The Hostelz.com Review
Caravella Cairns City Backpackers is one of the more popular and highly rated backpackers in Cairns. It is considered a backpackers resort. It is very large hostel, but not crowded. It is comprised of several buildings and has large open spaces as well, including outdoor BBQ and a nice pool area.
The Location
Caravella is located a very short walk away from the city center of Cairns, right on the Esplanade. They have a free shuttle bus several times per day, but it takes literally less than ten minutes to walk to all of the action in the city. Caravella also offers a free airport pick-up, and they can book the airport shuttle back for those who need it (you have to pay for this). There is a take-away food shop adjacent to the hostel that offers quick and cheap food for those who don't want to cook.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Dorm rooms sleep up to six people in bunk beds. Beds are comfortable and rooms are mopped daily. Rooms have air-conditioning, which is a must in Cairns' hot and humid climate. Doors have locks, and the outside gate has a security code for those returning to the hostel after 10 p.m. All rooms have small refrigerators. Private rooms are also available with air conditioning, en-suite, and balconies. Rooms don't have much in the way of storage space, but do generally have a few hooks or a clothes rack.
Bathrooms are cleaned daily and have adequate showers and toilets. Caravella is on a large property with plenty of facilities, so if showers closest to an assigned dorm are occupied, additional bathrooms are only a short walk away. Bed linen is provided, but travelers should bring their own towels.
Common Spaces
Caravella does have several common spaces. The atmosphere is friendly, but it is not a party hostel, with quiet time after 11 p.m. Many people leave early in the morning for Great Barrier Reef or Cape Tribulation trips, and the reception opens at 7 for those who need to check out early.
There are two large, clean kitchens with basic cutlery, dishes, and saucepans. Each kitchen has a large refrigerator for storing food. There are picnic benches in the kitchens, and just outside the kitchens as well. Along with picnic benches, there is a pool table and table tennis. There is also a nice swimming pool with plenty of lounge chairs
Other facilities include several Global Gossip internet terminals, one Global Gossip telephone, coin-operated laundry facilities. Caravella has a tour-booking desk and can give advice and discounts on some tours and bus tickets. They have a storage room for those heading off on overnight trips but returning to the hostel.
Summary
Because much of the hostel is outside and open, there are a few large bugs floating around, which is part of being in Tropical North Queensland. Bug spray is available in reception in case any get in the rooms. The hostel requires a key deposit, and check-out is at 9:30 a.m. The hostel also provides free meal vouchers each night for The Woolshed, a popular backpacker bar and restaurant in the center of town. In summary, Caravella is a clean, popular, high-quality hostel in a good location, with great facilities.
The Location
Caravella is located a very short walk away from the city center of Cairns, right on the Esplanade. They have a free shuttle bus several times per day, but it takes literally less than ten minutes to walk to all of the action in the city. Caravella also offers a free airport pick-up, and they can book the airport shuttle back for those who need it (you have to pay for this). There is a take-away food shop adjacent to the hostel that offers quick and cheap food for those who don't want to cook.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Dorm rooms sleep up to six people in bunk beds. Beds are comfortable and rooms are mopped daily. Rooms have air-conditioning, which is a must in Cairns' hot and humid climate. Doors have locks, and the outside gate has a security code for those returning to the hostel after 10 p.m. All rooms have small refrigerators. Private rooms are also available with air conditioning, en-suite, and balconies. Rooms don't have much in the way of storage space, but do generally have a few hooks or a clothes rack.
Bathrooms are cleaned daily and have adequate showers and toilets. Caravella is on a large property with plenty of facilities, so if showers closest to an assigned dorm are occupied, additional bathrooms are only a short walk away. Bed linen is provided, but travelers should bring their own towels.
Common Spaces
Caravella does have several common spaces. The atmosphere is friendly, but it is not a party hostel, with quiet time after 11 p.m. Many people leave early in the morning for Great Barrier Reef or Cape Tribulation trips, and the reception opens at 7 for those who need to check out early.
There are two large, clean kitchens with basic cutlery, dishes, and saucepans. Each kitchen has a large refrigerator for storing food. There are picnic benches in the kitchens, and just outside the kitchens as well. Along with picnic benches, there is a pool table and table tennis. There is also a nice swimming pool with plenty of lounge chairs
Other facilities include several Global Gossip internet terminals, one Global Gossip telephone, coin-operated laundry facilities. Caravella has a tour-booking desk and can give advice and discounts on some tours and bus tickets. They have a storage room for those heading off on overnight trips but returning to the hostel.
