The Hostelz.com Review
Rooftop Travellers Lodge has a lot going for it -- it is no wonder that it always seems to be nearly full despite not being in the city centre. The hostel caters well to both short-term travelers and long-term live-ins.
The Location
The hostel is based in the lovely and friendly neighbourhood of Glebe, home to many coffee shops, bookstores, eateries, and the odd markets. There is also a mall about ten minutes' walk away as well as a park for outdoor pursuits. It is about a thirty-minute walk from the city centre but it is doable as it is largely flat. You can otherwise catch a bus. The hostel is easy to find, especially with its external signage, and that it is on the main road used by main bus routes and well known to taxi drivers.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are largely of a fixed nature, with two bunk beds and a curtain in the middle of the room for privacy. The rooms also come fully equipped with their own internet access via a desktop for free as well as a TV. The rooms are also ensuite and come complete with their own fridges and cutlery. There are cupboards and wardrobes for storage as well as a sink and kettle. A portable air conditioning unit is in the room to ease that hot, sticky Sydney air. You can phone out with the phones that are available in each room. The rooms and building in general is also safe given the swipe cards needed to enter the rooms. There is also an external bathroom on the rooftop terrace.
Common Spaces
There is a rarely-used common room in the basement with a TV that is never on. The main action takes place on the terrace, which has a large indoor kitchen with designated cupboards full of equipment for each room. There is lots of seating outside and in, including a large BBQ area with a lovely view of Sydney centre. The only downside to the kitchen is that it is locked from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. and one morning, we went to the kitchen at 8:30 a.m., but it was still closed. There is a book exchange in the reception. This is the place to book your tours and ask for information (it's all readily available). Parking is available for free as is laundry as long as you provide your own detergent.
Summary
In summary, this hostel is a good all-around choice no matter how you look at it. Given the design of the building, you can be as private or a social as you want to be. The hostel also stands out for added little extras like the allowance of letting one securely store their luggage for free on early check-in or late check-out.
The Location
The hostel is based in the lovely and friendly neighbourhood of Glebe, home to many coffee shops, bookstores, eateries, and the odd markets. There is also a mall about ten minutes' walk away as well as a park for outdoor pursuits. It is about a thirty-minute walk from the city centre but it is doable as it is largely flat. You can otherwise catch a bus. The hostel is easy to find, especially with its external signage, and that it is on the main road used by main bus routes and well known to taxi drivers.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The rooms are largely of a fixed nature, with two bunk beds and a curtain in the middle of the room for privacy. The rooms also come fully equipped with their own internet access via a desktop for free as well as a TV. The rooms are also ensuite and come complete with their own fridges and cutlery. There are cupboards and wardrobes for storage as well as a sink and kettle. A portable air conditioning unit is in the room to ease that hot, sticky Sydney air. You can phone out with the phones that are available in each room. The rooms and building in general is also safe given the swipe cards needed to enter the rooms. There is also an external bathroom on the rooftop terrace.
Common Spaces
There is a rarely-used common room in the basement with a TV that is never on. The main action takes place on the terrace, which has a large indoor kitchen with designated cupboards full of equipment for each room. There is lots of seating outside and in, including a large BBQ area with a lovely view of Sydney centre. The only downside to the kitchen is that it is locked from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m. and one morning, we went to the kitchen at 8:30 a.m., but it was still closed. There is a book exchange in the reception. This is the place to book your tours and ask for information (it's all readily available). Parking is available for free as is laundry as long as you provide your own detergent.
Summary
In summary, this hostel is a good all-around choice no matter how you look at it. Given the design of the building, you can be as private or a social as you want to be. The hostel also stands out for added little extras like the allowance of letting one securely store their luggage for free on early check-in or late check-out.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
February 2011
Their Description
Rooftop Travellers Lodge Details
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Rooftop Travellers Lodge Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Worst Backpacker Accommodation This place is dirty and not clean at all like it shows on their website. Rooms are filthy dirty and so is the laundry. We booked in for 5 nights and they took our payment straight away. We arrived at the Hostel and found our room was not ready, we waited and came back and only lasted 2 hrs at the hostel. Was told we were going to be given a refund but we never have received it at all. This hostel is in an old building in Glebe and should be condemned. Not fit for anyone to live in. — Margaret , Australia (2010-01-05) Best stay in Sydney Stayed there for three months from April 2007. Very sociable, staff were ever so friendly. They will try to meet your needs if you tell them what you want. Ideal for the working traveler who wants to relax during the week after work and have fun at the weekend! Also good take outs right out the door. 5 dollar thai! Always good for the person who cant be bothered to cook. — Jill , Scottish (2007-08-09) Worst Stay of my Life Not only are the pictures and information related to the Rooftop Lodge false, it was much worse than could be imagined. There was mold infesting the entire room and bathroom and their way of fixing the problem was to paint over it. Also we had an incident of bed bugs which as anyone can imagine was the worst possible experience ever. On top of that I have been sick for the past three weeks since I left the lodge due to the awful state the facility was in. You will be upset if you stay there and I would avoid this place at all costs. — Jessica Bohner , United States (2007-07-27) Was there July 2006. The best hostel I've ever stayed in. Recently converted from a motel -- the fixtures, fittings, and facilities looked brand new and were excellent. Was very clean and the staff were friendly and talkative. TV/DVD/Computer with Internet in the rooms (four-person dorm rooms anyway), free laundry and dryers -- you don't get much better and at what a price. — Mark (2006-12-11)