BUG review
With around 200 beds, this is one of Tasmania's biggest hostels. It is an older building and parts of the hostel feel a little tired but the common areas are well kept and it has a pretty good atmosphere. Facilities include a fully-equipped kitchen, a good TV lounge, internet access including Wi-Fi ($7 per hour; Mouse on Mars) plus a laundry. It has a very central location in the heart of Hobart's city centre.
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This hostel was visited by one of BUG's team of hostel inspectors who write independent reviews and assess a star rating based on an objective assessment criteria.
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Price Dorm bed $23-27 ($22-26 VIP) Single room $55 ($54 VIP) Double/twin room $69 ($67 VIP) Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
We come to Tasmana to bushwalk, see the sight and go fall festival. Great place though our trip was sour by this hostel. When we arrive at least 3 rough (street?) people were staying at hostel and acting crazy- make me and new wife very uncomfortable, especialy as door would not be lock propererly on room.That evening my wife saw bloody syringe were in toilets, I report to management and the reception man was so very rude and aggressive that we both leave straight away. Taxi driver took us to hostel on the Moll st which was average but 5 star compare to central city- where condition so bad we not even stay one night.
Dissappointed by my first and last backpackers in tasmania after staying all round the world. 22 January 2010
Pros:
The exit.... getting new accom.
Cons:
Filthy, run down rude staff...... Never again.......
Bingham
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 12990)
I have never in my life walked out off a backpackers before even staying a night but i did. It is not hard to be polite do basic maintenance cleaning and occasional modenising. Was 2nd worst backpackers i have ever stayed at our of maybe 40 around the world.
Centrally located clean and comfortable 22 September 2009
Pros:
Central locations,clean comfortable and lovely staff
Cons:
The two faults if you have difficulty with stairs theirs a two floor climb and a little dated
damian donohue
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12855)
I enjoyed my time their, it was little quite obviously out of the main holiday period which made a relaxing trip fellow travellers and staff at the hostel were pleasant, the central location made walking to every thing an ease, the dorm beds were comfortable and the environment was clean, I enjoyed my time in Hobart and the accommodation was of reasonable quality And a complement to the staff, you had any trouble or quires they seemed to be more than willing to help, and the map I was given at the start made the adventure a lot easier thank to central city backpackers for providing a good service
really good location, friendly staff, pretty big kitchen, nice atmosphere 13 January 2008
Pros:
the location is the best part about staying here
Cons:
bathrooms are a bit small but are clean
jen25678
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 7482)
The hostel feels really friendly and the staff are really helpful. Although parts of the hostel are a bit dated, it is clean and quiet at night. the tv room is centrally located so it's easy to meet people and the kitchen area is quite large.
Pros:
Excellent staff and attitude - great vibe
Cons:
No ground floor rooms
bigblizz
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 109)
We stayed in Tasmania for nearly a month, walking Freycinet and Tasman Peninsula (we didnt book Overland Track early enough). We stayed at Central City Backpackers before, after and in between each road trip.
What a place! Rachelle and the girls at reception are amazing. They were so friendly that I thought they knew me when I first arrived, and they remembered us each time we returned. Peter the manager was great, and helped with maps, tips and lent us a tent and sleeping mats to cut down our costs. They were all interested in our blisters, stories and photos.
The scalding hot showers were fantastic after our walks, and they stored our gear while we were away. They have great location in the middle of Hobart - no exaggeration. Parking was OK out the front when we parked after 6pm (which Rachelle told us) but tough during the day.
The kitchen is huge, with everything we needed (no stupid $20 deposit on plates/knives - Airlie Beach should take notes), and the lounge was friendly and comfy. It felt so great to be able to really relax in a place.
We met heaps of great people in the lounge, and shared our car trips to cut fuel costs (which Rachelle told us to do!). The lounge, kitchen, bathrooms and room were all really clean, bright and airy - its nice having a window you can open!
We originally booked for 1 night in case the hostel was bad, and ended up wanting to move in premanently! We could not have asked for more out of a hostel and staff. Thanks so much guys!
