Name: Bad management
Item: Base Backpackers - St Kilda
Rating: 2
Author: Caroline

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Base Backpackers - St Kilda Reviews

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Bad management

I was excited about staying here in February 2011 because I had heard about all the great amenities they had to offer. Unfortunately, I didn't get to enjoy any of them. Within hours of arriving, a flood swept through St. Kilda, which covered the basement car park (where people had payed $10 per day to "keep their car safe"), common room and kitchen. The generator was also in the basement, so they turned off the power. The staff acted dumbfounded, but I know for a fact this has happened before. Handicapped guests had to be carried by strangers up the stairs to third floor rooms since management was of no help. When asked about rooms at other hostels, they said most were already booked. We stayed for two nights in that hell of no hot water, power, internet or warm breakfast. The bar was kept open, so drunk people ran up and down the hall. Not handled well at all, got a refund for the nights we left early.

Caroline

2011-08-02

USA

Base St Kilda has a friendly and lively atmosphere.

The Location

The hostel is situated by St Kilda Beach and not too far away from Fitzroy Street. So it is great for nightlife and those wanting to top up their suntan. However, it is a fair distance away from the CBD, which makes it a difficult place to stay for those wanting to find a job, although it is possible to find them in St Kilda.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The rooms are spacious and clean; the only problem is that the walls and ceiling aren't very soundproof, so it can be difficult to sleep peacefully. Each dorm has an en suite bathroom, which is clean, but causes potential problems in the larger rooms where waits for the shower can be very long.

Common Spaces

The kitchen is reasonable, perhaps a bit small; the fridge is quite cramped, but otherwise good. There is a TV room downstairs with a comfortable seating area. There is a nice outside seating area, but they close it at night. There is table tennis in the bar once a week, and there is a pool table. There are places to store luggage, but we're not sure whether it has a specific storage area. It is a very sociable hostel, largely due to the fact that it has a downstairs bar. However it does become very repetitive (especially Casey Dean live music). Overall, this is a fun party hostel, with not many, if any sketchy people.

Summary

Overall, this is a good hostel and a good short-term place to stay. Perhaps it's a bit expensive, the staff could be a bit friendlier, and the internet should really be cheaper. Other that, it is really good -- a four-star hostel, we'd say.

Thomas Clarke

2011-05-07

England

Great location, will definitely be back!

Stayed here February '09, great location in St Kilda just around the corner from the main hub of Acland St and very close to tram stops into the City. Rooms were comfortable enough and the ensuite bathroom had a great shower. Red Eye Bar was a bit rammed, but good atmosphere and you'll find a lot more young Aussies there for a drink compared to most hostel bars. Good facilities and friendly staff. Made heaps of friends just from the other folk in my room. I'll definitely use this hostel again.

Rachel

2009-02-22

It sold me on the benefits of backpacking!

I'd never been to Australia before or been backpacking, so I was a bit apprehensive when showing up to this hostel. My fears were immediately calmed because this turned out to be the best traveling experience I've ever had. I stayed in The Sanctuary (the girls' only floor) and it was clean, hospitable, and felt like a home away from home. The sheets were clean, the shower had good pressure, and the rooms were cleaned regularly. St. Kilda is definitely the cultural heart of Melbourne and the hostel is right next to Acland Street, which has tons of cute shops and cafes. Fitzroy is also very close, which is full of all types of good eats. There's a tram right outside that takes you into the heart of Melbourne. Stay at this place and you'll not only experience this beautiful city, but make wonderful friends.

2007-10-28

Canada

One of the best

St Kilda is good craic but we spent more nights in base than in the town or the city. we got to know so many people and just sat drinking every night! some craic, ended up having our own bbq every friday in a nearby park -- about thirty of us every week, all of whom stayed in Base!

Nixon (Balymena)

2007-10-19

Northern Ireland

Melbourne Base is a great introduction to city backpacking. The team are super friendly and helpful, the location is awesome with loads of amazing live music just on your doorstep whether in the bar downstairs or just round the corner on acland or esplenade and a tram stop right outside the door. Respect the Base and it will respect you =)

Andy

2007-04-08

English

Base Backpackers was not really a business when i stayed there -- it was simply a middle-aged man living in melbourne, renting out a massive hostel-complex in the heart of St. Kilda, with a large collection of reception, bar, and maintenance staff. I lived in the hostel on and off for three months and got to know everyone pretty well. There is a good nightlife at the bar, with offers like cheap drinks on thursdays and free booze for girls once a week. The atmosphere throughout the hostel however is cold, and i'd recommend it as a reasonably comfortable sleep in an expensive hostel with too much space on its hands -- basically, don't stay for over a week. The residential building opposite Base is also a transvestite whorehouse -- i know because we rented a flat there without knowing. (we were unlucky with the places we stayed). overall, i enjoyed my stay, although there were some lads who were extremely racist to my friend, and the staff did nothing about it.

