Palm Hamilton BackPackers

I’m furious. I booked a week ahead, contacted them to ask about checking in early, then drove 12 hours only to hear from a volunteer, who was lovely, that the owner Sam said only guests staying a week or more could check in. I’d booked for three days. With so little notice, I had nowhere else to stay, and his incompetence cost me a very high-paying job. Don’t waste your time or money here. Disgusting.

The hostel is convenient and well located for getting to the centre of Brisane, but the place itself was disappointing. Our flight was badly delayed, and we reached Brisbane after 11 pm. I texted to say we’d spend the night at the airport so we wouldn’t inconvenience them. The next day, the guy was unhappy and said, “he waited for us all night.” We still had to pay for that night, even though we’d told them about the delay, and no one had told me we could still come to the hostel. There’s a serious communication problem among the staff, and guests feel the effects. There was only one shower and one toilet for all the rooms, and staff or other people hung around all night. It made for a weird atmosphere.

I had a confirmed Expedia booking, but they told me they were full and sent me back out into the Brisbane streets at 11 pm, alone with all my things and nowhere to go. No help, no advice, nothing. I eventually slept at the airport because at least it felt safe. I’m glad I chose to pay on arrival, since other reviews say people haven’t been refunded. Stay safe and don’t stay here. I’d called the day before to say I’d arrive late on a coach from byron bay. They checked my name and said it was fine and someone would be at reception. When I got there, the place looked shut down. A guest found staff for me, and one rudely said I had no booking and they were full. Staff seemed confused, and the guest gave me more information than they did. After some running around, they showed me a handwritten list of guests they seemed to have overbooked. My name was on it, confirming I had booked, but they still wouldn’t let me stay. A guest said people had been sleeping on sofas in the communal areas because of the overbooking, and that it had been going on all night. I was also told there were bedbugs, which seems consistent with other reviews. I called hostels and hotels from the street, but they were all full.

Sleep was impossible here. Every night I was woken by noise. One night it sounded like an elephant parade, someone was losing their mind, and the police were called. There was construction on arrival night from 8:30 until about 11 pm, with grinders and impact drills. Another guest was checked into our room around midnight, while staff chatted, switched on the main light, and showed them around without regard for people sleeping. Guests were repeatedly told to move rooms during the stay because the system is broken. Reviews suggest this has been happening for over a year. Staff were friendly enough and meant well, but management seemed not to care and treated the other staff like servants. Guests were even asked to fix things themselves, and an electrician was asked if he could sort out the lighting. Staff also came into rooms at any hour, day or night. The water station tap wouldn’t shut off, leaving water running in the main thoroughfare. There are plenty of basic problems too. The shower leaks, leaving a puddle of water and hair that makes using the toilet difficult. Toilet seats aren’t secured, and kitchen cupboard doors are broken and fall off their hinges. Don’t be fooled by the nice photos. It’s cheap and in a fair location, but only stay if you’re desperate. Bring a blindfold and noise-cancelling headphones turned all the way up if you expect to sleep.