Asylum Cairns

The Asylum is probably the best place ever. It is not a place for fussy people. You'll find everything you like from a social point of view but it is not a Hotel it's a hostel and that's what I loved. I was supposed to stay there for four or five days but finally stayed for a month. If you're looking for a place were friendships last forever, where the staff is really customer-oriented (means they'll do whatever it takes to make you feel at home), where you'll be yourself and others will like you just for that, then it is the right place for you. I remember those days and will never forget. Those were the best days of my life.

We were here in November 2004 and stayed for three nights. It's easily one of the best hostels in Australia. Free internet, the legendary Monday Madness night that we will never forget, amazingly friendly staff that went out of their way to help even after we had checked out, and many other positives make this a place to visit whilst in Cairns. We were fortunate enough to stay in the vacant manager's room, with twin beds, our own little kitchen and bathroom. No one else staying at the Asylum had this so were dead lucky. I did see some of the dorms and they didn't look all that good -- a little dirty and cramped. Even our room was in need of a decent clean. That however is the only negative so would award it four and a half stars if I could.

Two words: Sh*t hole. I feel like I'm staying in a jail cell. Seriously, it's the worst place I've stayed! Pay a couple more dollars and stay somewhere else.

Best hostel in Australia! Cheap, fun, friendly, and just a bit crazy. The staff are great, the place has a lot of atmosphere, and the Mad Monday pub crawls are legendary. Don't even think of staying somewhere else!

All right, okay, I know it's late to write a review about this hostel because I stayed here from the end of June 2003 till September 2003. It's a good place if you want to have fun!! The bathrooms are not the cleanest but if you are wearing flip-flops it's okay. The staff are friendly and you can laugh with them!! So that's good!!! I heard a lot of rumors about bedbugs. Luckily I didn't had any problems with them, because I stayed in the famous ROOM NO. 4. The free meals at the Woolshed are okay, not the best. The best thing you can do is pop them up with a few dollars and you will have a better meal, better than cooking for the same price. So go to Asylum. And before I forget this, go to the 24-hour petrol station and get a nice cup of Vienna coffee. And if you are there late and you are a good customer and you buy croissants they will sometimes give you one extra for free.

This place is definitely NOT for people who want a clean place to stay. We rented a private room and the floor/carpet had a layer of dirt, dust, and trash at least 1/2 inch thick. It's as though they hadn't vacuumed this place since the day it opened! BUT the staff are very friendly and the free shuttle service is great. It's also fairly close to everything and they provide meal tickets for dinner every night at a local restaurant/bar. It's a good environment for meeting people and having fun, but not a clean place to stay.