228 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Tram City Circle, 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 16, 19, 22, 31, 42, 48. 57, 59, 64, 67, 68, 70, 72, 75, 109, 112 Train Flinders Street Bus 235, 237, 238, 253, 350 Tel (03) 9639 6400 or 1800 249 207 Websitewww.friendlygroup.com.au
BUG Review
This clean and cheerful hostel occupies the top four floors of a commercial building right in the heart of the city centre, just one block away from Flinders Street Station. The décor won’t blow you away, but rooms are well laid-out for privacy and feature quality bedding and nice touches like individual reading lights. There’s free breakfast and half an hour of free Internet access daily. A rooftop deck offers a free weekly barbecue as well as a great view of Eureka Tower (and extreme close-ups of some neighboring buildings). The Greenhouse is not the most party-oriented hostel, having no bar, but it does offer free tours and activities every day. And, as mentioned, it’s about as central a location as you will find in Melbourne.
Price Dorm bed $30 per night, $182 per week Single room $65 Double/twin room $78 per night, $546 per week Triple room $90
Prices include breafast Prices are in Australian dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Pros:
The free walking tour and massive TV room
Cons:
no windows in our room, LOTS of guests so busy kitchen
neilusborne
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Overall really good, reception is 24 hrs and they helped us with everything we needed. If you stay here you HAVE to do the free walking tour, it sounds boring but was brilliant fun, the only way to really explore Melbourne. No windows in our room was a bit of a bugger as it really messes with your body clock. It never gets lighter and darker so you have no idea what time it is when you wake up, odd!
Pros:
Security, location, atmosphere, just fun!
Cons:
The showers
ryttu3k
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
This is one of the best hostels in Melbourne! It's funky and bright, with free breakfasts, free internet (half an hour a day, but if you're up late at night and the computers are free, you can go on for ages - the only downside is that they're slow), and a pleasant, fun atmosphere.There's a big secure area behind reception if you have large items (like bikes) that you want stored safely, and every dorm has safes (padlocks are available for sale at reception). The rooms are clean and big - room to stretch your legs, unlike some of the shoeboxes you can get. The rooms are quiet (although you can't say the same for some of your dorm mates!) and the beds are comfortable. (People with wool allergies beware - the only blankets available are wool.)There are free breakfasts every day of the week - while basic (toast and cereal), two days a week have a Big Breakfast and a pankcake breakfast, respectively. There's also a free pasta dinner one night a week, although I was out for it. I was told it was very good, though. Additionally, there's plenty of fridge and shelf space for your own stuff, and a Free Food shelf (and one in the fridge!) left by generous people who have left - I got three free cup-a-soups and had a free lunch for three days.The couches in the common area are a little worn but quite comfortable, and there's a small amount of books to read. There are also a lot of travel magazines and brochures. For more practical things, there's a big notice board showing things for sale, things wanted, jobs on offer, and lifts to other locations offered or asked for.The location is brilliant - on Flinders Lane, just a short jump to Swanston Street. There's a 7-11 on the corner and a 24-hour Coles one block down (Elizabeth Street), it's a block away from the Town Hall and a block in the other direction to Flinders Street Station and Federation Square, there are ATMs for most banks within a block or two, and trams that stop practically at the door.There are a few small negatives - the cleaners come in at about 10 AM, which isn't good if you've had a late night. And the showers aren't really that good, with very little place to put your stuff and constantly damp floors. Still, those are reasonably minor quibbles.All in all, this is one of the best, if not THE best hostel in Melbourne.
4 of
4 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 1205)
Clean spacious well run hostel., February 16, 2007
Pros:
clean, big and airy, helpful staff great location
Cons:
Internet Access is free but limited terminals and slow
annathereluctantback
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Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
A large well laid out hostel. just around the corner from federation square. this was first hostel i stayed at in Australia. Every where else has had to campare with this. i stayed in 6 bed dorm thats twice as large as some other hostels.
