[Official Page] [Website]
(THE GLORIOUS) BEIT HALL
Beit Hall, the home of the Student Union – though it may not be the newest hall around, Beit Hall remains one of the most popular choices for your accommodation during your first year in Imperial. It is across the street from campus, making it one of the closest possible halls to your lecture theatre. So, if ever you accidentally or deliberately wake up late, don’t fret, for it takes a mere 4 minute run to get to your morning lectures from your room. For those who like to keep fit, a jog in Hyde Park early in the morning and going to the gym (approximately 5 minutes walk) is no problem. As for grocery shopping, it is a rather long 15 minute walk from Sainsbury’s – the closest supermarket where the average Singaporean usually buy their weekly groceries. It is therefore highly recommended that you bring a haversack to carry loads of groceries at a time so as to avoid more unnecessary visits. Also, for the shopaholics, High Street Kensington is just a mere 10 minutes walk away. The hall is also relatively close to HSBC and Lloyd’s Bank, located along Gloucester Road, for your banking needs- which is just a 10 minute walk away.
One of the fortes of Beit Hall is its wealth of opportunities to socialize. The Union Bar is located within the premises of Beit Hall, presenting a great opportunity to meet new friends in London (and get drunk). The bar also provides lunch at affordable prices, so if you are too lazy to prepare lunch, the bar is a great place to have a meal. Of course, being the home of the student union and its proximity to college, it is very convenient to attend events held at either of these locations. Beit Hall also boasts a very dedicated bunch of hall seniors that regularly organize events for the residents, such as food outings, musical trips, sports events, as well as trips to foreign countries as very affordable prices.
Most school activities such as Fresher’s Orientation are also held at the Beit Quad which can be rather convenient. Beit hall is generally quite safe as many student activities are held here. There are security guards that man the gate on nights when the club is busy. There is also a security office near the entrance of the hall.
Feeling bored? Have you been helplessly drowning in the pool of coursework? Never fear, for Beit Hall also showcases a games room with a pool table, table tennis table as well as a foosball, all completely free of charge. There is also a common room with a TV and DVD player that residents can use as well. If you fancy cooking up a storm, Beit Hall has fairly large kitchens, able to accommodate a small party, so look no further when deciding where to hold that dear friend’s birthday bash! Each kitchen also features personal freezer compartments as well as storage cupboards which can be locked, so you can rest peacefully at night, knowing your Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream is safe and sound.
However, with all the glamour and perks that Beit Hall has to offer, there are some downsides to living there. Due to its spacious rooms and proximity to the college, it is, compared to other halls, one of the most expensive halls to live in. For example, the average cost per week of a single en suite room is a hefty £ 175, whereas a double en suite room can cost about £ 120 a week. Also, it can be very noisy at night, when the partying at the Union Bar goes into full swing, particularly on days like Wednesday and Friday (partying, partying, yeah!), especially for residents staying on the lower levels facing the quadrangle. If you are lucky enough to live in a room at the upper floors facing away from the bar, that would not be much of a problem.
Although Beit hall is older than the newer halls in Princes Gardens, it is generally well kept and clean with a homely feeling. The rooms are also generally more spacious. There are also various hall activities and free breakfasts every Sunday morning. I would definitely choose to stay in the same hall if I were asked to choose again.
In conclusion, Beit Hall is a great place to be for the party animal or those that enjoy making new friends. However, it can be a tad pricey as well as noisy, so people on a budget, or are highly sensitive to noises should consider other halls.