City Backpackers HQ

The common spaces made it easy to relax or get to know people, and the hostel had all the amenities I needed. It was spotless and stylish, with friendly staff who were happy to help. Allison at reception was especially understanding and helpful with my needs. I loved staying here and would absolutely come back. Highly recommend 🫶🌟

The staff were lovely and helpful, and having towels in the room was a nice touch. Our room was fine and stayed comfortable even though we couldn’t control its air conditioning. It’s also convenient for Roma Street station and nearby areas. For a short stay, the hostel was acceptable, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a longer one. It wasn’t the worst place we stayed in Australia, though it came close. Our room may have been unlucky: a machine of some kind sat outside the door and ran constantly throughout our stay. At first we thought it was a large washing machine. There was also a lot of noise from the bathroom opposite. People shouted and ran along the halls well past midnight, as if quiet hours weren’t respected. The kitchen was often a mess by the end of the night, with guests leaving their things for others to clean. It also felt like quite a lot of people were living there, which affected the atmosphere.

Chu, one of the Korean staff members, was so kind, helpful, and always smiling. From the moment I arrived, they helped me feel at ease and were happy to assist with anything I needed. That warm support made the stay even better. The hostel was friendly and relaxed, so it was easy to meet people. The rooms and common areas were always clean, and the location made getting around easy, close to the city. I had a really great stay, would definitely recommend it, and would love to come back.

Some staff have made a real difference. Jade, Pascaline, and Armando listen to residents, help mediate disputes, and raise issues when needed. They act professionally and advocate for residents’ safety in difficult circumstances, and many of us living here appreciate their efforts. I’ve lived at this hostel for several months, and anyone thinking of staying long term, especially students or visa holders, should understand what it can be like. The property has two buildings, one for short-term travellers and backpackers, and another for students and long-term residents. With Brisbane’s tight rental market, some of us rely on the student building as long-term housing. At first the arrangement seems convenient, but concerns have built up over time. Residents have described feeling uncomfortable with the manager’s behaviour, particularly toward young women. Even if some interactions are consensual, there’s a clear power imbalance. Several residents say the manager entered women’s dorms without knocking. Housekeeping staff immediately correct the same issue when asked, which shows the request is reasonable. There’s also a recurring perception that people the manager is personally interested in get preferential treatment, such as access to rooms or work-for-accommodation opportunities. Rules don’t seem to be applied consistently. Indoor vaping and substance use sometimes go unaddressed, while other residents are warned straight away. Some reception decisions appear influenced by personal relationships rather than policy. Fights, intoxication, nudity, and other inappropriate behaviour are sometimes ignored depending on who’s involved. Residents who raise concerns or try to enforce rules may be moved to less desirable shifts or have their hours cut, which discourages accountability. Cleanliness and repairs are persistent problems. Many cleaning staff are unpaid or work in exchange for accommodation and do their best, but management priorities often seem to lie elsewhere. Urgent problems can be treated as secondary, and repairs may be superficial. Fire alarms often go off for no apparent reason; ceilings have collapsed in shared bathrooms; showers are sometimes unusable; fridges leak constantly; and towels on the floor are a common temporary fix. WiFi can be out for weeks, and requests to repair it are often dismissed. More recently, all the couches were removed from the common areas, leaving residents with fewer places to relax or socialise after long days. The hostel could run much better if management focused on residents’ experience and daily operations. Anyone considering a stay should know about these dynamics and make an informed choice.