Gilligan's Backpackers Hotel & Resort

Max and Ethan were the best bartenders I’ve had. They’re so friendly and go above and beyond with customers. I’ve never felt so welcome arriving at a venue. Thanks for the hospitality, I’ll be back to see them soon!

It’s a fun place to stay, with the bar and club open every day, cheap drinks, and a good chance to meet people and make friends. The downside is the cheapest rooms are on the club side, where the music blasts until 3am every single night. That gets exhausting when you’re not out clubbing and just want to sleep. The kitchen has no oven or air fryer either, so making quick meals like cookies wasn’t possible. Gilligan’s is cool for a stay, but I wouldn’t choose it long term.

I was completely sober when I arrived at Gilligan’s with my girlfriend after dinner. Over three hours I had three shots, then staff refused me another and told me to drink water and come back in 20 minutes. They said it was because I’d ordered a double spirit and coke 45 minutes earlier, which was for my girlfriend, and bar staff could clearly see she was drinking it. When I asked another staff member, she gave a different reason: that I’d had too many shots in a period of time, meaning three hours. Meanwhile, the dance floor was full of backpackers who looked clearly intoxicated. The inconsistent explanations made no sense. I’ve seen other reviews describing similar experiences, and management replies saying the feedback would be used for “ongoing training and development.” It doesn’t seem to have happened. Staff seem unable to tell the difference between someone who is actually intoxicated and someone who’s had a few drinks but is still coherent and in control. I won’t be back.

There’s lots to do here, with something happening every night, plus a gym, powder room, bar, and nightclub on site. The rooms and shower are spacious and modern, and we had a balcony and storage space. There were no curtains, though. Great location, and I’d recommend Gilligan’s for solo travellers or backpackers.