The Hostelz.com Review
Base Brisbane - Embassy is in a very good location and is quite cheap -- but that's about the only positive we attribute to the hostel.
The Location
The hostel is located in the heart of Brisbane city and is easily walkable from the bus transit centre -- this also means that guests can easily access the whole city and the Southbank is also just a short walk over Victoria Bridge (around thirty minutes). There is a shopping centre and food court just across the road, meaning plenty of options for guests to eat out! This also contains two supermarkets, for those brave enough to store their food in the hostel's kitchen (which we don't advise).
Rooms and Bathrooms
The bedrooms (we stayed in an eight-share) are standard hostel dorms containing bunk beds and underbed lockers -- however we didn't have an underbed locker on our bunk, and hostel staff told us there was nothing they could do to provide us with one, so we would either not have one or "steal someone else's." Bathrooms seem reasonably clean, but there are only two toilets/sinks/showers for each sex provided on each floor (not really enough for the amount of guests there).
Common Spaces
There is a large cinema room for guests to watch films, which is a nice touch, however the rest of the common spaces are a disgrace. We took one look in the kitchen and decided we didn't want to risk storing food in there -- never mind actually cooking it! We had to throw away any refrigerated food we had. The smell from the fridge (the one small fridge provided for all guests) is awful and there is mould growing both on the bottom shelf and under the fridge itself.
There is a working oven, which has no door (the broken door is left on the kitchen floor) and a large majority of the other appliances are also broken. In addition to this, there is a sign saying to not open the cupboards under the worktops as the doors would fall off. Overall the kitchen is simply a health hazard and when this was brought to the attention of staff all they said was "we know."
The hostel also provides an area where guests can access the internet, however, there are only four computers (constantly in use) and the minimum amount of time you can buy to use them is two hours.
Summary
In summary, Base Brisbane Embassy is a hostel that is horribly let down by the common areas. The state of the kitchen (which is likely to make guests ill!) means that this hostel should be avoided like the plague and we would never visit again!
The Location
The hostel is located in the heart of Brisbane city and is easily walkable from the bus transit centre -- this also means that guests can easily access the whole city and the Southbank is also just a short walk over Victoria Bridge (around thirty minutes). There is a shopping centre and food court just across the road, meaning plenty of options for guests to eat out! This also contains two supermarkets, for those brave enough to store their food in the hostel's kitchen (which we don't advise).
Rooms and Bathrooms
The bedrooms (we stayed in an eight-share) are standard hostel dorms containing bunk beds and underbed lockers -- however we didn't have an underbed locker on our bunk, and hostel staff told us there was nothing they could do to provide us with one, so we would either not have one or "steal someone else's." Bathrooms seem reasonably clean, but there are only two toilets/sinks/showers for each sex provided on each floor (not really enough for the amount of guests there).
Common Spaces
There is a large cinema room for guests to watch films, which is a nice touch, however the rest of the common spaces are a disgrace. We took one look in the kitchen and decided we didn't want to risk storing food in there -- never mind actually cooking it! We had to throw away any refrigerated food we had. The smell from the fridge (the one small fridge provided for all guests) is awful and there is mould growing both on the bottom shelf and under the fridge itself.
There is a working oven, which has no door (the broken door is left on the kitchen floor) and a large majority of the other appliances are also broken. In addition to this, there is a sign saying to not open the cupboards under the worktops as the doors would fall off. Overall the kitchen is simply a health hazard and when this was brought to the attention of staff all they said was "we know."
The hostel also provides an area where guests can access the internet, however, there are only four computers (constantly in use) and the minimum amount of time you can buy to use them is two hours.
Summary
In summary, Base Brisbane Embassy is a hostel that is horribly let down by the common areas. The state of the kitchen (which is likely to make guests ill!) means that this hostel should be avoided like the plague and we would never visit again!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
October 2011
Their Description
Base Brisbane - Embassy Details
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Never Stay Here Please stay away from this place. The main issue is the kitchen, its absolutely horrible. The smell from the fridge (one small fridge provided for all guests!) also made me feel sick which suggests it hasn't been cleaned in the dates between the last review and this one. The appliances are also not working (one cooker still works but doesn't have a door) and there is a sign on the cupboards saying do not open them as the doors will fall off if you do! Disgusting!!! — Kirsty , England (2011-09-30) Stay away! Do not stay here. The rooms are like prison cells, the air con unit was filthy and made disturbing noises all through the night. The sheets did not smell clean. The blanket they give you -- do not use it!! I slept in my clothes for fear of catching something nasty. Bathrooms look fairly clean but overrun with roaches. Noise from the bar next door was horrendous for four nights a week -- don't expect any sleep. The icing on the cake was the kitchen ... absolutely disgusting. The smell from the fridge made me feel sick, i was scared to store my food in there. Many of the appliances and plug sockets in the kitchen did not work ... one day i found people making toast in the hallway. I left several days early to stay with friends after staying in this appalling place. Avoid like the plague. — Em , England (2011-07-05) Poor. Booked over the internet with fake advertising, this was advertised as a "hotel" yeah right. Far too expensive for a hostel as it cost $85 for a one night stay and was not worth this money. Room was very dirty and had a weird dusty smell, I was worried about going to sleep in such poor quality. Walls had leaking marks down it which made me hope it wasn't going to rain. Had air con in the room with no way to use it because they dont give you a control and the halls smelled like urine. Overall very disappointing, please reconsider before you book this place I beg you. — Amanda , Australia (2009-09-20) Bedbugs Nice bathrooms and great location. The problem is that it is crawling with bedbugs! We stayed for one week and had to change room and wash all our clothes twice! We also talked to several other guest that had to switch room because of bedbugs. They don't give any refunds, they only pay for the some of the washing if you get bedbugs. So even if the hostel is nice, it's not worth the risk. We won't be coming back here the next time we visit Brisbane, ruined our trip. — Anonymous (2009-03-17) we stayed at the palace embassy at the end of our travels in australia. It was by far the best of the hostel. Very clean, safe, friendly, and easy to find -- not far from train and bus station. — Paul and Mellissa , England (2007-04-17)