BUG review
This place is nothing special, but it’s still the best of Geraldton’s poor selection of hostels.
It is a rambling old house near the beach with limited facilities that include a kitchen and kitschy common areas with a TV, piano, pool table, table tennis and board games. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere isn’t too bad even though it feels a bit empty.
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Price Dorm bed $24 Single room $35 Double/twin room $55 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Rambling old house opposite the beach (closed for maintenance when we were there!). Apparently since the new (friendly & helpful) owners have taken over is much improved. Dorms fine but the rest of the hostel needs a serious make-over. Dining/communal room old and dirty. Kitchen always dirty. Showers were not cleaned for the 3 days we were there. Were pretty unhappy although told the alternative hostel was worse! In all fairness, people who had been staying for several months seemed to love it, but if you like decent facilities and cleanliness, then this is not the place for you. Also why stop at Geraldton at all? It may be the 2nd biggest city in WA but everything is closed at the weekend, the beaches are not good and it really has very little there (except work) to interest a traveller.
Having spent a few months (Sept2005-Jan2006) at this hostel I am completely miffed at the review on this web site, From what I understand the hostel used to be in a pretty unorganised state however New owners (Ant and Kala) bought the place over a year ago and have worked there butts off to spruse the place up. The bedding is not mismatched you are supplied with a top and bottom sheet, a nice pillow, duvet and a blanket in winter, all the bedding is the same colour, you can trust me on that as I have stood at the washing line chatting away to Ant many a time and it is all blue and lilac. Kala's sister spent hours and hours sat at a sewing machine making new curtains for the whole place. Steve (one of Ant and Kala's mates) and Ant have done a great job on the garden and put a little private beach with hamocks and a free to use BBQ which is in constant use. Steve made the table of Knowledge in the garden which is great for a good ol chin wag or a drinking game or 2, the kitchen is well equiped and clean, the downstairs games room/dining room is great in the cooler months with sofas, dining tables and a pool table.Basically what I am trying to say is do not take the review for the hostel at face value as it is clearly very out of date. and if you go to the Foreshore be prepared to get roped into a fancy dress coctail party at the drop of a hat and say Hi to the gang from me.
15 of
23 people found this review helpful
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Pingu
u.s.
Nice place 27 June 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Pingu
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 11546)
I enjoyed my stay here and found the hosts to be friendly and helpful. Not the greatest place that I've ever stayed, but far from the worst (real, real far :-). Next time I'm in Geraldton, I'll give 'em a stay. Nice location and plenty of places to relax.
10 of
21 people found this review helpful
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Graeme
Scotland
Tip top sunsets! 27 March 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Graeme
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11547)
I stayed and worked at the hostel for a month in July 2003, very good atmosphere Gary and Eileen are very welcoming. Rooms are spacious with real beds max of four to a dorm. Great views of the sunsetting over the ocean and the local sea lions. Had some good times in the local pubs mixing with the Gero Dero's good fishing as well. Graeme from Scotland.
12 of
20 people found this review helpful
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Vanda
Singapore
Love the victorian beds! 7 November 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Vanda
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 11548)
Great hostel with wonderful staff. We stayed in a double room that had a huge high victorian style bed and nice big wardrobe. We absolutely loved the room! One of the most comfortable among the hostels we went to.The hostel atmosphere was relaxed & friendly. They had a telescope facing the beach in the mornings so that we could see seals further up.
11 of
20 people found this review helpful
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Brian Flint
Calgary, Canada
fun times, great atmosphere, perfect location 27 October 2002
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Brian Flint
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11549)
I dont think its possible to find a hostel in a more perfect position! Right on the beachfront on a good swimming beach and right in the city centre too. The hostel is in a historical building with loads of character. The dorms are great. Only 3 or 4 per room with no bunks meant it was easy to get a good nights sleep without having to put up with half a dozen snorers or a foot in the face as the person on the top bunk climbs into bed. Theres a couple of good pubs close by. Weekends Breakers is happening with good live bands and theres plenty of crew at the nightclub too. Lucky the beds are so comfy at the hostel coz I spent most of Saturday there recovering from a great night out. Attractions around town worth seeing include the maritime museum, art gallery, HMAS Sydney memorial and the lobster tour. The staff at the hostel are incredibly helpfull. Got a pickup from the bus stop and dropped off when I sadly had to leave. Its nice to have people working at reception that treat you like a friend rather than a customer. All in all a great stay!
