The atmosphere at Haileybury is friendly and welcoming. The single-sex boarding houses are designed to make the students interact with each and feel at home. In each house there is a large common-room with table-tennis, pool, TV and video. There is also a kitchen where students can make drinks and snacks.

Students are accommodated according to age. The older students have single or twin rooms; the younger students are in multi-bedded dormitories. The rooms have all been recently refurbished to a very high standard. There are bathrooms with showers on each floor of the house.

A full and varied menu is offered, catering for different tastes and dietary requirements, with at least 3 choices for each meal. For breakfast there is a selection of eggs, bacon or sausages, cereals, toast, butter and jam, fruit and a choice of hot drinks. For lunch there is a choice of hot dishes including a vegetarian option and a salad bar. To follow, there are a variety of British puddings, yoghurt or fruit. Dinner provides a choice similar to lunch. Before going to bed we have a drink with biscuits or toast in the boarding houses.

All meals are eaten in the elegant dining hall, where a self-service operates. Students soon adapt to a different style of food.