Welcome to Art Hostel
Welcome to the Art Hostel – a unique hospitality experience and the first of its kind in the UK, providing affordable & original accommodation created by artists.
And as a social enterprise for East Street Arts, all of our profits are reinvested into the arts community in a direct and meaningful way.
Developed by contemporary art charity, East Street Arts, which has supported artists internationally for nearly 30 years. Embracing a more welcoming method of hosting, we help visitors to the city of Leeds interact with grassroots arts, music & events, sharing our favourite independent eateries, shops, bars and businesses.
We provide the physical infrastructure for you to get involved: to make, create, debate, sleep and explore, introducing guests to new and established cultural destinations.
We opened our initial temporary pilot hostel on Kirkgate in Leeds city centre back in 2016. This hostel was extremely successful, hosting more than 10,000 guests from more than 115 countries in two and a half years. The Kirkgate hostel closed its doors at the end of 2018 and we have since developed a brand new, larger-scale permanent Art Hostel in Mabgate, Leeds.
Part of our creative Mabgate Complex, the new Art Hostel is situated next door to East Street Arts HQ, Patrick Studios and art and tech hub, Convention House.
Designed and created by a new raft of artistic talent, it’s a fantastic spot for unique, affordable accommodation in Leeds.
For all enquiries please email: arthostel@esamail.org.uk
(East Street Arts – registered charity number 1077401)
Frequently Asked Questions
Check-in and check-out
What time can I check-in from? – Check-in is from 3pm. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate early check-ins.
Can I leave luggage in the hostel before check-in? – You are very welcome to pop in before check-in and leave any luggage with us at reception.
How late can I check-in?
We have staff on reception 24 hours a day, so you can check in as late as you like. Please do give us an indication of your arrival time if it’s going to be a later check-in and we will add it to your booking and keep an eye out for you.
Do I need ID to check-in? – For security purposes, valid photo identification in the form of a driver’s licence, passport or National ID card is required from every guest at check-in.
Is there a curfew? – Our staff are here 24 hours a day, so you can come and go at any time. The front doors are locked at 11pm for security reasons but there will always be someone to open the door for you.
What’s the latest time I can check-out? – Check-out is by 10.30am on the final morning of your stay with us. Sadly, we can’t accommodate anything later than that as we have to get the Art Hostel ready for the next group of lovely guests!
Cancellation
What’s your cancellation policy?
You can cancel your booking for free up to 48 hours before noon on the day of your scheduled check-in.
Please contact us at arthostel@esamail.org.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
If you made your booking via Booking.com, Expedia or another online travel agent, please contact them directly to alter your booking for you. Unfortunately, we can’t access your private account with any online travel agents. In the event of a late cancellation or no-show, you will be charged for the first night of your booked accommodation.
Getting here
Do you have parking?
Sadly, we don’t have any onsite parking available at the Art Hostel but there is some on-street parking available on Saint Marys Lane & we also recommend using the Shannon Street car park. It’s only a five minute walk away, just off Marsh Lane and is reasonably priced. Alternatively, try the Quarry Hill car park, it’s closer but just not as cheap!
You might find a cheaper option if you park a little further away from the hostel. The Parkopedia website has proven very helpful for guests in the past, or you can download the RingGo App. Avoid the NCP car park if you’re on a budget!
How do I get to the Art Hostel on public transport?
The Art Hostel is in the centre of Leeds; only a 10 minute walk from Leeds bus & coach station and a 20 minute walk from Leeds train station, or 4 stops on the number 19, 16 or 4 bus, if your backpack is heavy… You can catch the A1 Flyer bus from Leeds Bradford Airport, which will bring you all the way to Leeds bus station.
Making a booking
Do you have any availability on these specific dates?
Please visit our website for our most up-to-date availability and prices: www.arthostel.org.uk
For any queries or for group bookings, please contact us on arthostel@esamail.org.uk
Can we bring children to the Art Hostel?
Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of 21. We don’t allow children in the mixed dorm rooms, only in private rooms booked for your group. You are very welcome to bring travel cots and highchairs for little travellers! We are unable to provide these for you.
