Base Camp Hostel

Sleep was the biggest problem for me. Whenever someone came into the room, my bed shifted and I woke up, and people came in late at night several times, even during the week. Breakfast was really bad, although dinner ranged from okay to quite good. Agoda can get you a decent price in Adelaide, and the room and bathroom were generally clean and tidy. The young woman at reception was friendly, but the older man could be very unfriendly to me and other travelers. Some of the older long-term residents were kind to me, though I saw others treated disrespectfully. The other hostels apparently don’t have a better reputation, so I’d say try to find a shared house in Adelaide as soon as you can.

I felt safe, and the common areas were clean and tidy. It’s also well located, with public transport nearby. The other guests were typical backpackers, mostly speaking their own languages, and I found it a bit lonely. Staff at the desk seemed bothered whenever I asked something. On my first day they gave me a room code but didn’t explain where the room was or how to use the keypad. The rooms are fairly large, though backpacks and clothes everywhere made them easy to trip over. Sharing toilets with the showers was annoying. It was an okay stay for the price, but next time I might pay extra for a motel. I haven’t stayed in an Australian hostel for 20 years, so I can’t really compare.

The location is handy for central Adelaide and the market, and breakfast and dinner are included, which is useful for basic meals. Reception staff were welcoming and tried to help, but the place had an odd atmosphere. Most guests seemed to be long-term residents, which made us backpackers feel unwelcome, and the kitchen was so full of their groceries that newcomers had nowhere to put food. The dorm rooms are tiny, and sharing with ten people felt claustrophobic. There’s a little ensuite, but our long-term roommates slept at all hours, so we didn’t feel we could use it. The shared bathrooms were very dirty, and two bathrooms aren’t enough for a hostel this size. It looks modern and nice from outside, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable staying here alone.

I’d stay again if I had to, though it wouldn’t be my first pick. For the price it’s hard to beat, and a simple breakfast and dinner are included if you want them. I only tried breakfast. Self check-in was troublesome because my access code didn’t work. Staff fixed it, but I kept having problems on my way back, and they weren’t always around. Some people in my room watched things on their phones without headphones, despite the rules. That’s a personal annoyance, but it can happen in hostels. I made the best of it; generally, the place was good.