Sydney Railway Square YHA

For the price, it’s well located near the Harbour, and especially convenient for the train station. The place was very supervised and well kept. The cooking facilities were well organized and stocked. It seems to draw groups, so if you’re travelling alone it can be hard to connect with people. Internet and air conditioning were acceptable. Train noise could bother light sleepers.

My room was clean and comfortable, with a hanging rack, stool, desk, double bed and bunk. I had no issues with it, and every staff member I dealt with was fantastic. The location is great too. But the noise from other guests was ridiculous. At 1am and even later there was yelling, loud laughter, furniture being moved and animated pool games. I’ve never stayed in a hostel where people were allowed to use common areas so loudly, so late, right beside guest rooms. I also object to the signs encouraging smoking just outside the front door on the covered verandah. Guests shouldn’t have to walk through a cloud of carcinogens to enter the hostel. Without those problems, it would be a great place to stay.

My stay itself wasn’t bad. The toilet and shower were spacious and clean, but the room was small and hot, with no air conditioning. There was no luggage storage either. Before the stay, though, the woman on the phone was very rude. I’d booked a non-refundable room through booking.com, then an unexpected work problem meant I couldn’t check in on the planned day, even though I still had to pay the full price. I politely explained and asked if anything could be done. She said, “If you book a non refundable room that means you need to think before you book.” I’ve worked in hospitality for quite a while too, and couldn’t believe she spoke that way to a future customer.

The only real downside is the train announcements and occasional passing trains from next door to Central Station. You can hear them, but it honestly wasn’t much trouble, and it comes with the location. The rooms and bathrooms were clean, and the heated bathroom flooring was very welcome in winter. There’s a large, lovely dining and sitting area with a TV room, plus a wonderfully spacious kitchen for all kinds of cooks. Great facilities and staff. Not a lot more to say, but those things are VERY good. 8/10.