Urban Central Backpackers

"Flashpacking" seems to be all the rage in Melbourne, and Urban Central Backpackers is the newest of the "upmarket backpackers" places in town. If you look at the website or brochures, you think it must be too good to be true, especially for those who like the stark and simple industrial/urban style -- shiny metal surfaces and lots of gray on black on white. Urban Central certainly has the image side down, but there are a few areas where it may not be live up to some backpackers' expectations.

The location is in Southbank -- close to the Crown Entertainment complex and all the swanky riverside bars and restaurants, but farther away from traveler staples like supermarkets, takeout, and cheap Asian food or cafes.

This hostel has a lot going for it, but also some disappointments. It also depends on what you are looking for. It feels like a big hotel -- many floors, a key code-operated lift (which takes forever to arrive), mazes of indistinguishable hallways. The toilets and showers are plentiful and squeaky-clean (although the glass walls between each shower means the naked person next to you is pretty visible).

There are technically three lounge areas, one on each of the first three floors -- the "TV room," the "chillout area" and the "library." But these common areas seem to be a bit of an afterthought. They feel more like hallways -- probably because they are. Each of them is located in the larger section of the corridors just as you step off the lifts, so people are constantly walking through. The TV area often has people in it, but it's just for watching TV, no one talks. The other two areas never have anyone in them, as they just aren't that comfortable (and the "library" consists of about four books).

The only real lounge area is in the bar, which is filled with comfy couches and a large plasma screen TV. However, at night this area is so loud you would be hard pressed to carry on a conversation with anyone. Ditto the kitchen and eating area, which is large and nice, but constantly chaotically busy and loud -- and the competing music from the bar area (whether live or recorded) and the piped-in music in the eating area doesn't help matters much. The bar has nightly entertainment including live music and stand up comedy.

And although the kitchen is well-stocked, the three sinks are always piled high with dirty dishes and you will probably have to wash things in order to use what you need. The hostel offers free breakfast, free rice and pasta, free tea and coffee plus a free meal on Monday nights.

The best part of this hostel is the beds. With a maximum of four beds in the dorms, you're less likely to get stuck with snorers! At the time of writing, we're happy to report that the glowing white linen of the beds is indeed a reality, and the firm spring mattresses and cozy duvets are a luxury after the sleep sheets and foam of so many other places. There are free personal lockers in each dorm room, which include a useful power point for charging electronic devices.

All in all, if you're a solo backpacker looking for a place to meet other travelers and have good conversation, this may not be your best choice. But it's a great place to go if you are with a large group of friends (which it seems to be filled with) or plan on spending all your time in the bar or out on the town.