Will Nolan

2007-03-07

Base is a great hostel. Being female and travelling alone I found the security in the Sanctary to be great (no boys allowed!), you also get FREE champagne on a Thursday night, yeah it tastes like vinegar unless you mix it with raspberry but its free!

The staff are nice and even let me hand out flyers on Acland Street in exchange for a jug of bourbon, great!

Love the lounge feel to the place and the live fish in the floor that you walk over, very cool.

Although Base is a bit more expensive I think its worth it.

Stay here in you enjoy living in a filth-free hostel that is central to everything, even a theme park!!

Chippie

2006-08-26

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Base Backpackers - St Kilda Reviews from the Web

Honestly this was my first ever hostel stay and I really enjoyed it ! Props to base st kilda.

The area was a bit methy but that's got nothing to do with base

a408j0EGUPH0ucki

2022-08-05

Had such a deadly stay in Base St Kilda!

The staff are genuine legends- so welcoming and helpful. The bar was buzzing and the room and bathrooms were super clean and comfortable.

Thanks guys, cant wait to visit again.

Stay groovy

heathershanahan975111

2022-07-30

great atmosphere, and location; easy to get tram access into the city. lovely staff, cheers everybodyyyyyy!!!!

lucyarmitage13015791

2022-07-29

Woweee st kilda has been UNREAL to say the least. Very accomodating staff Ive had a blast and will definitely be back xxx

CHEERS EVERYBODY

mimacaff1995

2022-07-23

Very good hostel, staff were friendly and very sociable, great location and lots of fun events to do at night

leeritchie019354

2022-07-22

Best hostel, will definitely be back!

zoehormovas

2022-07-16

As soon as I entered the door I was greeted with warm smiles and friendly faces and instantly was made to feel right at home. Isaac checked me in who not only made sure I knew where everything was and what events the hostel had coming up, but also informed me of all the admin I would need to complete (as I was new to the country) and offered to help if I needed it! Great place to stay for socialising in the evenings and a homey chill feel during the day.

tassyheslop6707

2022-07-02

We stayed in the 4-bedder with ensuite bathroom. I felt this place was filthy from the get go. The floors were carpeted which means its not being cleaned. The hallways stink - not sure from what. Room lockers were dusty and not cleaned. Toilets were bare minimum. Felt like it should be better equipped.

Kitchen was alright though felt like there should be more chilling area other than the bar + underground space.

Love the vibes in the bar though.

pearlynchenghuijun3506

2022-06-25

This is the best hostel in Melbourne no doubt! Isaac the guy that works here and all the staff are sick and also helped me bag a job woo wooo!

lucyhobden7915

2022-06-20

The shower was extremely mouldy. It looked like black mould, all over the tiles in the shower.

ashleighsdennis8745

2022-06-19

It has such an amazing social vibe with lovely staff. Isaac specially was so helpful and welcoming. I couldnt recommend this place more!!

alicerose02918

2022-06-13

My room was really dirty since I arrived and than I went to the reception ask if someone usually clean the rooms. He said yes everyday. next day the room still dirty with banana peels on the floor and a lot of rubbish. I went back to the reception and the person there was really rude.

cesarlm84539

2022-06-09

This place was a little further outside of the city than was advertised, though it is in a pretty cool neighborhood. Our room and bathroom specifically were really filthy (like chunks of hair and dirt everywhere) when we got there, and the wifi was out for our entire 5 day stay which was honestly super inconvenient :/ Other than that the hostel is pretty lively.

trynbrown5028

2022-06-04

Great environment! Met great people and the staff like Isaac was super nice! Thanks

samoune47779

2022-06-02

Great hostel, really enjoyed my time there and everybody was super friendly and welcoming. Lots of great activities to do! The Staff were incredibly helpful, in particular Isaac who was very accommodating.

connor_fryer8599

2022-05-29

Great hostel, very social, not quiet! But great fun.

fergkirkman146

2022-05-25

Absolutely loved my time here!

tuckeraj7236

2022-05-24

Very friendly and cool staff. Helpful with all needs even looking for jobs. Only down side is almost every time going into the kitchen their were cockroaches on the counters and walls. Not a lot but noticeable while in the kitchen.

