380 Upper Roma Street, Brisbane Bus 470, 475 Train Roma Street Tel (07) 3211 3221 or 1800 062 572 Websitewww.citybackpackers.com
BUG Review
This hostel offers a good range of facilities including a lively bar and a rooftop swimming pool. The large but messy kitchen leads into a TV/internet room with unlimited free wireless access. There is a sundeck with great views of the city and Story Bridge, the dorms are quite old and the bathrooms could really use a renovation. They offer nightly events including pub crawls and barbeques. Reception staff can be rude and inattentive.
Price Dorm bed $21-30 Single room $79-99 Double room $79-99 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
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Reception Open 24 hours
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Pros:
The pub quiz on a tuesday, good views.
Cons:
security, stairs, bathrooms, dorms
larajf
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
This is an appallingly designed hostel. It is along a dodgy street that I would not like to walk along alone at night. It is nowhere near any shops to buy your bread & milk.
The dorms are small and cramped, as is the kitchen. Also they let people share 1 bed, so your 30 bed dorm can easily be more than that.
You have to pay a $10 deposit to use the cutlery, there is not enough storage, or space in the kitchen. There are also no tables inside to eat at. Only a breakfast bar, facing the wall and with space for only 5 people, sofas in front of the tv, or picnic tables outside. Not good if it's cold or you don't like eating while shrouded in cigarette smoke. You would also not want to dry your dishes with the towels provided, minging!
The bathrooms are mixed, which is not a big problem for me, but might be for others. The showers are good, except that there is nowhere to hang your clothes or towel up. Such a simple thing to bang a nail or peg in, but the fact they haven't bothered really sums up this hostel I think.
The internet is free, but there are only 5 computers (1 of which is not working at the mo) and you can't use any usb stuff or put your photos up.
I'm sure there are better hostels than this in Brisbane!
Pros:
hottest desk clerk EVER (oh, those eyes)
Cons:
being warned that my clothes might be stolen off rack
clairebear
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(4)
Our first impression of the hostel was that the hottest man in Oz worked there. That was in Feb 2006, so he's probably not there anymore. Sorry girls. We chose this place because we had a voucher when we'd booked our Fraser/Whitsundays trip. The 30-person dorm was going to cost $12, but we upgraded to a 6-person for $17, which was great. The free internet was awesome, and the kitchen was huge. The patio had a great view of the pool and the city. I would recommend this place highly.
Pros:
Items included in the price
Cons:
I had to leave!
markfarries
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
This hostel ranks with the best of the best!
Firstly, value! It's about the same price as the rest, no big deal, until you realise every thing's included. They even have a free Internet lounge! Pick-up on arrival, linen & blankets, no charge!! Job club, bag storage up to 3 months, no charge!! Off street car parking, no charge!! Finally, the hostel cafe is cheap & represents really good value.
Secondly, Facilities! Roof top swimming pool, pub & beer garden, great big kitchen with loads of space to eat inside & out, air-con rooms & great shower/toilets. This place is well run & very clean.
Thirdly, location! The hostel is in the city, just up the road from the transit centre. It's about a ten minute walk to banks, post/tax office & the main shopping area. However, it's the view from the back of the hostel that is the best thing about the location, good enough to end up in every camera. Some bed rooms in the hostel & all the recreation areas including the pool enjoy the view.
Lastly, atmosphere! This place has buckets, very busy & very social. The staff were a lot of fun, but don't push your luck, guests going over board do get hooft out!!
I can defiantly recommend this hostel. I was impressed!
17 of
23 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9944)
Can't get no sleep, November 5, 2004
Reviewer:
nslater
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
On first impressions this looked like a good hostel, clean, well decorated with all the necessary facilities. Which, is why myself and my boyfriend decided to stay for a week and pay upfront.The room we were put in was an absolute pig sty. I had to clear papers off my bed and remove rubbish so that i had room for my rucksack. The room was also conveniently situated right next to the bar, which plays music until the early hours of the morning, and to add to the annoyance the radio is put on at 8.30am! When do they expect people to sleep. The sound can not be blocked out as the windows don't shut (so you get eaten alive by mossies also). One of the girls in our room found bed bugs and the guy from reception came to the rescue with a wet cloth and disinfectant spray! My boyfriend had to explain what needed to be done in order to get rid of them! We then had to insist that we were put into another room, which we now share with an alcho who snores like you wouldnt believe, grabbed my arm when i was asleep the first night and fell into my boyfriends bag the next after swinging from his bed. The door to the room is impossible to open/close without shoulder barging so people tend to leave it open, which caused us to have an unknown visitor inspecting our belongings in the middle of the night! I am now suffering from complete sleep deprivation and i am thankful that i only have one night left. The lounge/kitchen/toilet facilities are all clean but are not large enough for the amount of people the hostel holds. As with most kitchens, preparing your evening meal is a battle, but when you have finally made it, there are so few seats in the lounge and balcony area that they are all occupied and therefore you have nowhere to sit an enjoy your meal.I now understand why a sign in receptions reads "absolutely, positively no refunds." If i wasn't such a poor backpacker i would have quite happliy walked away from the place without the refund.
