Hearty Center

The staff were friendly, and the place was clean in a quiet neighborhood, but it felt strange to me, almost like a hospice facility. There was no music or atmosphere, cameras along every corridor, and no proper way to cook, which I would expect in a hostel. The sauna and treadmill cost $15 for 45 minutes. I know it was converted from a post-cancer treatment center, but the place gave me the impression that nobody enjoyed working there. A family lives on-site, which brought some life to the building. Still, the bathrooms are tiny and down the hall, and I felt the old treatment center hadn't been very healing. It didn't seem accommodating for able-bodied people, let alone anyone with accessibility needs. I appreciate the rates, but I wouldn't stay again.

For about 75 AUD, I really couldn't complain. It's an older building and some people say it has psych ward vibes, but I didn't find it that bad for the price. The people who say that may not have actually stayed in one, since the energy is vastly different here. My room was clean and even had a massage chair, if that's your thing. The location is great. I could walk to scenic world and the three sisters echo point lookout in under half an hour. Staff were friendly and checked me in even though I was past the 7 pm check-in time. Very affordable for the area, and a good option if you want a cheap private room at kamboota.

The location was the only good part. The whole place seemed tired and run down and needs a major upgrade. The garden was so overgrown it looked almost closed, and there was a Christmas tree at reception in mid-January. The room was small, with a massage chair taking up space that would have been better used for hanging clothes, or a kettle and tea bags. Instead, the kettle had to be plugged in on the floor. The soap and shower gel looked like a random mix left behind by previous visitors. We were eventually greeted by a surly young man who seemed annoyed we'd interrupted his video game. After checking us in, he disappeared. Two young children were watching cartoons at reception, and we saw nobody else all weekend. The room also had little to recommend it beyond location. We've travelled all over Australia and NZ and this was easily the worst place we've stayed. It had odd ex-hospital vibes and really needs a complete rebrand.

The building is a bit run down, but it was all very clean. The bed was comfy, there was a massage chair in the room, tea and coffee were provided, and the showers had plenty of shampoo, conditioner and body wash. The location is unreal, the staff are super friendly, and it's the cheapest accommodation in the area. If you want somewhere more luxurious, you'll have to pay the going price around here.