Fistral Backpackers

Porn mag, stained sheets, and half a packet of condoms!
These are just some of the free added extras that they forgot to put on their description of this place and that my sister, boyfriend, and I were unlucky enough to find in our private rooms! Along with the Fawlty Towers-Style showers ( 20p for four minute located outside the bathroom so you have to put another 20p in in your towel to get eight minutes), the one toilet for the whole place, multiple punch holes in the walls, old faded and unvacuumed carpets, disgustingly filthy kitchenette, and fifty-plus-year-old stained mattresses stacked on top of each other on the beds to hide the springs in your back (without success) -- this has to win hands-down the World's Dodgiest Hostel award! Having traveled and backpacked round the world for over eight years and to five continents, I can safely put my hand on heart and declare this is the worst hostel (albeit in the best location) that i have ever stayed at. After reading previous comments for the past year it seems apparent that the owners have put absolutely nothing into the upkeep of this place. We were told by staff that this place was being knocked down after the summer -- i wonder why?

Shocking, absolutely shocking
I dont profess to be a backpacker but the friends i stayed with are and we are all in agreement that this place is terrible. We stayed for three nights in May '07 and the following are the highlights. Absolutely stinks, there are foul smells in all parts of the building. Probably damp. Rooms leak, it rained for an hour or so one evening and our bedroom floor was soaked -- ruining half of our clothing! Charged 44 pounds for our room that had a bunk bed-slats fell out when you got on it and a sink that looked as old as the building. Showers were dirty and a charge of 20p for four minutes was unbelievable. No beds were made up and the beds themselves were very poor. Kitchen facilities were limited and other backpackers were nicking each other's food/drink. Manager was an incompetent. He was blunt and showed no concern at all when we told him about the leak, instead he ignored us and tried to forget to give my friend his 10 pounds deposit back for the room key. As useful as a chocolate teapot! The lock on the bedroom door could have been forced open by a three-year-old. No facilities were on offer at all, this is simply a damp, stinky, overpriced, run down hellhole that should be condemned! To give some idea, my friends backpacked around the world and have stayed in some pretty rundown places, their acknowledgment of this being the worst should give you some idea. Don't stay here!

Possibly the worst place i have ever set my eyes on. Dirty does not cover the place, there was blood on the sheets, most sheets and pillows were black, some beds looked like a child had made them in a design and technology class. Even worse than the place were the owners. Constantly moaning and on our back, coming into our room whilst we were asleep, and last but not least extremely threatening behaviour. The lowest points of our stay is where a short fat night manager started swinging his keys at a friend of mine, resulting in him getting a punch out of self defence, the same man later threatened to rip my lips off. Very unfriendly, very unclean, stay away from this horrible place.

The dirtiest place I've ever stayed. Toilets stank of urine, wee all over the floor, sand in the showers (if you got one to work), dirty bed linen and un-hoovered floor. Shame. Wouldn't go back again. The owners were nice.

thank you for an amazin week, we loved it. definitely stay here.

Poor even for the price. No hot water in a shower, broken heating, really uncomfortable beds. Bed linen was not fresh, so I had to ask for a new one. Stayed just for one night and decided to find some other place to sleep. One positive thing was people who run it.

Brilliant place, been many times. So easy going and relaxed, made some fantastic mates there and can't wait to go back!

The atmosphere is so friendly and relaxed, but the location of the hostel is what makes it the best place to stay in Newquay — the beach, the bars, the restaurants, the shops...what more could you want? Oh yes, of course, the extremely hot surfer dudes...well, they've got them, too!

Fistral Backpackers is a very well priced family run place. I have been going there for the past 4 years with my son and friends. The people and the place are so beautiful and relaxed. I would recommend it to anyone.... Go, go, go!!!

This hostel was absolutely SPLENDID! My wife and I just LOVED it.....however, soon after the holiday, she divorced me... Oh well....But I promise you the hostel is GREAT!

This hostel has great views, a good pub and nice food.

This hostel had a very good location and excellent facilities.

I love this pub. It is quite simply the best pub by far in Newquay. The food is superb, especially their steaks. Get a seat in the corner for the night, overlooking the bay, and have several pints. In my eyes there is nowhere better. Thanks for some great times.

This place is awesome. It's 5 minutes from the beach, 10 minutes from the center of town...God, it's so much fun! The atmosphere is totally relaxed, and the place is totally cheap--my best holiday ever!

This place is the best place to stay in Newquay--it rocks the chicken's nest.