4 of
5 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9945)
If you find sleep beneficial ... not the place for you, November 5, 2004
Reviewer:
BigCol
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
This place deserves it's one star because from the outside you would be fooled into thinking this is a nice place, it has had a lick of paint and looks clean however on closer inspection this place is an absolute hole. I arrived late in the afternoon and wasn't warned by reception that I had to hire plates and cutlery which wouldn't be a problem but by the time I'd been to the kitchen and realised I'd need some reception was already closed at 7pm. The hostel is far too busy for its facilities: half of the hobs in the kitchen don't work, there was no washing up liquid so you can imagine how clean everything was and you wouldn't have dared dry any dishes on the stale cloths. There are supposedly cameras in the kitchen but I had food stolen twice and other people appeared to be having the same problem. And thats if the kitchen is even open its supposed to be closed between 12 - 1 for cleaning ... which translates to at least 3 - make your lunch early. The lounge area is tiny which in a hostel of 300 makes no sense; when it rains you can't even get into the lounge for the amount of people scattered around. There are 2showers and 2 toliets per floor - expect long ques. And above all else the worst thing of the hostel was the rooms; they are NEVER cleaned!!!!!!! they empty the plastic bag out of the bin and thats it. There was dust everywhere, crisp packets under the bed for God knows how long, bits of clothing that belonged to nobody. Two girls in my room who had been there for a month said they had never seen anyone come in to clean. Unsurprisingly the room that was never cleaned had bed bugs but fortunately the manager was on hand with a damp cloth to wipe the skirting board to get rid of them!! By his own words "Whats the point in doing anything, people just bring them back in" - a very good chance you'll get them from here in the first place. The room was also handily located right next to the pub for added noise from 8.30 in the morning till whenever they felt turning it off; the windows were broke open so you had no chance of keeping any noise out; also the door took a severe shoulder barge to open it - ideal for waking anybody who miracously got to sleep. You'll also find the staff completely unhelpful they had no knowledge of any bus times or prices and didn't seem bothered by the fact people were rolling and smoking joints in the hostel.Do not even consider staying at this place.
4 of
5 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9946)
Good Bar, Nice View, April 8, 2004
Reviewer:
Dan
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
I stayed here for two weeks and found it quite reasonable. I wholly suggest booking the 6 bed dorm as its virtually impossible to get any sleep in the larger dorms, especially the 32 bed dorm with amplified snoring, grunting, scratching, farting and burping. The bar is good with activities and reasonably priced drinks, but its almost too convenient and people tend to just spend all there money there instead of actually seeing what Brisbane is like, (which is why we're here). It's a little bit annoying having to walk 15mins to get into the city, but its close to the transit centre.It has a great view from the upper deck and the staff were generally helpfull and friendly. However some people may get a bit frustrated by the strict rules such as no alcohol to be brought into the hostel and no drinking on the deck before 5pm and after 11pm.Overall not bad if you're after a cheap backpackers.
2 of
3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9947)
Could be good but isn't, February 25, 2004
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
This place has potential to be good. The staff (local and backpacker) were quite rude. Was in a 32 bed dorm (!) with no fan anywhere near my allocated bed. A night of hell - I only stayed here for one night to catch an early train from the transit centre - I was glad to get out of there.
1 of
2 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9948)
Superb, February 13, 2004
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I stayed there for 4 days during feb 2003 and believe it or not it changed my life. It was my first week in oz and was ready to go home as i was really homesick. The young scotish barman asked why i looked so miserable and i told him. He sorted me out with a free pint (which he paid for) and cheered me right up. I knew it was'nt a chat up as i am 39 and way out his league but he charmed me into staying and so i did. Now i am living on the gold coast at the moment and met an ozzy man who i plan to marry. The hostel is amazing and the staff are even better. Just remember that the staff are backpackers too which helps 9/10 people feel more comfortable.
2 of
3 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9949)
APPAULING, February 8, 2004
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
The hostel has the potential to be great, having excellent pub and pool facilities, but our experience with several of the local staff members, made our stay very unenjoyable. I was disgusted with how the local staff members were increadibly rude, and arogant, and had no concept of customer service.My friend and I had decided to treat ourselves to a twin share room with airconditioning after several months of sharing dorm accommodation. I had phoned the hostel 2 weeks prior to make the booking, and then again 4 hours before we arrived to confirm these arrangements. On arrival we were told by very unfriendly staff memebers that room was not available, but were promised the room for the next night. After checking with them the next morning, we were told that we'd be able to move into the room in the afternoon. That afternoon (after already paying for the room) we were told it was no longer available, and when we asked for a refund they refused.Not only were we totally messed around, ripped off, were were treated absolutely terribly, and by the permenent local staff (the international backpacker staff, looking over the counter at us embarrased and apologetic)
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 9950)
extremely clean, well located hostel, lovely staff, January 27, 2004
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
I spent 5 months in Brisbane working and planned to rent a flat but i just couldnt leave city backpackers. All rooms were cleaned everyday, and bathrooms twice aday, and the views from the pool were superb. I found the staff very friendly, and helpful, and lots of activities were always being organised. I also found the free a/c, job club, and theme nights made the hostel very good value, i enjoyed everyday i stayed there.
