Gecko Lodge

Good
I have been in Gecko Lodge in 2000 and despite really the most horrible mattress I've ever slept (very very soft -- it's better to put the mattress on the floor), it's really cozy place with a nice pool with the TV opposite. and I wish one day I'll come back there!

I stayed in the house next door and it was disgusting, very dirty -- the worst mattress I've slept on during three months travelling in Oz. the water in one of the showers was ankle-high because it didn't drain. Yuck! The staff was very nice though and if you arrive late they organize your key and sheets and everything so you can get in. The breakfast pancakes are yummy too.

I stayed at Gecko's several times, back in 2003 and 2004. Excellent place. A very good atmosphere! Real fresh filter coffee in the mornings with thin baked pancakes from the barbie. Good on ya mate! I stayed at several hostels durring my travels, but only a few of them I could call my home. Gecko Lodge is definitely my homeplace wen I get back to Darwin in 2007. People that complain about a fine hostel like this should go to a five-star hotel -- maybe that can live up to their expectations.

I was at the Gecko October 2005 and feel that the comments from 2004 do the current Gecko Lodge an injustice since it's now under new management and although it's not the most spick and span of hostels (but then I find the often immaculate nature of YHA type hostels too impersonal) it's better than some of the other comments suggest. Maybe I was lucky but when I was there I met some really great people and I found that Marcel, the owner, was always ready to help you out and was very relaxed. If you're sleeping in your van or car you can park in the large carpark area and for a reduced price have access to the facilities. Darwin's favourite backpacker mechanic also resides here along with a few other interesting characters!

The pool at this lodge was refreshing in 500% humidity, and the free pancake breakfast (the pancakes were more like crepes) was very tasty. The best thing was the fact that they had cable TV with the big double bed/family room. When Darwin became unbearably humid and hot, a cool room with a TV was refreshing. The staff were decent, but the place was in a shambles. It needed a deep clean. We also had a gecko lizard friend that kept us company during the night.

The worst hostel I have ever seen. This is linked to the Whoop Whoop Hostel next door, which is in a shocking state of disrepair to say the least. This place is an embarassment. The toilets are disgusting, kitchens didn't even have a toaster! Oven didn't work, the list is endless. Oh, and the (mis)management tried to rip me off. AVOID!!!

The Gecko Lodge was run-down and dirty, and the bathrooms were unisex and smelly. With the other backpacker hostels available in Darwin for the same price range, I would not stay at the Gecko Lodge. The staff were unfriendly and would not refund my payment, even though they had clearly made a mistake with the booking (and they knew it). I was dismayed by the attitude of Gecko Lodge, using their 'pre-payment only' to fill all beds & take advantage of a backpacker.

The check-in was just the start of the problem. The management had left for the day (at 4pm), and the gardener was in charge of the place. A mess-up in the booking meant we had to take whatever he could find on the list, but never did he think of phoning his boss to ask what he should do about the problem. How about the 'can-do' attitude that the rest of this country has adopted?

The Gecko Lodge is in two locations across the road from each other. The Whoop-Whoop section is crumbling, dirty, and cramped. The bathrooms stink (unisex) and the kitchen is disgusting. The place needs a total revamp. There are gaps in the walls and insects and mosquitos come in.