Mission Beach Retreat

I meant to stay a few days and ended up there for a couple of weeks. It has a friendly, relaxed vibe that’s hard to match, and Nick, the current manager, does a great job bringing people together and making the hostel feel like a social hub. It’s especially good for open-minded, free-spirited travellers. Such a cool, unique place, highly recommend!

The small kitchen wasn't cleaned much during the two nights I was there, and the fridge had so little room that we had to push our food in hard. The rooms looked dirty, with cans under the bed and a tissue on the floor. If you don't lock the door yourself, it stays open, and I imagine most people leave it that way. I did appreciate the small pool, though. I wouldn't recommend staying here.

A cosy, welcoming hostel with a chilled, slightly hippie feel, in a good way. It’s a two-minute walk to the beach and close to some nice shops and cafes. When I arrived, Nick, the hostel manager, made me feel right at home and was happy to help with anything. Would recommend!

The great location, right next to Mission Beach, was a plus, and the air con in the basic dorm worked fine. Value for money was reasonable, but there's room for improvement. There are no recycling bins, no curtains on the bunks, and no lockers in the room. Long-term guests left their things lying around and were unfriendly to new arrivals, which affected the atmosphere. The reception guy spent time with the long-term guests and did little to make the hostel feel inclusive. The fridges were packed, leaving little room for newcomers, and the kitchen sponges need replacing more often for hygiene.