BUG Review
St Helens Backpackers is a modern brick and wood house close to the town centre. It has very pleasant double/twin rooms upstairs and downstairs there is a nice lounge with high ceilings and there is also a nice deck outside with a barbecue. The hostel doesn't have a TV, which encourages guests to talk to each other creating a good atmosphere.
Price Dorm bed $22 Double room $55-60 Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Woken by owner opening blinds and stripping beds almost an hour before checkout. Ruined experience., April 22, 2009
Reviewer: Emily Coulter from Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Pros:
Clean. Nice lighting.
Cons:
Two showers between 18 people. Tiny kitchen.
Emily Coulter
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
Oh my GOD! Did I sign up for school camp by accident?I was woken by the owner coming into the dorm and bustling around at 9.15 (check out was 10am) he opened all the curtains and humming and started stripping the beds. I realised why, there were only two bathrooms for the 18 people staying in dorms; Each bathroom consisting of one toilet and one shower. so it took ages for everyone to get ready!The kitchen was tiny and could only physically fit 4 or so people standing in it. There was one cooktop, one small sink between everyone. The common room had tables and chairs for communal eating which but no tv or couches. The owner is very strict about hostel rules and is obviously burnt out. The building is attractive with large windows and nice lighting, but not really suited to being a hostel; Not enough facilities.I left hoping noone else would have this experience! Great for flashbacks of school camp! I can't imagine any noisy nights happening here, so it would be good for traveling hermits in the off season.
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Hostel Manager's Right of Reply
I find it unfortunate that the only review posted was unhappy with her experience at St Helens Backpackers.I can only report that most of my guests have been very complimentary about the Backpackers.I can appreciate however that its up to the individual traveler to post their views as they see fit on your site.
The comment that the manager as "burnt out" was I feel alittle unfair as by April I have been managing/cleaning the Hostel on my own for five months without a day off -from 7.30am to 10pm seven days a week.I think that anyone would be a little tired by April!It is because I have to Manage/clean/maintain the place on my own (the place simply does not have sufficient turnover at present to employ extra staff)that I have to make an early start where possible to clean and do the washing to make the place presentable for the next intake of guests,I also have high standards of cleanliness which is always being commented positively upon by guests.
