[worldtraveller]

Hi

Im trying to sort hostels for Melbourne & Sydney for Dec 06 - can anyone recommend ones? There are a plethora of hostels out there so personal experience is always great! Would like private double room where possible and clean bathrooms - dont really mind about other ammenties as likely will eat out mostly on our trip!

Thanks

WT

[Alban]

Hi,

There are heaps of options in both cities. As I live in Sydney, I can only give you advice on Sydneys' hostels.

As far as I know, there heaps of hostels in Kings Cross, some look find some not, but I did not visit them.
In Manly there are:
- The Manly Bunkhouse, Pine Street, It is clean, cheap and the staff is friendly. It is really close to the beach.
- 222 Glebe Guest House, Glebe Point Road, Glebe. It is clean, cheap and facilities are great.... Rooms are high quality...
http://www.222glebe.com
It is not much, but I hope it could help you...

Cheers
Alban

[aaronzig]

For a hostel in Sydney, Id recomend Alfred Park Backpackers. They are located in South Sydney and are directly accross the street from Alfred Park. The hostel has a great balcony which looks out across Alfred Park into the city, and at night it is an absolutely amazing view of the city skyline. They are also located about 3 mins walk to Central Railway Station, as well as the centre of Sydney (about 4 mins).

The bathrooms are fairly good as well. Im not sure how much double rooms are as I stayed in a dorm, but it was pretty good (clean, quiet etc.) and it was a really reasonable price ($22), considering just how close this place is to central Sydney.

Look for them on hostelworld.com.

Cheers.

[Richie1983]

Dont really know any good Hostels in sydney as i had a house BUT if your looking for a good Hostel in Melbourne then you need to check out Greenhouse Backpackers , its in the city Centre on Flinders lane , its a massive office block style building with great activities , its a good way to meet people, it has a T.V room for those drunken Hangovers and they plan Pub Crawls on a Tuesday night which is amazing fun . not forgetting Free Pasta Nights on Thursday !! if you smoke then they have a big roof Garden . all rooms are clean and the staff are just funny as !! defo a place i stayed and even went back to !!!!

Rich

[cybergypsy]

Check out http://www.sydneybeachhostels.com - for hostels in Manly - Manly BackPackers. It is popular, next to the Corso (shopping and bars) and only about a block from the beach. Hostel staff is friendly and helpful. Walk a couple blocks to the ferry to take a beautiful ride past the Sydney Opera House right to the heart of downtown Sydney in just 15 minutes.

[johnboyjovi]

I stayed at the Alfred Park Hostel earlier this year and I found the owner to be a racist and have a split personality. Some days he would ignore me despite the fact I was staying there for some length of time, other days he would begrudgingly acknowledge me. What made me leave the hostel was when he told me he hated, and I quote, "F***ing English people". He then told me he especially hated me. At the time I was merely asking for washing powder. He obliged and came back with a half measure and told me that it was one dollar. I paid him. He then told me that next time it would be double the price to me. I can guarantee you that he was sincere in what he said, and I had a witness at the time who was using the free internet in the entrance hall.

I find the owner offensive, and after what he said, he can only be described as a racist.

I work as a teacher in the UK and would never expect any of my pupils to speak in a way like the owner, a grown man supposedly, did to me.

I left the next day to continue my travels and passed on the message to everyone I met.

[Steve1]

I stayed at both of these hostels and they allow certain long termers to stay that steal guests' valuables(cameras, cellphones, alarm clock) as well as physically assaulting guests there.

They allow certain "guests" to run around the hostel drunk keeping guests up all night, stealing their valuables and threatening them if they object.

When I suggested they throw out these particular "guests" I was ignored and told to find somewhere else to stay which I did-of course there was no refund and a "lost" key deposit for allowing thieves to stay at their hostels, keep me up all night and steal my stuff as well as other guests.

The Couee hostel lounge was usually filled with garbage left all over the place by the regular "guests"(apparently these were the same ones stealing valuables, assaulting guests and selling drugs to the stoned guests at these hostels).

The St Kilda Beach hostel had some regulars who bragged about harassing female guests there and stealing stuff as well as threatening me several times for asking them to keep the noise down in the room at 3am and take it to the lounge.

The poor management at these hostels refused to evict "guests" engaging in criminal activity against other guests. They told me that they only throw out "guests" when they seriously injure other guests(physical threats, theft and non life threatening assaults apparently dont qualify for eviction) and this only happened a few times a month.

