Lords Lodge Backpackers

Lords Lodge Backpackers is a short ways out of the downtown area, but easy to get to by public transport, and is also close to St. Kilda. Chapel Street is a couple of blocks away. It's an old house that's been converted, and it's funky and interesting. The stained glass is nice.

There's an outdoor room in the front yard, with pool tables and chairs. Mostly it seems to be a place for smokers to hang out. Inside there's a huge comoon room with a big TV and people seem to utilize that room quite a lot. Reception is on that floor as well, but it's not open all hours. Call ahead and let them know when you'll be coming in anad they'll arrange to meet you. The manager lives in a room next to reception and can be easily found when it's closed. Outside is another small house where the kitchen is located, as well as the internet room. They have a computer you can use for free, at least until about 11 p.m. when that house gets locked up. There are also some private "cabins" in the backyard, and a drink machine.

Upstairs are the majority of rooms and there are several bathrooms. We had requested a private room, which was already booked, but had a dorm room to ourselves instead. The room is large, has a TV and mirrors, a couch, and chair. The room, bathrooms, and hostel as a whole are clean, but a little on the funky side, meaning you probably wouldn't design your own house in this manner, but it's comfy and friendly enough.

The bathrooms are a little funkier than the rest of the place. The toilets are in individual rooms which are a bit small, but there are a few toilet/shower combo rooms that give you a bit more room to spread out. There are some separate shower rooms as well, with a dry area before the shower area. The boathrooms are open to all -- there are no boys/girls areas.

To get there, take tram No.3-5-6-16-64 from Swanston Street, downtown Melbourne, until stop 26 and walk up Moubray Strett.You can also take the Train from the city until Prahran Train Station and walk from Chapel St. Get a tourist map before you leave the city -- it will help you find the place, which is in a residential area.

There are hostels more convenient to the city, but it's not hard getting there by public transport (you do have to walk two or three blocks). Lords Lodge is reasonably priced, safe, and clean.

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