Abode St Kilda

The location was the best part of my stay over Melbourne’s F1 weekend. The circuit is very close, a bus stops right outside, and there are shops, restaurants and a supermarket nearby. There’s no car parking, though, and the entrance down a small alley is easy to miss when you first arrive. The room had no windows, just air conditioning and a large skylight. The skylight brought in natural light, but could be uncomfortable if you’re on a top bunk. My room smelled quite strong, perhaps partly because some long-term guests seemed to live there and didn’t always keep shared areas tidy. The other guests were generally respectful and didn’t cause problems. The beds were disappointing too: the sheets didn’t look fresh, and my bed seemed as if it may already have been used when I checked in. Cleaning could be better. I saw one woman doing it and she told me she worked there every day, which seems like a lot for one person. When I arrived, the two bathrooms, one for men and one for women, looked dirty and stained, though they were much cleaner by the time I left. Each has only two showers, two sinks and two toilets, so it can be inconvenient when the hostel is full. There’s also nowhere decent to put your things in the bathrooms, so they often end up on the floor. The kitchen is small. The one time I saw it, it was messy with a lot of rubbish around. I don’t think it’s a bad hostel, and the location is great. It has potential if the cleaning improves. For now, I’d mainly suggest it to someone who just needs a cheap bed.

Good price and location, but why is the hostel this dirty? There was dust and dirt under the beds, and the lockers had earplugs, socks and tobacco in them. I don’t even want to get into the kitchen. The restroom wasn’t too bad. Please do something to make the place more comfortable.

Jose made this St Kilda stay memorable. From the start he was warm and welcoming, and he kept making sure we were comfortable. He helped with local tips, sorted out small issues quickly, and greeted us with a smile each day. You could tell he takes pride in his work and cares about guests. The accommodation was clean, well maintained and conveniently placed near the beach, shops and cafes. Jose’s work behind the scenes made everything feel easy. He’s a real asset to the place. I’d recommend staying here if you’re visiting St Kilda, and say hello to Jose.

I never stayed here because my plans changed and I booked somewhere else, but the payment came out before I arrived. I booked a refundable room through HostelWorld and cancelled well before the 24-hour cutoff. I still haven’t received my refund. I emailed and went there in person to follow up, but there’s been no action or communication about returning my money. I wouldn’t recommend this place.