199 Russell Street, Melbourne Tram 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 22, 64, 67, 72, 86, 96 Bus 200, 201, 203, 207, 250, 241 Tel (03) 9663 2697 Websitewww.exfordhotel.com.au
BUG Review
The Exford Hotel is set in a well-preserved 1854 Edwardian building right in Melbourne’s Chinatown. There’s plenty of atmosphere inside and out: nice mouldings and architectural details on the painted brick exterior, and a pressed-metal ceiling and great stained-glass windows in the downstairs pub. The dormitory and common spaces have been kept in good shape as well. Rooms were clean and looked recently painted and furnished. Facilities include a small TV lounge, a nice kitchen, an outdoor deck, and private toilets and showers. The downstairs bar has a pool table and features weekly live music and DJs.
Price Dorm bed $22-30 ($21-29 VIP) Double/twin room $64-74 ($62-72 VIP) Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Great place to stay in the city of Melbourne, August 7, 2005
Reviewer:
Sue and Emmily
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
We stayed here in July, 2005 and were very impressed with the Exford. The staff were very friendly and helpful, especially Pablo (the night owl), and the hardworking housemaids. This hotel has a small, intimate feel which is nice considering you are in the heart of Melbourne. We felt very safe at all times.Great kitchen, clean showers and toilets, and comfortable beds.We will stay at the Exford again.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11205)
Cheap, basic but central, September 20, 2004
Reviewer:
fimbo1977
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
I stayed here for just a short while after a bad experience in my previous hostel, and although a lot of people have slated the Exford on this site, I've got to say my experience was ok. Its nothing special, but as cheap as you'll get in Melbourne and very central. There are lockers provided, so its secure, and you can't just walk in off the street and raid the place. A word of caution though : the pub downstairs is exorbitant, and unlike many with hostels, backpackers get no special deals.
3 of
3 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11206)
Loud, Cramped and Expensive, February 11, 2004
Reviewer:
Sleepy
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
This is not a hostel, this is an experiment to see how much noise people will attempt to put up with in the name of budget accomadation. Maybe if youve got loads of cash to get pissed and "fall" asleep youll like it. I personally had to leave. Too many leftovers from the pub trying to sleep in the rooms. Manager if you read this, you should work on security.
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11207)
Do not stay here if you want to get some sleep!, November 29, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
This is the worst hostel I have ever stayed at and I have stayed at quite a few in my time. They have a rowdy pub downstairs that is open until 7am. I still have awful Geri Haliwell songs going through my head! The staff didn't really care that we didn't get ANY sleep, they were actually quite indifferent. I would NEVER stay there again.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11208)
What an experience!, August 17, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
You just have to love the Exford! I stayed there for close to 4 months and I made many friends from a variety of countries, mainly a UK crowd. The kitchen can be very cramped. The TV room is quite bland and smoky. The bathrooms are clean enough. I stayed in a 10-person dorm myself, and the sharing of rooms with the opposite sex was never a problem at all. The pub itself is excellent, even tho under renovations while I stayed there. Only one pool table, but atmos makes up for it. If you can't find a friend there, you won't find one anywhere else. The district its located in was once labelled the most dangerous in Australia, and admittedly, it is...if you walk around alone. Security? Well, I've seen better...but listen, I gave this place 4 stars because my Australian experience would have been awful had I not had a sojourn at the Exford. Besides, everything is walking distance, what else could you want??
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11209)
Pretty average, July 21, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
after reading the reviews of this hostel i ended going to this place. its a fairly average place, the pub is expensive (no discount for backpackers). its location is pretty good, very central. the beds are shocking, but the rooms are clean. the tv room is full of smoke and unsociable people and its very small. all in all there are better hostels around. i recommend the green house backpakers in flinders lane. its a little extra $$ but if you have the muny this place is worth it. like a hotel, proper beds, big screen tv. and they at least organise pub crawls and stuff like that, and gives away free dinners!
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11210)
clean, June 22, 2003
Reviewer:
Squakz
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
It was clean, and the security was good. Stayed for a week. I was lucky enough to have a good room (4 bed) with friendly people (canadian bubble!!). But if i was on my own i would have hated the place. It was very sterile, and there were way too many TV zombies that stayed in the dingy tv room ALL DAY! (it was actually scary!)Stay there if you are with a friend- that way it doesnt matter if people are social or not.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11211)
Great Place, April 15, 2003
Reviewer:
Michael
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
Quite despite a pub down stairs, great security, clean facilities, and friendly staff. Pub isn't the cheapest but its in a good location to find whatever your looking for on your trip. Would recomend it to anyone as an excellent place to stay.
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11212)
Forget about booking this "hotel", April 10, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
I was pretty impressed by all the positive comments about the hotel. So I checked their website and clicked their booking icon and sent an email to book a room. No reply after two days. Then I called the hotel, only to be told that they didn't accept booking. All I have to do is show up, but no guarantee of room!!Why bother having a booking icon in their website, which says "Booking form coming soon", complete with email and phone no, if they never intend to accept booking??? Very disappointed. Will never stay there!!
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 11213)
Champeen Exy, February 3, 2003
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
The best place ive evere stayed in including my mums house. I tried to move in for life. The best thing about this hostel are the 2 night shift guys, a tag team of awe inspiring talent. I tried my best to enjoy other places but nothing compares. If you come to Melbourne stay at the Exford, ask for Tiny or Shand, they will sort you out, especially the ladies.