Summary
Because much of the hostel is outside and open, there are a few large bugs floating around, which is part of being in Tropical North Queensland. Bug spray is available in reception in case any get in the rooms. The hostel requires a key deposit, and check-out is at 9:30 a.m. The hostel also provides free meal vouchers each night for The Woolshed, a popular backpacker bar and restaurant in the center of town. In summary, Caravella is a clean, popular, high-quality hostel in a good location, with great facilities.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
February 2010
Their Description
Caravella Cairns City Backpackers Details
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The best hostel for your money! I have stayed in many hostels in aus, so fare more than forty. This by far has been the best! Its not just good on price, its very clean, brings people together as friends, makes you feel at home and has excellent staff members who will go out of the way to help you. If you are going to cairns this is the first stop, if you dont you might just regret it. We did, then we found Caravella the heart of aus! — Del boy , British (2008-10-14) Overall a good hostel Everything you can ask from a hostel I suppose -- walking distance to everything, although away from the noise, ac in the dorms, and a pretty neat swimming pool. Great reception staff who will help with anything and book all your Reef/Rainforest trips with good advice. downsides are that it used to be a motel so dorm rooms can be on the small side and there's no lockers in the rooms for your bag and the bunk beds aren't the sturdiest. — Ben H , England (2008-03-09) Well-run and clean Stayed here for a week, and had no complaints. Air-con was very nice during the hot weather. Staff was very friendly, and other guests were respectful. Free dinner was a good money saver too. — kelly , USA (2008-01-30) Poor This hostel was dirty. The people working there didn't know what they were doing. It was very noisy. I would never stay there again. — Anonymous , canadian (2007-07-07) sorry but this place is a dump! arrived to find a room that absolutely reeked of BO and dampness. was a 6 share and barely had enough room to move. the toilet/shower in the room was dirty, have no idea when they last cleaned it as no one in the room saw anyone come in in days and the door was punched in. kitchen was crawling with bugs so i didnt cook there. very noisy at night barely got any sleep, then awoken at 5am by a staff member hosing down the concrete. a guy in my room pissed the bed at night! decompression sickness? thats what staff told me and get this -- the mattress was never changed. the only good thing was friendly staff. as you can imagine i didnt stay and luckily found some other cleaner and more central hostel for the same price. — melissa (2006-06-11) this hostel is wicked. it has a really good location on the esplanade so its not too noisy. the rooms are clean and tidy, the kitchen isnt that great but who cares when you have free meal tickets every night! lovely pool and chill out area and really cool staff. you gotta love gloria! stay here it rocks. — nat (2006-05-23) Absolutely brilliant! On arrival, we discovered there had been a mix-up with our booking — the hostel had no record of it. Not a good start you might think! However, thanks to the incredibly helpful and friendly staff, this was sorted immediately and we were even given a free upgrade to an en suite room. What else can I say? It was clean, spacious, with a great pool, really nice staff (who were particularly helpful when it came to booking tours, etc.), friendly atmosphere, cheap Internet, and in an ideal location just seconds from the waterfront. Just brilliant. I loved it and would definitely stay here again. — Em (2005-05-01) Loved Caravella! I stayed here on the recommendation of a travelling buddy I met on my sailing trip in Airlie Beach. Rooms were clean and comfortable. I met some really cool people while staying there. I would definitely go back! — Lolly P. (2005-01-24) I stayed at Caravella's in 1989 for a couple of months. I can't believe it's still going strong — good on you! — Joe (2004-12-22) This place was ok. However, it was really noisy, both from other backpackers and the staff from the pizza bar which backed onto some rooms. The kitchen wasn't clean, either. On the plus side, the staff were really friendly and happy to help us choose and book our tours. — Hayley (2004-09-02) I stayed in the hostel at 149 The Esplanade. It has a perfect staff, who are very, very helpful. It has a good location, too, next to the city center, but not inside it. It's ideal to stay here for more than a couple of days; it's very easy to know a lot of people. The only, but big, problem: the toilets and the room service. Only one star for these points, five for the others. — Max (2004-08-29) I stayed here for ages!!! I booked plenty of tours through the staff at reception and didn't regret a single one! Jonny i miss u!!!! How could anyone not stay at a hostel where u only have to cross the road to find the HUGE pool and free BBQs. I hope I'll be back. — Michelle (2004-01-27) Great place, right around the corner from the 'Woolshed' - a must do!! — Matt (2004-01-02) Nice chilled out atmosphere, nice deep pool (good for diving ;) ). It has good rooms, most of them with a fridge and some of them with ensuite bathrooms. It's a good place to meet fellow travellers as everyone seems to gather at the pool or the tv area. And there is a kitchen. The place is also on the Esplanade, so right in the centre of the action! Loved my stay up there!! — Anonymous (2003-12-30) Stayed here for a couple of days and had a brilliant time! Nice pool, friendly staff etc. I want to go back, boohoo. — Mariëlle (2003-08-15)