The Hostelz.com Review
Surfers Paradise is the party capital of Australia, and if that is what you came here for, then Surf n Sun Beachside Backpackers is the hostel for you. The focus of Surf N' Sun is more about the night out than the night in, so if you didn't come to Surfers Paradise to party, then stay elsewhere or bring earplugs! This is more a place to crash than a place to stay, and it is perfectly adequate as such. The crowd is fun, young, and likes to party!
The Location
Surf N' Sun is located just a few short blocks outside the center of town. It's easily walkable to all the nightlife, shopping, and restaurants. It is about a kilometer or so from the central bus station, but the hostel provides free pickups and drop-offs, which is not only convenient, but a great way to meet other partiers (backpackers) right off of the bus. It is just across the street from a small grocery and liquor store, which will supply you with all the sustenance you will need during your stay in Surfers Paradise. The hostel is also just a block from the beach, so it's easy to find a patch of sand where you can nurse your hangover.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are designed more to be a place to crash and are not particularly clean or well-kept. The dorm rooms are six-bed (three bunks) mixed dorms. There are no female-only or male-only rooms. However, double rooms are available. There are no lockers in the room, but the reception has a safe. The bathrooms are en-suite and, while not being the cleanest, are definitely suitable. The water pressure and availability of hot water make for a good shower, and all bathrooms have windows for good ventilation. The rooms also have small TVs if you will be spending any time in the room.
The rooms are on two floors, and it is highly advisable to request a room on the second floor. The second floor has an open terrace, which is nice for fresh air, socializing, sunlight, and views of the pool. The first floor rooms are accessed via a dark, dingy hallway, ensuring no sunlight and limited ventilation. The rooms on both floors are exactly the same, but the terrace certainly makes a difference.
Common Spaces
The common areas are small and include a decent-sized kitchen, a few computers, and a small TV area. The kitchen is adequate for light cooking, the internet is expensive and can be found for much cheaper in the city, and the TV area is cramped, yet cozy depending on how close you like to get with strangers. However, the main social area is the outdoor pool area, which plays loud party music in the evening (until 11 p.m.). There are several tables around the perimeter of the pool, where you can meet fellow revelers playing drinking games and getting ready for the big night out. While the common areas are small, everyone at this hostel is looking to meet other partygoers and have a great time, so it packs the social punch of a much larger hostel.
The hostel has a tour desk which can arrange all sorts of tours and activities both within and outside of Surfers Paradise. Besides arranging a night out every single night (though the big nights are Wednesdays and Saturdays), popular activities in Surfers' are the theme parks and extreme sports (skydiving, hang gliding, parasailing). You can find a plethora of information about the top things to do in the area at the reception and tour desk here.
Summary
Overall, Surf N' Sun fits the bill if you are willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort and cleanliness for a guaranteed big night out and some new friends. It is a true backpackers hostel and is in no way uncomfortable or dirty, but it is also not going to come close to the cleanest or nicest hostel you will find in Australia. The hostel provides so many activities that you most likely won't be spending much time in the room anyway, and you will meet plenty of fun, young, easygoing backpackers here looking for a good time. It's all about expectations.
The Location
Surf N' Sun is located just a few short blocks outside the center of town. It's easily walkable to all the nightlife, shopping, and restaurants. It is about a kilometer or so from the central bus station, but the hostel provides free pickups and drop-offs, which is not only convenient, but a great way to meet other partiers (backpackers) right off of the bus. It is just across the street from a small grocery and liquor store, which will supply you with all the sustenance you will need during your stay in Surfers Paradise. The hostel is also just a block from the beach, so it's easy to find a patch of sand where you can nurse your hangover.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are designed more to be a place to crash and are not particularly clean or well-kept. The dorm rooms are six-bed (three bunks) mixed dorms. There are no female-only or male-only rooms. However, double rooms are available. There are no lockers in the room, but the reception has a safe. The bathrooms are en-suite and, while not being the cleanest, are definitely suitable. The water pressure and availability of hot water make for a good shower, and all bathrooms have windows for good ventilation. The rooms also have small TVs if you will be spending any time in the room.
The rooms are on two floors, and it is highly advisable to request a room on the second floor. The second floor has an open terrace, which is nice for fresh air, socializing, sunlight, and views of the pool. The first floor rooms are accessed via a dark, dingy hallway, ensuring no sunlight and limited ventilation. The rooms on both floors are exactly the same, but the terrace certainly makes a difference.
Common Spaces
The common areas are small and include a decent-sized kitchen, a few computers, and a small TV area. The kitchen is adequate for light cooking, the internet is expensive and can be found for much cheaper in the city, and the TV area is cramped, yet cozy depending on how close you like to get with strangers. However, the main social area is the outdoor pool area, which plays loud party music in the evening (until 11 p.m.). There are several tables around the perimeter of the pool, where you can meet fellow revelers playing drinking games and getting ready for the big night out. While the common areas are small, everyone at this hostel is looking to meet other partygoers and have a great time, so it packs the social punch of a much larger hostel.
The hostel has a tour desk which can arrange all sorts of tours and activities both within and outside of Surfers Paradise. Besides arranging a night out every single night (though the big nights are Wednesdays and Saturdays), popular activities in Surfers' are the theme parks and extreme sports (skydiving, hang gliding, parasailing). You can find a plethora of information about the top things to do in the area at the reception and tour desk here.
