St Kilda East backpackers' hostel

My girlfriend and I arrived this afternoon and saw an ambulance outside, with two paramedics treating a man. I won’t share his condition publicly, as the hostel told me, but that private information is none of their business to share. Drugs may have been involved, which didn’t surprise me given the state of the hostel. The living conditions looked like a crack den, and the bad reviews make sense. I asked for a refund because I didn’t want my girlfriend sleeping there, but they refused. The staff were rude, dismissive, cheeky and manipulative. We were shocked by the whole mess. Look anywhere else unless you’re comfortable sleeping with one eye open.

It was cozy and nice while I stayed here for a while. The location is handy for trams, buses and the train station. The shared kitchen has a decent sized bench for preparing meals, and the common lounge is usually good for laughs and conversation. Like anywhere, clean up after yourself and it stays clean.

Worst hostel I’ve stayed in. The bathrooms are disgusting, toilet paper costs extra, and I got sicker than I ever have while staying there. People smoke indoors, and there’s a regular guest who’s particularly creepy, so you should probably keep your distance. It’s overpriced for what you get. The beds have bed bugs, and the building looks ready to fall apart, with old walls replaced by plywood. If you want to wake up to cigarette smoke and bites all over, this is the place. Apparently there are no refunds either.

I’d never stay here again. The bedding isn’t washed, and you’re treated like you have to walk on eggshells. The owner seems money hungry and doesn’t cash no soap, shampoo or toilet paper. The shower barely works. I’d avoid it, the owner is rude to deal with.