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Hostelz.com's Review
1201 East Backpackers is perfect for relaxing and long-term stays. Thirty minutes' walk away from Northbridge means no loud crowds and no music all through the night. 1201 East Backpackers is a no-nonsense hostel with regulations to make your stay chilled and enjoyable.
The Location
The hostel is located in East Perth. The neighbourhood is safe and very quiet but easily accessible by public transport. Since most of the other hostels in Perth and the nightlife are located north of CBD, 1201 East is a bit off. You can either walk fifteen minutes to get to the city center or take the free bus, Red CAT. Red CAT travels frequently during weekdays but stops 6:20 p.m. During weekdays there are only two buses per hour. For those traveling by car, only on-street parking is provided.
The hostel advertises a free airport pick-up when booked five nights or more, providing that the bus is available. But during our one-week stay, never once was it available. Fortunately there is a local bus, number 37, from the airport to Perth City, which costs just a fraction of an airport shuttle. Locationwise this hostel is ideal for those seeking a good night's sleep!
Rooms and Bathrooms
This hostel offers all kinds of rooms, from singles and doubles up to ten-bed dorms. Dorms have bunk beds and lockers, although not always in equal amounts -- for example, six lockers in a ten-bed dorm. Lockers can easily fit a backpack and can be locked provided you have your own lock. The hostel also has little safes for valuables such as passports and cameras. Rooms are quite spacious and well air conditioned. Linen and blankets come free of charge, and towels can be hired for a small fee. The use of sleeping bags is strictly forbidden.
Kitchen and toilets are cleaned once a day. Showers are inconveniently located downstairs and the floor usually flooded with water due to the use of shower curtains instead of doors. Shower rooms have also very limited space for your clothes, but all the showers have a soap dish.
Crockery has to be collected from the reception, and free tea and coffee are available throughout the day. Only two fridges available for common use and they tend to be very cramped. Also the use of open bins attracts many flies in the kitchen.
Common Spaces
Common spaces include internet room, kitchen, dining area, TV room, "cave" for watching movies/playing pool/reading books, backyard for BBQ, and two lounge areas. The hostel also has a laundry room with three washing machines and three dryers. The machines run on tokens you can buy at the reception. As well as the laundry, also the use of internet is reasonably priced. Interior decoration is outdated but everything works and is clean. The hostel manager is very knowledgeable about different tours around WA. There is a wide selection of travel brochures available at the reception. Check-out time is at 10 a.m. Luggage storage is available.
The hostel has a homey feeling to it. Even though the hostel can room up to seventy-five people, comfy common areas invite people to get together. Security is also appreciated -- no guests upstairs in dorm area, front door locks at 11 p.m., and entrance to rooms is always through reception area. The hostel manager has a watchful eye and no misdemeanor is tolerated. The place is still very relaxed and every Friday night an alcohol-fueled gathering is organised. People wanting to take part in this event sit downstairs in the backyard during summer or in the cave in the winter. There is a free bus picking people up at 10 p.m. to bring them to a local nightclub. This way people wanting to sleep won't get disturbed.
Many residents stay here permanently and work during the week. This is not a party hostel, although the permanent residents like to let loose on the weekends.
Summary
1201 East Backpackers really feels like a home away from home! The Friday night outing is the perfect opportunity to get to know the long-term residents and make new friends. This is an ideal place for those fed up with twenty-four/seven party hostels.
The Location
The hostel is located in East Perth. The neighbourhood is safe and very quiet but easily accessible by public transport. Since most of the other hostels in Perth and the nightlife are located north of CBD, 1201 East is a bit off. You can either walk fifteen minutes to get to the city center or take the free bus, Red CAT. Red CAT travels frequently during weekdays but stops 6:20 p.m. During weekdays there are only two buses per hour. For those traveling by car, only on-street parking is provided.