[nomadmania]

I did not stay at hostel in Sydney as I had a friend there. But in Melbourne the Base Backpackers was really great, Good location, clean and friendly. I am really glad I stayed in St. Kilda as opposed to the city, I liked being at the beach but it was really easy getting into the city.

[JeanC]

We stayed at Alfred Pk Backpackers in March 07. The staff were quite friendly. But I could see that the man on reception, with his bitchy/catty remark about the lovely lady who first dealt with us, (She was lovely and quickly got our room ready early.), he may not be as nice as he seems. It is not professional to make disparaging remarks about staff in front of customers/guests. It makes you look like a wanker!
It poured that night. It poured inside the backpacker as well. I was afraid to use the power, it was so dangerous. Puddles up the hallway. I am reporting it to the Council. I don't think it's right to have our overseas guests put in such danger.
The urn did not work and the replacement kept getting emptied after I kept filling it four our coffee. It had to filled with a small pot from the other side of the room because it's not near the tap.
The stench from the male toilets was unbearable. Before booking in, check out the mens toilets first. You may change your mind.
It was a bit out of the way, long (and possible dangerous at night) walk to shops, etc.
Free use of a computer came in handy. It was handy to the airport. You are able to flag down a cab in front of the backpacker.
Would I stay there again? NO WAY!! I was told it was going to be refurbished this year. ABOUT TIME!!

[nomadchef]

Melbourne Connection Travellers Hostel could be a place you could stay in Melbourne. check on them and give it a try.

[isis79]

It really depends on what you are after, but if you are like us and wanted a bit of a break from hostelling, look at renting an apartment. We rented an amazing loft apartment from homefromhome.com in St Kilda, and we bartered them down to 80 dollars a night, a price you can easily pay for a double room with shared facilities. Was fab, really spacious and fully equipped, quite luxurious!

[comfort4me]

Originally Posted by Steve1

I stayed at both of these hostels and they allow certain long termers to stay that steal guests' valuables(cameras, cellphones, alarm clock) as well as physically assaulting guests there.

They allow certain "guests" to run around the hostel drunk keeping guests up all night, stealing their valuables and threatening them if they object.

When I suggested they throw out these particular "guests" I was ignored and told to find somewhere else to stay which I did-of course there was no refund and a "lost" key deposit for allowing thieves to stay at their hostels, keep me up all night and steal my stuff as well as other guests.

The Couee hostel lounge was usually filled with garbage left all over the place by the regular "guests"(apparently these were the same ones stealing valuables, assaulting guests and selling drugs to the stoned guests at these hostels).

The St Kilda Beach hostel had some regulars who bragged about harassing female guests there and stealing stuff as well as threatening me several times for asking them to keep the noise down in the room at 3am and take it to the lounge.

The poor management at these hostels refused to evict "guests" engaging in criminal activity against other guests. They told me that they only throw out "guests" when they seriously injure other guests(physical threats, theft and non life threatening assaults apparently dont qualify for eviction) and this only happened a few times a month.

Whilst browsing this site I came across your review and had to reply to it. I have to disagree with you regarding management /guests behaviour having had the pleasure of staying at Cooee in St Kilda. The staff are fabulous, very friendly and helpful. This place is rather quite new and very clean, probably the most cleanest I have ever come across yet! Im sure the people who run it are well aware, that it being in St Kilda, it's sure to attract 'every walks of life', but hey who are you to form such an 'untruth' opinion unless you were the drunk who got abusive when they asked you to leave? I stayed at Cooee a little bit longer than intended and never witnessed anything of what you have mentioned.. If anything I felt a warm welcome on my arrival & departure and quite safe.

[Mellygator]

First off i cannot highly recommend Sydney backpackers enough. The rooms are HUGE, its perfectly central and the staff are helpful as.
The bathrooms were a bit touch and go but as a whole it was definatly worth every cent.

My next question is

Any opinions on Wake ups double rooms?

[evan]

Originally Posted by Mellygator

First off i cannot highly recommend Sydney backpackers enough. The rooms are HUGE, its perfectly central and the staff are helpful as.
The bathrooms were a bit touch and go but as a whole it was definatly worth every cent.

My next question is

Any opinions on Wake ups double rooms?

i used to work at wakeup a few years ago. the double rooms there are quite nice. theres only a handful of ensuites mind. the shared bathroom doubles are a bit bland and pokey but the ensuites are sweet with lots of light, enough room and fitted to a nice stard. for the price though you might be able to a hotel room....(?)

[Mellygator]

I managed to book an ensuite, and yea, i could get a hotel for about the same but theyre pretty dingy looking, or not nearly central enough for my liking.