By the way, they are the only hostel I have EVER stayed in that told us where our nearest emergency exit was! I was surprised, and hugely impressed. Keep up the fantastic work guys.
19 of
27 people found this review helpful
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Michelle
Ontario, Canada
Fabulous staff 13 August 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Michelle
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11076)
I stayed here in July 2005. The hostel location is fantastic and within walking distance to markets and groceries. It features a nice, big kitchen and friendly, cosy common areas. Security is good and I felt perfectly safe throughout my stay. The staff here were by far the friendliest and most creatively helpful I've ever met, and really went out of their way to make our stay in Tasmania memorable. It was very much appreciated. Absolutely worth a visit!
3 of
12 people found this review helpful
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JohnDoe
USA
Alright, I guess, but wouldn't recommend it 22 June 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
JohnDoe
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 11077)
I stayed at this backpackers for 3 nights. When I got there I was a little disappointed. Judging from the pictures on their website I had thought that this place would be pretty new and in good shape. But I don't know where they took the outside picture on their home page but it's not the backpackers. And the other pictures make it seem much nicer than it actually is.Security is virtually non-existant. Well, I mean, the BACK entrance (where you have to slide by a dumpster and should hold your breath when you do so) had a code but that's about it. The rooms had keys but were never locked. Everybody could have walked out with your stuff at night or better yet during the day. They don't have anybody's ID either.I stayed in a 7 bed room that was really pretty large but old, bad light (and one window) and just not a nice feel at all. It had a roll-around radiator to warm it up a little but that was it. The beds don't have any sheets - you have to pay extra for those. And if they mistakenly take yours and you return after reception is closed there's not much you can do. No blanket, no sheet. (That was a cold and uncomfortable night.)The bathroom was a communal one with 2 showers, 2 toilets and 2 sinks. Also in bad shape (though not necessarily dirty) - but old and always cold. And I just don't appreciate showering when there's potentially someone next to me taking a dump.Reception was pretty helpful with the tours but of course wanted to really sell them. Yea, that's really all I can say. It was off season so it wasn't exactly crowded. Didn't use the kitchen or the tv area. Went to stay at the Montgomery's Private Hotel which was newer though smaller. I liked it much better but that was probably only because there was no one there. Like I said - off season. I guess it's not the worst but people should just know what they're getting themselves into. It wasn't disgusting or anything. Just low standard. So if that and the lack of security doesn't bother you, go ahead and stay there. You might like it. I didn't.
2 of
13 people found this review helpful
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Hostel manager's right of reply
Guys and Girls, thanks for your reveiws - both good and bad. We read them all and use them to improve or hostel as best we can. I am the new manager, and have been trying to improve our service since 1st April 2005 (I know, April fools day!). I won't try to refute any reviews, please read them all and we hope to see you sometime soon.
Megan Bauer
Airlie Beach, Queensland
Great safe place to stay 5 April 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Megan Bauer
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11078)
Wow. Luckily I stayed at the hostel before I read the reviews! I had a great time, and found the place to be very friendly. The staff helped me get the most out of Hobart, booking tours and buses for free. They had heaps of info and maps they gave out for free. The kitchen is the best Ive seen, and the lounge is huge and comfy. The security is excellent, which I appreciate. The hostel was clean and comfortable, and had heaps of hot water for the showers!
12 of
15 people found this review helpful
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chjoe
Hong Kong
Good hostel 29 July 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
chjoe
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 11079)
One of the good hostels in Australia. Tedra (June 16,2001) is correct.
11 of
13 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
great location but seriously disappointed 12 January 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 11080)
ya this place had pretty good reviews. the kitchen is top as is the location.but its one of those hostels that rips the backpacker off again. they're clearly trying to sell the property and therefore most backpackers felt alittle in the way over xmas and new year. the owner roams the hall ways and her ghostly appearance is quiet frightening- when she speaks shes really really abrupt and unfriendly not to mention unhelpful.i asked one of the girls what should i see definitly before leaving hobart and she replied there wasn't that much going on in hobart! and this was the week of the sydney to hobart race-great.i must admit we did have a ball over the new year but were very disappointed with this hostel.