Australian Backpackers

Worst place i have stayed in all my time traveling. the place was nothing like what it looks like on the website and is a class A sh*t tip! sinks and toilets looked like they hadnt been cleaned in months and most of the windows in the rooms didnt have any curtains. Unfortunately had to stay here for two nights but i strongly recommend everyone not to ever stay here. Manager was never there and i think most of the staff were illegal immigrants. Oh and no one was at reception when we had to leave at 9 a.m., so we didnt get our key deposit back. Classy place. please for the love of god, shut it down or just tip off health and safety about it. Not fit for bedbugs to live in.

amazing times i had here. this is the hostel that i started my trip in and i must say, it was probably the best. no it is not clean, yes the staff is very laidback and therefor you might experience a little chaos. but who the f**ck books a hostel a few months before actually going there anyway? this is the true backpackers experience, with bugs, crazy people popping pills everywhere you look, and good parties all year through on the rooftop, drug addicts becoming your best friends. i have never in my life met as much people in such a short time. and that is what you want if you arrive in sydney for the first time, all by yourself. and the staff will help you with whatever you need, just have a sense of humor and take it all in.

If crack dens and whore houses are your thing then this is the place for you. I booked back in May, paid for in August, for accommodation over New Year only to turn up on 30th December and be told that they had double booked my room and as a result my reservation had been canceled! I was offered alternative accommodation next door to the hostel, sharing with a meth addict who had seen better days and was eyeing up my luggage. The staff made absolutely no attempt to contact the manager (who mysteriously had a mobile turned off when I managed to get them to call an hour later), and as a result I was left over $900 out of pocket by the time I finally got some accommodation sorted. The place is an absolute joke, stay well away!

I have to say that this place offers the worst customer service I have ever experienced in my entire life. The guy running the place made Basil Fawlty look like Hotel Manager of the Year! Myself and my girlfriend booked this hostel back in March and were asked in August to pay upfront for our stay (thank god we did not!). When I phoned in October to confirm our booking I was told the prices had gone up by 10%! Arrived in Sydney to be told by the manager that we would have to walk to the hostel as the courtesy bus was not available. When we eventually arrived we were told that we were in a dorm, I said no in a double, to which he just laughed and said in a dorm! He couldn't remember our phone conversation or the email I had sent him and didn't seem to be bothered in the slightest. When I complained all he kept saying was that they were doing their best and would constantly blame the previous management for everything! The place was dirty and by the brief view I got of the kitchen, I wouldn't want my dog to eat in it! Didn't get to look at the bedrooms as fortunately found somewhere else to stay. I think I would have rather have slept in the park than stay there. Also don't be fooled by the website as it bears no resemblance to the place whatsoever! I have only given the place one star as unfortunately zero Star -- Awful is not listed!

Do not stay in this hostel. This was by far the worst hostel I stayed in during my trip around the world. I was only attracted to this place because they offered free airport pick up, but what they actually do is refund your taxi fare if you can bear to stay there for two nights. When I arrived, there were signs on the walls saying please move your stuff because pest control are coming! Do you need any more proof that the place is filthy and infested with bugs?! The bathrooms were absolutely disgusting with overflowing bins. It's noisy with drunk people shouting in the corridors and running up and down the stairs all night. There is a kitchen but hardly any crockery or cutlery. There are also groups of homeless people sleeping under the bridge at the bottom of the street -- not the nicest area. Do not be fooled by the Lonely Planet recommendation -- this place is a health hazard! There are plenty of decent hostels just around the corner in Kings Cross. After one night here I moved to somewhere else, which was clean and friendly with large dorms. Be warned!

Just wanted to get the message out there for people that this hostel in not recommended. I am flying into Sydney at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning and called them to arrange a pick up from the airport as I had booked ten days accommodation for two people and guess what the guy said?? 'Sorry we are closed for renovationss until mid-next week.' No mention of this when I had booked my accommodation and given my credit card details and when I had received confirmation. This is truly bad form as I now have not even twenty-four hours to find a new place for me and my mate. And I am at work. So no time at all really. The guy offered no apology when I mentioned all of this and had a really bad attitude. He didnt give a t***. Right on for you customer service skills mate!

Stayed in this place from Sept 2005 till Jan 2006. There is a new manager since February -- it's cleaner and stuff. But when I was there I had a wicked time! There was a pick up, always clean sheets (closet downstairs). Daily drives to Bondi if the weather is good. Free surfboards, I had work all the time if I wanted. There is a nice rooftop, always people to party, and I met a lot of cool people there!

I was here in Nov/Dec 1997 when it was Toko Joes. The place was ran by a Londoner called John. It was as you expected for $18 a night but it was a great party place there was a kitchen where you cooked your own food etc and all the local ammenites within crawling distance. Yes its in area not so appealing at night but hey theres a Ferrari Showroom to brighten it up. Get up on the roof of Joes at Night and look at the beautiful Sydney Harbour. So remeber it may not be very clean, it may not be in a sort after area, it may be basic. But who the hell cares, your backpacking in Australia and in one of the greatest cities in the world.

I got free pick up and drop off, and sheets on my bed. Yeah, I had to make the bed but the sheets were clean. The TV did not work in the room but who cares about that, there is a social lounge upstairs. There were some sleazy guys there, adds to the humor, but generally I found it a fun and friendly atmosphere. Heavy beer drinking, people up for fun and games, awesome sh*t, what's wrong with having fun while on holiday? I got a ride to Bondi and back with a surfboard as well, which was great. Although I had to pay to get into the World Bar. Bugger! I didn't know we could get free entry. There are some cool people staying and it seems like a huge family. Good laughs. Also, Chris is cute....if you ever come to New Zealand....?

I stayed here from Nov. 2003 till Oct. 2004. This is the greatest place in the world. It's a total party hostel, so more conservative types should probably go elsewhere. And Nick the manager is a frothing legend.

This hostel doesn't even deserve one star. Whatever anybody says it is a hole. If you like prostitutes at your doorstep, dog wee and poo on the carpets in the hallway, an owner who likes to take all your money and who is a liar, no fan in your room, stains on the sheets, and a constant stale smell, then this is the place for you. The only place that seemed clean enough were the toilets and shower, believe it or not, but I would strongly advise you to wear something on you feet at all times, even in the shower. There was only one bonus of my stay— this place is 20 yards from the Ferrari garage (nice cars).

This place is a s**thole. I now know what conditions were like in the 19th century!

Okay, so the hostel is NOT clean, but the place can be sociable. I stayed here for three months. It is also in a good location. If you do stay here ask to stay in Room 21 (or any of the rooms at the back, as these rooms are bigger - although you will have tramps as your neighbors).

I stayed in this hostel for seven months. During this time I was never without clean sheets and found the owners and staff to be some of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. If you are visiting Australia and want to stay in a friendly, clean and hospitable environment then this is the place for you. Check this place out — it has to be one of the best places to stay in the world.

I have stayed in some bad places, but this has to top the list. NOT RECOMMENDED!