Chapel Street Backpackers

Bad (but clean)
this hostel is very clean, one of the cleanest i've stayed in, but the staff completely ruin the whole experience. They talk about guests to other guests, they treat the place as if they own it (not like it's just their job, quite sad really). I also noticed the racism towards other guests. They call us english "poms" as a derogatory term, it never bothered me but they used it as a putdown. Overall, i wouldnt recommend staying at this hostel, clean, but the cons outweigh the pros. Oh, also, no internet, even though it says they have access on their site!

Clean but ruined by unprofessional staff
good clean hostel, but the racist, unprofessional staff let it down. if you're not australian expect snide comments from the staff. marlene and her daughter also bitch about guests to other guests which is completely unacceptable. we were rudely awakened by an aggressive marlene for an untidy room (it was our clothes we'd worn the night before!), she then went back to reception and bitched to anyone that walked past about us and called us sad for drinking in our room! It's a hostel! also, regarding the kitchen which closes at 10 p.m. -- i could have sworn we must have been in constantly moving time zones as the kitchen seemed to shut earlier and earlier everyday. overall the hostel is very clean, but the unprofessional staff completely ruin it. i wouldnt stay there again and wouldnt recommend it.

Best place, staff, location, can't recommend enough
If you're looking for clean and tidy and a lovely homey setting in a fantastic location, this is the backpackers for you. Marlene and Mitch who manage the place make you feel so at home and were like family. I stayed there with some friends from January to April this year and hope to go back soon!

with so many backpackers around Melbourne there is no good reason to pick this one! There's no internet and no laundry facilities. in some of the room you cant sleep because its right opposite to the rail. They lock the kitchen at 10 p.m. and some of the staff are just not nice, and have no respect for their guests.

I stayed here for seven months in 1998-1999, room 102, the room with no view. Marlene was like a mum to us. Kirsty was there and also Hayley. There were four of us who stayed in that room for 6-7 months travelling separately. We met at the hostel and became roommates. I made lots of friends and the staff were excellent. The place is clean and tidy. I would go back again, and possibly will do so next July. See you guys.

I have stayed at this backpackers three times, once in 2000, 2002 and 2004, and each time it has been spotlessly clean. The staff are so friendly and helpful — they are all wicked. It's right opposite the train station, and in a really cool area, on Chapel Street! Marlene and her daughter are lovely — tell them we sent you!

I've now travelled Asutralia for 5 months and this is the cleanest hostel I've stayed at. Great staff too!