Brisbane Homestead

Good People and Staff, Very Bad Manager
I worked in Homestead for a couple of months and met and worked with some lovely people. The hostel is small so ideal to make friends but I could see why some people may be put off by the seemingly cliquey atmosphere. The hostel was very clean, the kitchen was satisfactory, and the lounge very comfortable. The rooms were basic but fine, though my bed did have bed bugs for which the managed flatly denied responsibility. Which brings me on to the major flaw in this hostel -- the manager Flo. An arrogant, obnoxious, sad little man with too much money (supposedly) and too little sense. Ironically when customer service should be a manager's forte, all this man could manage was lies and rude inappropriate comments. If you were male and he felt threatened by or disliked you, he'd throw you out. If you were pretty skinny and female, he'd sleaze on you. Because I worked here he thought he could harass and bully me, so I left. If you traveling alone and want to make friends in a relatively quiet hostel this is the place for you. But sadly I would find this hostel very hard to recommend solely because of the poor pathetic excuse of a manager. The owners are caught up with bigger and better ventures now, hence why they've employed him.

Absolutely diabolical
The manager Flo will kick people out and keep their money because he is allowed to legally, and he will find any excuse to. He even has two pansy beer bellied heavies as "bouncers" (that says it all) just in case someone actually takes a bat to his face. I quote Flo the "manager" as saying "I don't care if they've paid for a year I still wouldn't give them a refund." Do not stay at this Hostel just for the sake of the other backpackers he has swindled.

Good
flo just deserves to be tortured to death. he keeps kicking people out one after the other for almost no reason. the hostel is quite good though. it seems like there is always a good atmosphere.

I was there for eight weeks working and I met tons of cool people and had some good times. There was a couple of huge turn offs. Flo, for one -- he for some reason thinks his sh*t don't stink and apparently he is the richest man the I've ever met and will ever meet. The other thing is I don't see how you can destroy a backpackers experience that badly. Trying to get grown men and woman to go to bed at 10 p.m. even if we are whispering. To some it up if you want to be treaty like an infant then go there and be controlled by some sad excuse of a human life form.

i was so glad to get out of this place, i was there for two months and you would wonder why i stayed so long if i hated it but i had a job and had made some great friends at the hostel. the hostel itself is fine however it is totally spoilt by an atmosphere of absolute hatred for Flo the manager. he thinks he is the Geezer and many times i had to witness him letching over young pretty girls and to be honest i almost threw up. and it's not just that, he makes inappropriate comments about race, sexuality, and gender. if you are not a young, beautiful, skinny female you will be treated like sh*t. and although i understand that this is a quiet hostel for workers there needs to be somewhere for people to go at night time, i mean to be told to go to bed at 10 p.m. was ridiculous, and all we were doing was talking loud enough to be able to hear each other. so to wrap up i would say don't stay there because if people keep going then nothing will be done about the poor management, so spread the word and we can stop people like flo from running our backpackers.

Would be a very nice hostel, but the manager is totally weird. He's a clown and pathetic. He needs to kick out one person a day, otherwise he is unsatisfied. The hostel itself is clean and the rooms are ok. If you want the manager shouting at you, an empty pool, no free bikes, and no free internet, that would be the place to be. The lights are turned off every night at 9:39 p.m. and they tell you to go to bed.

This was a great place to stay, and I think it has changeds, because there was a new manager there when I was there who was working to make the place better. I cleaned for a while, so I know the place is clean, although there is only so much you can do if some lazy backpackers mess everything up right after you. Good TV room, comfy (probably fake!) leather sofas, and the huge door leading to the kitchen is great at letting you know whats going on in the evening. If you want somewhere near the nightlife of Brisbane (Fortitude Valley) but without having loud noise permanently in your hostel, this is the place to be. And big up to Maureen, the sour next door neighbour! We love you!

Had a great time here last year, and early this year. Shame it gets quiet so early but its good when ya working!

We thought we could save a few dollars by staying at Homestead — BIG MISTAKE!! If you want a surly welcome, cliquey long-term crowd, late night noise and a savaging by the bedbugs book now to avoid satisfaction! This place was such a cliche, everything you don't want in a hostel and the manager Claire had a right stone up her ass. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra couple of bucks to feel clean and taken care of in a quality establishment — there are plenty out there.

Well the hostel itself has a very nice atmosphere! The people there are the best! They are the reason why so many people stay! I used to be the bus driver and night manager with Neil and Luke, It was a great laugh, especially when we used to do everything together! My hola goes out to Mark (Canadian) Luke, Trease, Claire (Irish) Neil, Rosa, Gavin, Lucy, and Viv. A big shout to BRENT — now there is a true mate! Big Chris, Rick, and Melissa, Marion, Caroline, Dreaded Dan, Dan (German) and Tess! Clare and Mat! It was such a good time there! Dan the man! Have it!

I think Homestead was a good place to stay for a few weeks but after that I think you'd start to get irritated! Fancy-dress karaoke on a Wednesday is the best and never gets old but it is annoying when the kitchen and TV room lock up at 11! Who wants to go to bed that early?! I never had a problem with Claire, the manager...can't say I ever saw her psycho either, but hey, it can happen to the best of us, I guess! All the staff who worked there while I was there were lovely.... Sabrina, Damien, Adrian, and whoever else there were! Anyhow it's got its good points and its bad points! It's worth a try as it's so damn cheap!

This place was ok. The room was smelly and a bit shabby but the kitchen facilities and lounge were pretty good — nice leather sofas to cozy into. The location is good with all the stuff you need near by. I can see that the security could be an issue, as it is open onto the street all night and you do have to make sure your door is locked. Most of the staff were really friendly, although they took over the TV room and the laundry a few times, which was a bit annoying as they put themselves before the guests and used the fact that they were staff as an excuse.

If you come to Brisbane, you'll probably find no better place to stay than the Homestead! Brilliant people, nice rooms, moderate prices!!! I spent a really great time there!!!

I've had the best time there since I've been Oz — but I have to agree that management is SO, SO HORRIBLE!!! Matt and Claire do have serious attitudes that need to be sorted out. And because of them a lot of people left Homestead, which is a shame because it's a great place. Maybe you guys should take some more time off — what you think?!

I have probably lived there for like two years, because I was studying in Brisbane, and it's been just too brilliant. I met some crazy people and yeah, of course, Becs and Sandy. I stayed there, worked there, cooked my first barbecue there, and sang my first-ever solo song. I can go on and on but you guys must stay here for at least a week. You'll end up staying a month or even more. And yeah, don't forget the trip to Moreton Island. The hostel gives you a good deal on it. Cheers, have a blast.