My Place & Adelaide Backpackers Hostel

The location is handy, just a short walk to the good part of town and close to airport transit, J1 and J1X. It's a good, very clean hostel, and the beds are fine. There are only two bathrooms, which could be a struggle, but even when it was completely booked up I never saw a queue for the showers. The rooms have skylights, but no windows to let air in.

The place was clean and comfortable, and the owner and his son made us feel at home. My best friend and I really enjoyed our few days at My Place. They were very helpful and gave us good advice for our next adventures in South Australia!

The room felt like a jail, with no windows, and cost much more than it was worth. The owner, David, was untrustworthy. My friend and I were told there was a job in Adelaide hills, but that we had to stay at this hostel to get it. We contacted him, and he slyly promised we could start work after checking in. When we arrived that afternoon and agreed to stay, he wouldn't give us the job details or explain how to apply until the next morning. By then he said there was no vacancy. When we decided to leave, he offered another job to keep us there. We looked into it and found no way to get to the workplace, but he insisted there was a bus. How naive we were! Before the induction day, he said we couldn't reach the workplace unless we rented his broken, extremely dirty van for $50 a day. He keeps saying he helps us find jobs, but blames us for being unable to take them. What kind of help is that? We wouldn't even have stayed at the hostel if he hadn't lied about the job at the start. All his help seemed aimed at keeping us there a few more days so he could make money from us. Worse, he asked me to clean rusty wheels and promised to pay me $10 per wheel. I did it, but he refused to pay. SHAME ON YOU, David! You shouldn't scam backpackers. BE CAREFUL of this hostel and its owner.

The owner is almost absurdly helpful, especially with cars. We actually bought one from him, and he walked me through the rego process, even meeting me at the rego office to get the paperwork done. Thanks Dave! It's a wonderful little spot in the middle of the city, small but with plenty of space for guests, and everything is well kept and very clean. Reception hours are limited, as other reviewers have said, so call ahead if you'll be arriving outside them and see if someone can be available. From what I saw, they stuck pretty well to the posted hours when Dave or his son weren't away helping guests. One time his son was literally under a car doing repairs for a guest. It's a small, personal and friendly operation, and I'm happy to trade that for reception not being open 24/7.