Sancheeze34

2022-05-24

Great atmosphere, and activities made it really easy to meet people. Was the first place I went to when I landed in Aus and Im so glad I chose here! Made some great friends. Isaac and Noam on the front desk were super helpful. Also great travel desk to plan how to do my east coast trip. Only issue was cleanliness - bathrooms in particular were dirty and never mopped. The kitchen too needed some love and attention. Will definitely come back if Im Melbourne again though:)

janeavery111363

2022-05-21

Great atmosphere especially boozy bingo on Mondays, good laundry facilities and double room with en-suite was pleasant and pretty clean.

Kitchen/ downstairs communal area was spacious but very unclean and spotted a few cockroaches. Cutlery/ plates were always dirty.

alannamiller9783

2022-05-16

Description

Cleanliness:
 We are committed to being the cleanest hostel in Melbourne
 Our housekeeping team are permanent and professional staff who care about what they do
 All dorms and ensuite bathrooms are cleaned daily
 Reception is staffed 24 hours per day
 All rooms have security card access keys
 All beds have their own lockable luggage locker and safe's are available to hire
 Exclusive to Base is ‘The Sanctuary' – an innovative & luxurious ‘girls only' floor with high quality facilities, safety and home comforts - hairdryers, towels, shampoo etc.

Fun:
 Our staff are young, helpful and friendly, as well as knowledgeable on what to do in and around Melbourne
 We make it easy to meet other cool travelers, with small dorm sizes, a selection of chill out areas, and a variety of group activities on offer
 The Red Eye Bar is Melbourne's No 1 backpackers bar, with great interactive entertainment and drink specials every night
 Some of our great entertainment nights include Comedy Night every Tuesday - with some of Melbourne's top comedians appearing for free, or Base Idol Karaoke on Thursdays - with free champagne for the ladies

Convenience:
 We have all the facilities you need – an internet café, full travel desk, a great bar, laundry, public phones and more
 It is less than a 5 minute walk to the supermarkets, convenience stores, banks and the post office
 Trams to the city and beyond leave from right outside our door
 FREE TRANSFERS from the airport are available for guests staying 3 nights or more

Other Facilities:
Car Parking Available
Internet Access
Laundry
Wheelchair Friendly
Linen Included
Credit Cards Accepted
Bar
Towels
Security Lockers/ Safes
Luggage Storage
Guest Kitchen
Telephone/Fax Facilities
24 Hour Reception
Travel Desk/Travel Info
Key Card Access
Common Room
No Curfew / Lockout
Elevator
Bike Parking
No Smoking
Taxes included in price
Breakfast Not Included

Location and Contact

Location

• Location
•  Base is situated in the heart of St Kilda, yet we are only 15 minutes by tram from Melbourne city centre
•  We are minutes walk from famous Ackland and Fitzroy St's, which are jam packed with cafes, bars and boutiques
•  St Kilda Beach is a 5 minute walk away – a great place to chill out or get active with swimming, kite boarding, rollerblading and much more

Map

Address: 17 Carlisle Street, Melbourne - St Kilda VIC, St. Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Base Backpackers - St Kilda is listed on the following booking sites:

Hostelworld Booking.com HostelsClub

Base Backpackers - St Kilda is part of the hostel chain Base Backpackers

Find all Base Backpackers here

Website

www.stayatbase.com

Phone Number: +64 +61 (3) 8598-6200

To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Correction Form.

Facilities and Amenities

Party Hostel

Solo Traveller

Bedsheets

Breakfast

Luggage Storage

Airport Pickup

Bike Rental

City Tours

Lockers in Lobby

Parking

Towels

Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons

24 Hour Security

ATM

Air Conditioning

Bar

Book Collection/Exchange

Clothes Dryer

Concierge/Info Desk

Credit Card Payments

Elevator/Lift

Entirely Non-Smoking

Evening Entertainment

Gameroom

Hot Showers

Karaoke

Kitchen

Laundry

Live Music/Performance

Lounge Area

Movie Library/Rental

Nightclub

Pool Table

Table Tennis

Walking Tours

Wheelchair Accessible

Service Animals

Checkout: 10:00 (10 AM)

Curfew: No Curfew

Lockout: No

Maximum Stay: Unlimited

Minimum Stay: 1 night

Open Dates: All Year

Reception Hours: 24 Hours

Size: Very Large (100+ beds)

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Base Backpackers - St Kilda, Melbourne

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