness
    6.9
  • Staff
    8.8
  • Location
    9.1
  • Facilities
    7.1
Summary of traveller reviews

PubLove @ The Steam Engine, Waterloo in London offers a fantastic location, perfect for exploring the city. Guests frequently praise the friendly and helpful staff, and the pub atmosphere is a definite plus. While generally clean, some recent reviews mention issues with bathroom cleanliness and a lack of space. It's well-suited for solo travellers and couples looking for a central base.

Was this helpful?
Stayed in Jul 2026
7.7
A
Andrew
Male, 18-24, USA
The rooms were hot, even with the fans on full, and the bathrooms frequently had water on the floor from the shower, and the toilets didn't always have toilet paper or soap
Stayed in Jul 2026
3.7
L
Lia
Female, 18-24, USA
After a long travel, I wouldn’t expect this unfriendly treatment from the staff but I got rude, lazy energy who seemed annoyed at me for asking simple questions that were part of what I paid for. We got locked out of our hot, crowded room, the toilets were clogged or had no toilet paper or both, showers and sink were disgusting. Absolute waste of money. Only pro was location but that’s not thanks to the unhelpful, unfriendly staff. I deserve my money back but I doubt I’ll get it. Do not come!
Stayed in Jul 2026
8.3
M
Maria
Female, 18-24, Finland
Good Stay. Area felt safe and is easily accessed as Waterloo station is 15 mins walk away. Even though it was heatwave, fans in the room were enough to cool it down. I loved all the coupon benefits we could have like 50% discount of welcoming drink. Vibe of the downstairs bar was cool. Toilets bit nasty but otherwise great property.
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Location

41-42 Cosser St, London, England
0.5km from city centre
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Hostelworld says

The Steam Engine, Bestplace Inn is a great hostel for those looking to see some of London?s best-known sites. Guests tell us ?you can easily walk everywhere in London? from this hostel, including Piccadilly Circus, the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Lambeth North tube station is also nearby. Many of our visitors praise this hostel?s friendly staff, the ?clean and really comfy beds? and the discounted drinks and pizza in the pub downstairs. One reviewer told us they ?would recommend this to someone wishing to meet real Londoners?.