Group bookings
Do you take group bookings? –We frequently accommodate large groups of travellers, artists, creatives and visitors to Leeds. Please contact us at arthostel@esamail.org.uk and we will be happy to discuss availability, pricing and your group’s needs.
(A large group is defined as any booking larger than six people. Any large bookings made via our own website, Booking.com, HostelWorld or any other OTA are all subject to these terms and conditions.)
In order to secure any large booking, we require a 20% non-refundable deposit (or payment of the full booking amount if prefered) to be paid one calendar month in advance of check-in. Any remaining amount can be paid by cash or card upon check-in. We will need your final list of guests’ names (for our fire & Covid-19 safety registers) and to see everyone’s valid photo ID upon check-in too.
We contact all large bookings to provide them with our large bookings policy & to see if there’s anything we can help with. Would you like recommendations of good places to eat and drink? Are you attending an event, maybe a gig or festival or conference? Do you need help with transport? We are very close to both Leeds bus and coach station and Leeds train station and we’d be very happy to recommend local excursions and entertainment.
Do you take bookings from stag or hen parties? – As we are a small, family friendly hostel, we are NOT able to accommodate large rowdy groups such as stag or hen parties. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but we would hate to ruin anyone’s fun by having to ask for quiet or being forced to cancel bookings.
Accessibility
Do you have accessible facilities?
Sadly, due to the nature of our beautiful old building, we have limited accessible facilities. Our reception area, ground floor & kitchen are accessible by ramp access at our main entrance.
We have an accessible ground floor private twin bedroom with a fully accessible en suite shower room, which has an adjustable bed with support rails, motorised hoist & smart lights and blinds, with anti allergy duvets & pillows included.
Please contact us at arthostel@esamail.co.uk to discuss your personal requirements.
Project Space
Can I book the reception space for an event/exhibition?
The East Street Arts programme team is responsible for programming our project space. If you’re interested in using this space, please speak to our Programme Team, on alice.boulton-breeze@esamail.org.uk or emma.bentley-fox@esamail.org.uk
For any of our other spaces in Leeds or beyond, you’ll need to contact our Space For Artists team, they can be reached at spaces@esamail.org.uk
Keep an eye on our blog, website & social media channels for information on what’s coming up at the Art Hostel & East Street Arts.
Staff and volunteers
Are there any jobs available at the Art Hostel?
As we are a social enterprise for East Street Arts (registered charity number 1077401), we are largely staffed by volunteers. We all do a bit of everything including all the cleaning and general housekeeping, the admin and reception work and of course, customer service! It’s not always glamorous but it is necessary. If you’d like to be involved, please send email your CV and cover letter to: arthostel@esamail.org.uk
I live locally and would like to volunteer at the Art Hostel.
As a social enterprise run by East Street Arts (Registered charity number 1077401), we have an established volunteer scheme. Our local volunteer team is a lovely group of people who generously give their time and effort for free. If you’d like to be involved, please send email your CV and cover letter to: arthostel@esamail.org.uk
I’d like to be a live-in volunteer.
Our live-in volunteer positions are unpaid, as part of our live/work volunteer for accommodation scheme. The role involves cleaning and general housekeeping, admin and reception work and of course, customer service.
As a live-in volunteer, you would also be required to work night shifts. You’d work 3x shifts of either 8 or 9 hours each week. In exchange, you would receive:
- accommodation (a bed in our mixed volunteer dorm room)
- shared mixed bathrooms with shower and toilet facilities
- light continental breakfast everyday
- access to our free to use laundry facilities & self catering kitchen
- free WiFi in all areas
We have a minimum of four weeks, up to a maximum of three months stay policy. If you’re interested in volunteering, please send us your CV and cover letter to arthostel@esamail.org.uk
Will you arrange my VISA?
No. All VISA requirements are yours to arrange. It is VERY important that you take care of this properly or you could be refused entry to the UK at immigration. It is very often NOT enough to volunteer or work in the UK on a tourist visa. You will need to speak to the immigration department if you have any queries about this. Please check before you travel on the GOV.UK website https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Any other questions?
Do you have any questions not covered in these FAQs? Send us an email and we’ll do what we can to help you: arthostel@esamail.org.uk