The hostel advertises a free airport pick-up when booked five nights or more, providing that the bus is available. But during our one-week stay, never once was it available. Fortunately there is a local bus, number 37, from the airport to Perth City, which costs just a fraction of an airport shuttle. Locationwise this hostel is ideal for those seeking a good night's sleep!
Rooms and Bathrooms
This hostel offers all kinds of rooms, from singles and doubles up to ten-bed dorms. Dorms have bunk beds and lockers, although not always in equal amounts -- for example, six lockers in a ten-bed dorm. Lockers can easily fit a backpack and can be locked provided you have your own lock. The hostel also has little safes for valuables such as passports and cameras. Rooms are quite spacious and well air conditioned. Linen and blankets come free of charge, and towels can be hired for a small fee. The use of sleeping bags is strictly forbidden.
Kitchen and toilets are cleaned once a day. Showers are inconveniently located downstairs and the floor usually flooded with water due to the use of shower curtains instead of doors. Shower rooms have also very limited space for your clothes, but all the showers have a soap dish.
Crockery has to be collected from the reception, and free tea and coffee are available throughout the day. Only two fridges available for common use and they tend to be very cramped. Also the use of open bins attracts many flies in the kitchen.
Common Spaces
Common spaces include internet room, kitchen, dining area, TV room, "cave" for watching movies/playing pool/reading books, backyard for BBQ, and two lounge areas. The hostel also has a laundry room with three washing machines and three dryers. The machines run on tokens you can buy at the reception. As well as the laundry, also the use of internet is reasonably priced. Interior decoration is outdated but everything works and is clean. The hostel manager is very knowledgeable about different tours around WA. There is a wide selection of travel brochures available at the reception. Check-out time is at 10 a.m. Luggage storage is available.
The hostel has a homey feeling to it. Even though the hostel can room up to seventy-five people, comfy common areas invite people to get together. Security is also appreciated -- no guests upstairs in dorm area, front door locks at 11 p.m., and entrance to rooms is always through reception area. The hostel manager has a watchful eye and no misdemeanor is tolerated. The place is still very relaxed and every Friday night an alcohol-fueled gathering is organised. People wanting to take part in this event sit downstairs in the backyard during summer or in the cave in the winter. There is a free bus picking people up at 10 p.m. to bring them to a local nightclub. This way people wanting to sleep won't get disturbed.
Many residents stay here permanently and work during the week. This is not a party hostel, although the permanent residents like to let loose on the weekends.
Summary
1201 East Backpackers really feels like a home away from home! The Friday night outing is the perfect opportunity to get to know the long-term residents and make new friends. This is an ideal place for those fed up with twenty-four/seven party hostels.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
December 2008
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
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1201 East Backpackers Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
I stayed here eight nights and could not have found a friendlier place. Stephen, Tom, and the staff all help to make it a great atmosphere. Clean and cheap with lots of interaction downstairs in the TV room and on the patio. A free bus on the corner takes you into the city centre in five minutes. If you're coming to Perth whether on your own or with a group, this is the place to stay. — Tom Beckett, England (2007-04-10) Dirty, grubby, Place was freezing. the people there were nice though. — lorraine Ireland (2006-04-26) Lovely, familiar hostel in the city of Perth. I had a great time, met fantastic people from all around the world and I'll definitely go back to see some friends one day.
All the best. — Anonymous (2005-04-22) I had an excellent time here. It is a good place to lay your head and relax. It's central and offers good tours. I enjoyed Perth and the people here made that possible. — Goe (2005-04-19) This hostel is very friendly. They encourage interaction between guests and make everyone feel at home. The management are very hard-working and empathetic to people far from home. I would recommend this hostel to anyone staying in Perth. It is the cheapest, cleanest and friendliest by far. — Anonymous (2005-02-01) I got a poor response from this hostel; the owner was sleeping. It was dark and dirty. I moved out after my third night. These comments are fair; I've given them ample chances. — Anonymous (2004-12-28)