Belmore Place

I stayed here for a week in September 2002 and found it to be OK. Yes the pics I saw online were not to be believed and the rooms were packed with bunks, but it was a friendly and laid-back place and a good base for our first week of a year in Oz. We later moved to a room in a shared house also owned by Ben, the hostel owner, and despite having stuff nicked from our room once or twice we always managed to get Ben round to sort it out (though we were very good mates with the Brit backpacker who was running the Belmore Place hostel at the time so he looked after us). I can't say what the hostel is like now, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's as bad as the other reviewer makes out - Mr Strachan always seemed to have one eye on the money rather than the safety and security of his guests!

AWFUL, never stay here! We had to live in the GARAGE, as they had no more beds. This of course is illegal. I checked with Sydney council and MR. STRACHAN had no license to run a hostel of any description, and as a result they were in the process of suing him! The photos are not to be believed. He has taken out the nice single beds and replaced them with about six to eight bunks. This place is packed to the rafters, not pleasant! We had trouble getting our key deposit/bond back as the contract wasn't worth the paper it was written on. He clearly hadn't gotten it drawn up by a solicitor. Things MAY have changed after Ben's numerous visits from the council officials trying to close him down (non-compliance with fire regulations, etc.). He was never there when they called, handily enough! HOWEVER, this place is dodgy. Beware!