0 of
1 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 698)
Good, clean centrally-located hostel, August 13, 2006
Pros:
Clean, well-maintained, central
Cons:
Bizarre bathroom design
Jabe
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(3)
I stayed here for a couple of nights at the end of my trip to Australia, having stayed in the sister establishment Friendly Backpacker when I first arrived. In general I was impressed, with the dorms being spacious and clean, and the bathrooms in good nick. The hostel is also in a great location very close to Flinders Street Station.I was a bit surprised by the layout of the bathrooms. There's nowhere in the showers to put your clothes/washbag, so you have to leave them on the central bench - I wasn't keen on this from a security point of view. I also didn't understand why the shower curtains didn't reach all the way to the floor, meaning that it was almost impossible to avoid creating a pool of water directly outside the shower.My other quibble was that when I'd booked my bunk over the phone, I'd specifically asked if it would be possible to check in early in the morning, as my flight was arriving at 6AM - I was told that would be fine. When I actually arrived at the hostel, I was told I'd have to wait until 10AM - not what you want to hear when you're mentally prepared to climb into bed and get some sleep.I would stay here again.
Pros:
Good Location, CLEAN
Cons:
expensive 4 a room
JC.
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(3)
Stayed 4 a week and yeah its a real nice, clean, friendly hostel but like most of these (hotels) u do pay a few more $'s over the top... which if ur loaded or fusy yeah stay here! but if ur just after a room to crash in and hit the bars find a cheaper option!
Pros:
Location, People, Facilities.....
Cons:
As much as I know there are a few rooms without windows
Sunshineinthesky
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
I spent there 10 days in February 2005. I had the most amazing time! The location is amazing, cause it's in the middle of the city, but still quite quiet situated! The rooftop is great in summer, you can just laze the days away (which is actually no good idea, you miss all the sights). There's a big kitchen with huge common room (everythings available, from pool table to videos, books and internet....). The rooms are nice, clean and quiet (well, that depends on your room mates, but as far as the street noise goes I had no problems).Further, there was once a week a free BBQ on the rooftop, once a week free Pancakes and every morning free breakfast (cereals, toast, coffee, tea - the usual). There are weekly rates for the rooms, which is not as expensive as paying per night. You should definitly book ahead (especially during peak season), as there was hardly ever a room free!
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 220)
awesome!!! would sent my parents there!, March 15, 2006
Pros:
clean, very well organized, in the city
Cons:
no cons
princessj
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
best place we have been to. located right in the middle of the city, very well organized and run. parties, tours and acivities provided by the hostel. nice roof-terrace. the kitchen is big, with enough storage for food and tons of fridges (all very clean). living room very big and nice, free internet (30 mins a day per person) and a wifi-internetplace downstairs, where you can use the internet for free if you buy a drink).
4-bed rooms, with good beds and lockers. the hostel is quite big (5 levels with rooms) but still there are enough showers and toilets which are all very clean. (cleaning ladies all the time, even in the rooms!!)
i would go there any time again, even with my parents - it was that great!!!
6 of
6 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 11292)
Great place to stay, March 2, 2005
Reviewer:
Lottie
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
I stayed here for 3 months last year. The entertainment is excellent,The staff are very helpful and friendly, The bathrooms etc very clean. It's right in the heart of the city centre near all the tourist attractions. Lifts to all floors, brilliant when you have a huge backpak. Security is very good with swipe cards to all rooms. All in all a very good hostel.
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(Review ID: 11293)
overall value for money, October 10, 2004
Reviewer:
poppageorge
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
I rather enjoyed my stay. As a senior backpacker i was not with younger set. My roomate same age bracket as myself. Great time we had. Lounge and rec area quite good. Only drawback is so much smoking evn though not permissable in rooms it happens. The lounge area permits smoking and spoils area for non smokers.Regular staff do there best. It is the casuals who seem to require motivation in p/r area. But hey. I t is value for money and quite safe and secure.The computers are not cheap but conveniant.O thers outside available.Kitchen is equipped with pots and pans but cutlery and cups u provide as they always go missing.Food storage also open to abuse by others.So use caution in your food storage as backpackers do run low on funds. I reccomend this hostel.
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1 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 11294)
Great location, but sterile and with lousy staff, July 28, 2004
Reviewer:
sydkr1
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
Stayed here as a temporary solution before finding permanent student accommodation, and whilst the location is superb the downsides weigh heavier than the few and occasional upsides.Most of the staff is incompentent and rude, rather treating the customers as it is a privilege to stay at their second-rate hostel. The place lacks character, and the breakfast is not even worth mentioning.Would not return here, but if you're not concerned about an acceptable service level and are able to manage poor ventilation Greenhouse Backpacker is a good alternative.
