The Hostelz.com Review
Located five hundred metres from the transit centre, Couple O Days is set back from most of the action. Pick-up isn't provided here, but it's not too far to walk. The whole set-up is pretty basic, and in some places quite shabby, but the general atmosphere is friendly and very welcoming.
On our two-night stay, the first was a cooking disaster, as there are only four hobs and the microwave is located away in the office. This makes some meals difficult. However you can get around this setback, as we did, by cooking at a different time (the hostel is small so we had no problem with this).
We decided to join the hostels night crawl into town. We were pleasantly surprised, getting free entry into clubs, jumping the queue, and getting free drinks (good ones at that -- bottled beer, basic spirits). One staff member takes the crawls out every night, which creates the right kind of atmosphere. Every night they do something to get people involved -- free meals or pub crawls -- so the hostel atmosphere is very cheerful and everyone seems to get on. This is therefore a great hostel to meet other travelers.
There is however a large number of long-term residents who generally keep to themselves. They are polite, but tend not to mix with everyone else. Therefore the nights out are generally for those who want to socialise. It's a nice, friendly hostel, with the price reflecting the fact that the hostel itself is basic.
On our two-night stay, the first was a cooking disaster, as there are only four hobs and the microwave is located away in the office. This makes some meals difficult. However you can get around this setback, as we did, by cooking at a different time (the hostel is small so we had no problem with this).
We decided to join the hostels night crawl into town. We were pleasantly surprised, getting free entry into clubs, jumping the queue, and getting free drinks (good ones at that -- bottled beer, basic spirits). One staff member takes the crawls out every night, which creates the right kind of atmosphere. Every night they do something to get people involved -- free meals or pub crawls -- so the hostel atmosphere is very cheerful and everyone seems to get on. This is therefore a great hostel to meet other travelers.
There is however a large number of long-term residents who generally keep to themselves. They are polite, but tend not to mix with everyone else. Therefore the nights out are generally for those who want to socialise. It's a nice, friendly hostel, with the price reflecting the fact that the hostel itself is basic.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2006
Their Description
Couple O' Days Backpackers Details
|
|
(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Map Location/ContactHow is Couple O' Days Backpackers rated on other websites?
Not listed.
Not listed.
Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Home from home!! I stayed at Couple o' Days three times when I was backpacking. I returned for a fourth time on holiday this month. Best hostel I stayed in. If you're looking for a big name hotel, then you're going to be disappointed, however, if you're looking for a place to meet new people and have a good time then this is the place to stay. Cockroaches are Australia wide -- FACT! deal with it. There are no bedbugs at this hostel. I should know, I've stayed in enough of the rooms to prove it. The linen IS washed. If the people that are staying in the hostel make a mess in the kitchen just before you get in there then of course it's going to be dirty. Blame the slobs that made the mess in there. The hostel is small but that's the magic of it. You meet people really quickly and if you stay there for a few days you end up as a little family! The pool gets Vacuumed regularly and has a filter. If you get cold at night there is a big blanket to keep you warm. The area is not full of 'girl gangs' -- I walked up and down that street hundreds of times on my own at night and not so much as a squeak from said 'girl gangs!' Belinda, the manager, is lovely and so is puzzles. If you have any problems at all then speak to Belinda about it and she will try her utmost to resolve any issues. There is no money making bar at Couple o' Days which means you can BYO. I have had many happy times sat on that old wooden bench. So many memories!! If you're in Australia to meet people, chill out and have fun then this is the best place to do it. Don't judge a book by it's cover. I know I sound very protective over Couple O' Days but if you don't stay there, you won't understand!! — Bex , England (2011-04-20) Dirty and bedbugs! This hostel was the worst that Tom and I stayed in during our trip 3 month East Coast trip. We arrived late, so nothing else was open, but I wish we had slept in our ute. Not only was it disgustingly dirty, but I believe they don't wash any of the linen. This is the only place that we received bedbugs and we stayed only one night! Tom woke to find a dead cockroach hull next to his head and I found several dark hairs on the blanket -- I am blonde. In the morning we went to the kitchen to make tea, but the sink was filthy and the kettle was rusted inside. Needless to say, we bought our breakfast that morning. The staff was friendly, I will say that, but I would still rate it a zero if possible. It should be condemned. — Cate and Tom , Canadian and Aussie (2011-03-22) I stayed at the "Couple O Days" backpackers for about two weeks. I was waiting to move into my new apartment with three of my friends and couldn't find a sharehouse for just two weeks so the backpackers seemed to be the only solution. I chose this backpackers mainly because it is (as far as I know) the cheapest in Surfers. I will be honest. I absolutely hated it there. I mean the staff were friendly and my roommates were nice (most of the time) but the hostel itself is so dirty and small. My bed was hard and uncomfortable, the sheets and blankets were dirty (there were stains on them, they probably washed them but couldn't remove the stains). They do not have air conditioning (just fans, one fan per room!) and it gets way too hot during the day. At night it was too cold and the blanket was by far not enough to keep me warm (it's just a small wool blanket). The bathroom was so dirty. The kitchen was also dirty and in the evening (when most people cook dinner) you have to wait for hours to use it. They only have one microwave, which is in the office and one tiny freezer (also in the office). The TV room was also dirty and the TV is small and the reception is not good. They do have a pool but it is dirty and very very small. The area it is located in is also quite dangerous. I was once attacked there by a girl gang who hit me in the face and stole my money. There are two other backpackers in the same street. I heard that they are a bit better but also more expensive. This was the first backpackers I ever stayed in so I thought it was normal for them to be like that. But about nine months later (when I started traveling around the country) my friends and I stayed at the backpackers several times. They were a few dollars more expensive but it was worth it! They were so much better. If you only stay in Surfers for a few days you'll probably have no other choice than staying at the backpackers. But if you stay for one month or more find a sharehouse! They are much cheaper (usually about $95 for a shared room (with only one other person!) or $125 or so for your own room (still cheaper than the backpackers!). If you have to stay at the backpackers choose another one! — Lily , Australia (2008-04-28) Dont bother ok, so i didnt stay here, was booked in but when i got there, there was no way i was gonna stay, ended up finding a better place to stay (apartment type accommodation) that ended up being cheaper! yes, cheaper than this hostel. look elsewhere. — michael , australia (2008-02-15) Awesome place! Was made to feel welcome and right at home. Very relaxed atmosphere and met many interesting people. Very well organized and great value. If you are travelling alone and want to make sure you get to party, this is a great place to stay. — Myr (2006-06-25) Nice little backpacker. We stayed here for 3 nights in a double room.
The most important features:
- clean room with fan
- free outside pool (about 8x5m)
- nice and helpful staff (also speaks german)
- organised evening events (eg. pub tours) for free and bbq for little money
- about 10min. walk to the beach
- low price — -K- (2006-02-23) Great little Backpackers.
Very friendly staff. — Stephen (2005-12-13) Fantastic, wonderful place. It has a friendly staff, and it was just marvelous!!! — Jess (2004-12-01)