1201 East Backpackers

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.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
December 2008