Sundancer Backpackers Resort

The Sundancer is a really colourful hostel with a nice open-plan living area on the first floor---pool tables, Internet cafe, fireplace, ping pong tables, kitchen, and reception are all connected. They provide a lot of nice extra services so you don't have to leave the hostel if you don't want to. These include a residents-only bar at the reception, a heated spa (hot tub to North Americans) out back, phone boxes in the alley outside, and cheap bike hire. The downstairs is decorated with a lot of funky, interesting murals and the rooms and upstairs areas have sky-high ceilings and funky old wooden floors, throw carpets, and stained-glass windows.

The location is also good. It's right in central Fremantle, just blocks from the main attractions and the supermarket. You can get there from the airport by taking two busses, or a bus to Perth and then the train, but the easiest way is probably just to get the airport shuttle bus, which will drop you right outside. Getting into and back from Perth is easiest by train; turn left outside the hostel, go up to the corner, turn left again and follow the road to the end to find the Fremantle Train Station.

Downsides to the hostel include a lack of cleanliness. The reception, the hallways, and sometimes the rooms have a musty, funky unappealing sort of smell. Some of the floors and bathrooms seem like they could use a thorough scrubbing, and the throw carpets in the rooms need a vacuum.

For the kitchen you are given a set of cutlery, a plate, a bowl and a cup when you arrive and these are yours for the duration of your stay; if you forget and leave them out in the kitchen after washing you're responsible for them, so watch out.

The social atmosphere here is pretty good, but could use a few more planned activities in the area instead of just relying on the bar to provide entertainment. The television room is small and cramped and rarely used.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review