You are supposed to make a decision based on what you are offered. Assuming that you are looking for the right accommodation that would make you enjoy your tour in London, you would need to see some information that would convince you that you are on the right track. You would need to see what holds some water. 
The information that you would get on the London hostels is more important than just the list. You would find that the details are better for helping you with making choices than when you are just given a list of names that do not even give you a picture of what you would get.
It would be much better when you have a few photos that at least portray what you are about to get to. The idea is that you would block all the avenues for regrets. You would not have anyone to blame. When you finally get to the hostel, you would realize that in deed it is what you saw and heard about.
It is recommended that you raise any issues and concerns that you may have on the hostel in Rome before you commit yourself to it. Even though you may be charged no booking fee, it is quite important and in order that you look at the booking as a commitment.