Big Backpackers Hostel

The rooftop view is incredible, and the price feels very fair for what you get. I’ve stayed here a few times and it has that easy, home away from home feel, whether you’re joining one of the movie nights or holiday events or just taking it easy. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the new bathrooms look great. It’s also right by the CBD, with Central Station, bus depots and plenty of shops within walking distance. A great budget stay.

The location makes getting around easy, with public transport nearby and the Harbour and Sydney Opera House close by. My floor was quiet, though the single elevator was painfully slow. I first booked a single ensuite, but the air conditioning didn’t work and the windows wouldn’t open, so I moved to a double ensuite. Its AC worked better, but the room still felt hot and humid. Both bathrooms had grime, visible mold and water damage. It’s an okay place to stay, but the bathrooms need a deep clean and the maintenance needs attention.

At 11pm, after a really stressful day at work, I came back to find someone sleeping in my room on my girlfriend’s bed. My cash, laptop and private documents were all left out. I had booked and paid for a private room for two, and the guest told me he’d been overbooked and had asked to move. He was a genuinely kind Irish guest and felt awful. The receptionist, a bald man around 40 whose name I don’t remember, had apparently told him to sleep there anyway. Nobody contacted me or asked permission before using the room to cover their mistake. My girlfriend was meant to arrive two days later, but her flight had been cancelled. Before I went upstairs, the bald receptionist had reassured me that the room would still be private. I’d booked in person two months ahead, left a deposit, and we’d agreed on the price. When I returned to check in, they asked for more money. I was exhausted and just wanted sleep, so I paid the full amount for two weeks to secure the room. At midnight, with work the next morning, I packed up and had to find another hostel. Getting my money back was another mess. The place smelled of weed, and people seemed completely out of it. A random kid who looked clearly high jumped into the conversation to say my math “didn’t add up” while the receptionist refused to refund me properly. I had to threaten to call the police before they gave me any refund. They didn’t return the full agreed amount, split it into four payments, and the last $20 never came. I went back twice more over the following days to chase it. This was the worst experience I’ve had with a business, despite staying in over 30 hostels. The place is dirty and outdated, and the staff were unprofessional. I felt they had no respect for privacy or basic customer rights. I’d avoid it.

It’s very central, practically in Sydney’s CBD and about five minutes from Central Station, and it’s cheaper than other hostels. What really makes Big Hostel special, though, is the team. Yuli, Mau, Patrick and Joris at reception, Ryan who plans the events, and the cleaners and fixers all helped make it feel like family. I’ll definitely come back, for Sydney or just for the people here.