Summary
Overall, Surf N' Sun fits the bill if you are willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort and cleanliness for a guaranteed big night out and some new friends. It is a true backpackers hostel and is in no way uncomfortable or dirty, but it is also not going to come close to the cleanest or nicest hostel you will find in Australia. The hostel provides so many activities that you most likely won't be spending much time in the room anyway, and you will meet plenty of fun, young, easygoing backpackers here looking for a good time. It's all about expectations.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
December 2009
Their Description
Surf n Sun Beachside Backpackers Details
|
|
(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Map Location/ContactHow is Surf n Sun Beachside Backpackers rated on other websites?
Not listed.
Surf n Sun Beachside Backpackers Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Decent We were about the only people there not into partying, so we booked a private room, which was in a separate building so its was very quiet. The beds were really uncomfortable though. Not bad for $75 per night. The staff were excellent though -- very friendly and helpful. — Christy , Canada (2009-10-14) Excellent It was made very easy for us as soon as we got here which is exactly what we needed. We got picked up from the Greyhound and was given a really nice room with TV and movies. Every evening they have something planned for the whole hostel, which introduces you to everyone else staying here. We were only supposed to be here two nights but liked it so much we did five. — Tim Greene , English (2008-12-02) Great location, staff, and atmosphere Great hostel right next to the beach in surfers, only 27 dollars a night. Really good atmosphere and very helpful staff. If i come back i will visit surf and sun again. — Alex Learoyd , England (2008-12-01) Not impressed Me and five of my friends booked our accommodation with Surf and Sun a week in advance to arrival, and were assured booking of a six-bedroom dorm. When we arrived in the pouring rain, bags soaked and tired, we got told by the rude receptionist that there was a "mistake" and that she simply couldnt help us. What angered me most wasnt so much the fact that we had no place to stay, but that she simply had no remorse or compassion for our situation. Do you know how hard it is to find a place for six people to stay in Surfers Paradise, on a backpacker budget, on a saturday night? She just didnt want to help and didnt seem to care. It ruined our holiday. — UNHAPPY! , Australia (2008-11-09) Not a good one i found my stay feeling sorry for staff. the travel agent is so rude and snappy. The place was super dirty and the security were just laying in the living room. it's ok because its beside the beach. they lied about it being five minutes away from town -- it's a long walk. The girl who works there is super rude and everyone appears to be trying to lick up to her to gain her approval. The manager and another man were super rude. Just not happy about my stay. — Sarah Ruscowski , Ireland (2008-07-08) Good Don't stay here if you're looking to sleep. good location -- right across the street from the beach and a five-minute walk to the center of town. Hostel organizes nights out to the bars/clubs. Good place if you're looking to party and meet new people. Bathroom & TV in the room, clean. They pick you up from the bus station literally about two minutes after you call and tell them you've arrived. Staff was very friendly. — Maureen , USA (2007-12-18) Stayed there for a month. Great location, right on the beach, and a place to party. Punch five nights a week and they hit the town every night. If your ready to meet people and go out, this is the place for you, although if you are looking for downtime, it's a bit hard to come by at surf n sun. The TVs in every room are nice, especially since they are connected to the over three hundred dvd collection they have. Excellent place. — Greg , Canada (2007-03-26) I spent a year backpacking in Oz and Surf N Sun is probably the best hostel Downunder. It is twenty seconds away from the beach (although you have to pay for the boards and walk a bit further for the good spots), it is clean and that includes the kitchen, but the best part is the general feeling of the place. You meet people easily and have a great time partying. Don't miss the punch. — Jay (2007-02-12) Surf 'n' Sun is by far the best hostel in all of Oz!!! It made my time in Australia one I will never forget. I suggest to anyone going to Surfers Paradise to stay at Surf 'n' Sun. I promise you, you won't regret it. Staff are brilliant, rooms are clean, location is perfect, kitchen is clean, the punch is, well the punch is AMAZING! And make sure you meet Gary, Amanda, Keelen and Lily (the dog!) — Amanda (2005-11-27) Hey Chris and the team, still going strong and still the best in Oz. It's 11 years since I turned up for a day and stayed for (overstayed). I still miss the times!! The tradition carries on! — Iain (2005-06-23) Hands down the best hostel in Oz!!! What can I say, the staff were AWESOME. Every night is five-dollar punch night and they keep it coming until EVERYONE goes out, TOGETHER. It's the best place to meet people. if you're solo come here, if you're in a small group come here, if you're in a big group come HERE!!! No other hostel compares, not even remotely!!! — Matt Huston (2005-05-02) This was the first hostel I lived in, on my travels in Australia. I spent seven months in Australia and lived in lots of different hostels, but I can say this was the best!!! I had a great time here. I met so many nice people; I just loved it. Some day I will go back and then I will stay at Surf 'n' Sun. — Erika from Sweden (2004-12-02) I come to Surfers Paradise every year, and I love this place so much I considered moving just to be near it. It's the type of place where everyone can walk up and say hi to anyone, and new friendships are made instantly. I have since tried making the same punch they make here back in Melbourne but it does not have the same effect at all. And the best thing is, the staff are backpackers themselves so they understand exactly what you want. See you guys in February. — Linda, Melbourne (2004-11-26) I was only here for a short period of time and yet I easily fell in love with the place. The staff are so friendly and chill, the beach is right there, and I met so many great people here. Going out as a group at night was so much fun and memorable. I will be back!! =) — Ariella (2004-10-01) What can I say about this place? I absolutely loved it. It has a great staff, and the killer punch always helps—it does exactly what it says it does. The staff are super-friendly and super-helpful. On a return trip to Surfers I wouldn't consider staying anywhere else. A stay here will not disappoint you, just provide you with lasting memories. — Patricia MItchell (2004-09-20)