Cool place of the week: Cohort Hostel, St Ives

Danny and Lee Strickland took over what was a rather tired old building in the spring of 2015 and have turned it into something really special – and much more in tune with the cool St Ives vibe: a clean and contemporary hostel right in the centre of town that has a mixture of dormitory beds and private rooms catering to all kinds of folk on a budget.

The rooms have been completely refurbished to make the most of what was already a pretty impressive location – a 19th-century Wesleyan chapel and school – with four mixed dorms and two female-only dorms furnished either with traditional bunks or so-called 'pod beds' which give additional privacy; each dorm has shared showers and toilet facilities.

The hostel also has four private rooms, furnished with either bunks or double beds.

Beyond the sleeping accommodation, it's a very sociable place, with a comfy lounge and bar (and a courtyard in summer), a TV and movie room, a fully-equipped kitchen for self-caterers – and superfast Wifi available free throughout the building.