Exford Hotel Backpackers

If quaint old heritage buildings are your thing and staying in the dead centre of the city is essential, the Exford Hotel Backpackers is the place for you. Ornate on the outside and inside --- think embossed patterned walls, tall windows, and high ceilings -- it's a fun place to daydream back to 1854, when the hotel was built, while enjoying the charms of central Melbourne.

The Location

The Exford gets top points for location. Occupying the corner of Russell and Little Bourke Streets in Melbourne's CBD, rooms sit above the bustling scene of Chinatown. The hostel shares its Russell Street entrance with the pub downstairs, reached via a secure keycard lock. It's close to all of the CBD landmarks -- Queen Elizabeth Market, Federation Square, and Melbourne Central are all an easy ten- to fifteen-minute stroll away, not to mention the countless restaurants, bars, and shopping in the area.

The Exford is closest to Parliament train station on Spring Street (about ten minutes' walk), otherwise catch a #86 or #96 tram on Bourke Street to get to the main bus/train hub of Southern Cross Station on Spencer Street. Also a short walk away is the City Circle tram, an entirely free way to get around the city. While public parking is available via meter or parking lot, be prepared to pay a lot for it. The hotel itself does not have its own designated parking spots.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The dorm rooms are a bit aged but clean and come with the basics -- beds, table, chairs. Small lockers are provided for each guest in the room. Large windows provide plenty of light and views to the streets below, but can also let the in cold during winter as well as the street noise. Hardwood floors maintain the old charm but the locks have been modernized with secure keycard locks. As it's an old building, electrical outlets are few, so be prepared to take turns charging mobile phones. If you're concerned about privacy, the Exford offers two-bed dorm rooms -- fantastic if you're traveling as a pair of friends or a couple who doesn't mind a bunk bed. Larger four-, six-, and eight-bed dorms are also on offer.

The bathrooms are newly renovated and very clean, with the toilets in one keycard-accessible room, and the showers in their own rooms, also accessed by keycards. The toilet areas are tiny and there isn't much room to move (or to avoid getting hit by a door) while using the sink. The showers are much roomier, have excellent water pressure, and come with a sink in each stall. The keycard system seems a bit unnecessary for the bathrooms, and can be annoying in the middle of the night when you are forced to hunt for the magic plastic card in the dark.

Common Spaces

The Exford's kitchen leaves a bit to be desired. A dreary basement space which can sometimes get very crowded, guests cook to the tune of loud fans while watching shadowy feet pass by the windows to the street above. Happily, there are multiple stovetops and a great selection of utensils to make a quick pot of pasta. There's plenty of room for food storage in the walk-in refrigerator, and each guest gets a roomy locker for food and dishes. There are long tables, although it's not the kind of atmosphere in which to enjoy a leisurely dinner. But with all the money saved on accommodation, why not splurge a bit and find some cheap eats at one of the many nearby restaurants?

Outside the kitchen is a comfy basement lounge equipped with a giant TV with FoxTel and several slouchy couches good for having a beer, reading a book, or chatting with other guests. The vibe is friendly and laid-back in the lounge, but the real social draw at the Exford is the pub on the main floor. Stained-glass windows, polished wood, and embossed metal ceilings maintain the old-pub feel, and the lively atmosphere and drink specials will keep you drinking there all night. Luckily, it's only a short stumble up a few flights of stairs to bed.

Summary

If you're looking for a fun atmosphere with an excellent location, the Exford is a great place to stay. If you desire hospital-grade cleanliness, it may be a little too "granny's attic" for you, but heritage lovers will delight in staying in a little piece of Melbourne's history.

— Avis exclusif de Hostelz.com
June 2009