Bondi Shores Hostel

The women at check-in were nice, but that was the only positive. I chose to stay here, so that part was my mistake, though I don’t want anyone else making it. The place is old, dirty, and unhygienic. Our basic private room was far too unclean for $70/ night. Hostels needn’t be immaculate, but basic hygiene should be a given. It was also VERY noisy. There’s a pub downstairs, and although I know it’s a separate business, guests should be told when live music is on. We weren’t warned at check-in that it would be loud from 9-11pm, especially on a Sunday night, and could have made other plans. Our room was above the band. The floorboards shook, rattled, and vibrated. After five minutes, both my partner and I had headaches, and the noise was unbearable with another two hours expected, so we left. We had to pay for that room and another hostel, and they refused to refund the one night despite the inadequate service. Avoid this place. It’s a joke and embarrassing.

Nice staff and a TV were the only acceptable parts. The hostel was unacceptably dirty, from the toilets and floors to the bedsheets. What were we paying for? The shower was broken, there was no separation from the toilets, and someone could be emptying their bowels next to you while you showered. Keep your nose shut, and expect a wave of freezing water if someone flushes. Internet and WIFI had a VERY POOR signal. Breakfast came with toast and jam but no butter, and the coffee was awful powdered stuff that could ruin your health. A horrible experience. I wouldn’t recommend staying in a cheap Sydney hostel like this. Pay more or check out couchsurfing, or you’ll end up disappointed with dirty hostels.

We booked this because the reviews sounded good, it was near Bondi beach, and the private double room with shared bathroom cost $30-$40 less per night than other places we found online. But the room wasn’t very clean, and finding a lot of hair in the bed really grossed us out. After the first night, we decided to pay an extra $40 a night for the rest of our time in Sydney and move to a nearby YHA hostel.

The rooms and bathrooms were clean, with air con, and the staff were helpful and accommodating. The owner even offered to help us find a car and call his contacts. We booked three nights despite the skeptical reviews, then extended our stay to six. As a couple in a private room, we loved the location near the beach, shops, and restaurants. The kitchen is small and the common areas are limited, but the price is good for what you get. We’d definitely go back :)