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Exford Hotel Backpackers

Melbourne

33 of 55
Address
199 Russell Street (corner of Little Bourke Street), Melbourne Victoria, Australia   Map
Price
$19 - $30 4 bed Dorms / Doubles and Twins $58 - $70
Location/Contact
Details
Online booking is not offered for this hostel, contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed above).
Their Description

Features

  • Free Breakfast
  • Kitchen
  • Lockers
  • Bar
  • Lounge / Common space
  • Pool Table
  • TV
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Travel information provided
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
 
The Hostelz.com Review
If quaint old heritage buildings are your thing and staying in the dead centre of the city is essential, the Exford Hotel Backpackers is the place for you. Ornate on the outside and inside --- think embossed patterned walls, tall windows, and high ceilings -- it's a fun place to daydream back to 1854, when the hotel was built, while enjoying the charms of central Melbourne.

The Location

The Exford gets top points for location. Occupying the corner of Russell and Little Bourke Streets in Melbourne's CBD, rooms sit above the bustling scene of Chinatown. The hostel shares its Russell Street entrance with the pub downstairs, reached via a secure keycard lock. It's close to all of the CBD landmarks -- Queen Elizabeth Market, Federation Square, and Melbourne Central are all an easy ten- to fifteen-minute stroll away, not to mention the countless restaurants, bars, and shopping in the area.

The Exford is closest to Parliament train station on Spring Street (about ten minutes' walk), otherwise catch a #86 or #96 tram on Bourke Street to get to the main bus/train hub of Southern Cross Station on Spencer Street. Also a short walk away is the City Circle tram, an entirely free way to get around the city. While public parking is available via meter or parking lot, be prepared to pay a lot for it. The hotel itself does not have its own designated parking spots.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The dorm rooms are a bit aged but clean and come with the basics -- beds, table, chairs. Small lockers are provided for each guest in the room. Large windows provide plenty of light and views to the streets below, but can also let the in cold during winter as well as the street noise. Hardwood floors maintain the old charm but the locks have been modernized with secure keycard locks. As it's an old building, electrical outlets are few, so be prepared to take turns charging mobile phones. If you're concerned about privacy, the Exford offers two-bed dorm rooms -- fantastic if you're traveling as a pair of friends or a couple who doesn't mind a bunk bed. Larger four-, six-, and eight-bed dorms are also on offer.

The bathrooms are newly renovated and very clean, with the toilets in one keycard-accessible room, and the showers in their own rooms, also accessed by keycards. The toilet areas are tiny and there isn't much room to move (or to avoid getting hit by a door) while using the sink. The showers are much roomier, have excellent water pressure, and come with a sink in each stall. The keycard system seems a bit unnecessary for the bathrooms, and can be annoying in the middle of the night when you are forced to hunt for the magic plastic card in the dark.

Common Spaces

The Exford's kitchen leaves a bit to be desired. A dreary basement space which can sometimes get very crowded, guests cook to the tune of loud fans while watching shadowy feet pass by the windows to the street above. Happily, there are multiple stovetops and a great selection of utensils to make a quick pot of pasta. There's plenty of room for food storage in the walk-in refrigerator, and each guest gets a roomy locker for food and dishes. There are long tables, although it's not the kind of atmosphere in which to enjoy a leisurely dinner. But with all the money saved on accommodation, why not splurge a bit and find some cheap eats at one of the many nearby restaurants?

Outside the kitchen is a comfy basement lounge equipped with a giant TV with FoxTel and several slouchy couches good for having a beer, reading a book, or chatting with other guests. The vibe is friendly and laid-back in the lounge, but the real social draw at the Exford is the pub on the main floor. Stained-glass windows, polished wood, and embossed metal ceilings maintain the old-pub feel, and the lively atmosphere and drink specials will keep you drinking there all night. Luckily, it's only a short stumble up a few flights of stairs to bed.

Summary

If you're looking for a fun atmosphere with an excellent location, the Exford is a great place to stay. If you desire hospital-grade cleanliness, it may be a little too "granny's attic" for you, but heritage lovers will delight in staying in a little piece of Melbourne's history.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
June 2009


Ratings & Comments

3.4 Average from 12 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Mandy, Adelaidian
July 2007
4 Very impressed
Stayed in may '07 for a concert at the metro, was very, very impressed. The staff were friendly and the room was very nice. Is right next to China town so restaurants were easy to find. Would go to again if ever staying in Melbourne.
Comment by happyzz, Malaysia
April 2007
5 I've stayed in Exford Hotel for only three days, and I think that everything is great about the place -- the staff, the cleanliness, the service, and it's one of the cheapest in the city. The staff is really friendly and always have a ready smile for the customers. I thoroughly recommend this place!
Comment by the dirty ex
November 2006
5 some of the backpackers like to get the staff wasted and take advantage. The ones with a life.
Comment by gav behan
June 2006
1 some of the staff like to get backpackers wasted and take advantage.
Comment by Stuart
November 2004
4 My stay was during February some time ago. At this time the dorms get very hot at night, as the temperatures can reach 40 degrees Celsius during the day. I stayed for three weeks in a ten-bed dorm. There was a great range of people and characters to meet. It was reasonably cheap compared to YHA. Cinemas are a stone's throw away. It's good for two or three weeks.
Comment by BSC
November 2004
4 My stay at the Exford was brilliant. I stayed in the ten-bed dorm for close to two months while I worked in the city. It's a great place to hang your hat while working or traveling. My stay was during February and March, which spanned the Chinese New Year celebrations and the Grand Prix. The hostel was very noisy during those times and not the place to be if you wished to relax. Do note the rate was increased leading up to the Grand Prix but it was not too outlandish. The location is very central. Staff were friendly. The hostel was clean and secure. If you like to be in the center of the activities then this would be the place for you.
Comment by Anonymous
October 2004
1 I hated the place and the staff. I met some lovely people here, but honestly could not wait to get out of the place. I lasted here 10 days, and that was only because a friend and I had previously arranged our stay. I recommend avoiding this place.
Comment by Anonymous
August 2004
1 What a hole. This was the worst place I have ever stayed all over the world. I would rather sleep with dead sheep in Dubai than sleep on what the staff seemed to refer to as 'mattresses'. One would be more comfortable on the street; the people would possibly be more amicable, as well.
Comment by José
June 2004
5 I loved this hostel--great location, right in Chinatown. There were a lot of cinemas complexes within three blocks, about one in each direction. The prices were OK. It was very clean and extremely safe. You need to use a smartcard to access the hostel stairs, room, toilet, and shower. You are assigned a locker in the kitchen for your food, and they have a huge kitchen and fridge. The reception is actually the bar, and this makes the hostel very cool. Everything is within walking distance. I loved it and would come back again. My visit to Melbourne from May 23-27 was unforgettable.
Comment by Pinar
May 2004
4 Nice and friendly staff. Great atmosphere, and great bar and bottle shop below. It's not noisy, it's clean and safe!! It's cheap compared to other hostels. You meet great people. I recommend this place to everyone. I will stay here again whenever I'm in Melbourne. Only, the beds are a bit uncomfortable.
Comment by Anonymous
March 2004
2 I stayed at this hostel for 5 weeks while working in Melbourne. It started off fine, but the staff seemed to spend more time wanting to know everyone's business then actually doing their jobs. It's quite clean, but dorm rooms were very cold.
Comment by Danielle
December 2003
5 I stayed at the Exford two years ago and found the hostel really friendly, quite cheap and well situated. I had good fun during my 3 week stay!!
Have you visited this hostel? Post your comments here.

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