Greenhouse Backpacker

Greenhouse Backpacker is part of the Friendly group, which also owns Friendly Backpackers on King Street and a travel agent at the ground floor reception of the Greenhouse. Hostels in Melbourne are generally more expensive than in most places elsewhere in Australia and the Greenhouse is certainly not the cheapest hostel. However, locationwise the hostel is on Flinders Lane, only a two-minute walk from Flinders Street Train Station and Federation Square. There are a number of small convenience stores right next to the hostel on Swanston Street, as well as lots of coffee shops (Degraves Street) and fast food outlets. There is a large supermarket on Swanston Street next to the Bourke Street mall.

The hostel is large, which can seem a bit impersonal, but does have good facilities. The main reception and common areas are on the sixth floor. There is a large TV lounge, pool tables, vending machines, laundrette, dining area, and reasonably well equipped kitchen. There is also a roof terrace on the next floor up with sun loungers and BBQ. The reception desk is open twenty-four hours and the staff are able to provide information on tours and local events. The hostel also organises a pub crawl every week and this can be a good way to meet other people in the hostel. They also organise walking tours, provide free breakfast every day (pancakes on a Sunday), and have a free BBQ once a week.

The hostel is relatively clean and the rooms have air-conditioning. However the pillows are pretty thin and some rooms are in the middle of the building and have no natural light. All rooms have large lockers for storing your stuff (you need your own padlock). Generally the hostel is pretty social but can seem a bit like a hotel with a high turnover of guests. It is a good idea to book ahead as the hostel can be very busy in summer, and unlike other hostels if you don't pay ahead for your bed, then they may book it out to someone else. Overall the hostel has a great location and good facilities, however the size can make it slightly impersonal and there are cheaper and smaller hostels in the area if you are on a budget or looking for somewhere a bit quieter.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review