The Backpackers Imperial Hotel - Hostel

We’d booked an ensuite twin through Booking.com, but what we found didn’t match the advertised details, in our opinion. The entrance was filthy, as were the double bedroom and the distant shower and toilet. There was also a rat in the alley entrance, so we turned around and walked the streets looking for somewhere else to stay. Staff were unavailable after 15.30hrs, despite us being told they’d be there until 21.30hrs. A month later, we still hadn’t received a response to our complaint.

The manager said we’d have to pay the whole amount again or have the entire booking cancelled, even though our email receipt and booking on the official website both showed two adults. This happened during the holidays, when there was literally nowhere else to go. The room had been double booked because of an error on their website, but they took no responsibility and didn’t apologize. In the middle of the night, a man, possibly a staff member, came into our female-only dorm, physically shook my sister awake and told her to leave. The manager handled it horribly and shouldn’t be working in service. I just checked, and the website is still showing the false prices.

Shared room or private bedroom, they have both, though I think you need to book the private one early. The shared bathroom had no hot water on the third floor, and the shared kitchen stayed open late but closed early. Still, it’s a great place to stay if you want to have fun around Hobart.

The staff were rude and didn’t try to help. It felt like they take advantage of guests because they know you have no choice. On the phone they quoted $50 to replace a key, then added another $50 when I arrived, ignoring their own $20 sign. Very disappointing and dishonest. Never again.