Jolly Swagman Backpackers

We booked a private room at Jolly Swagman through Airbnb, and it was just right for two. Booking and check-in were smooth, and the staff were especially helpful about parking. The room was small but suited our needs, with a bathroom inside, though it had no door, a bed for two adults, a mini fridge, and plenty of space for bags. King’s Cross is right around the place and lively on weekends. We walked to the opera house; it was a long walk, but manageable. Public transport nearby would have made it easy too if we’d spent more time working out the trains. We were only there briefly and weren’t backpacking, so we didn’t get involved much in the social side. There are communal areas with beanbags and seating, plus a shared kitchen open late. It seems like a place where it’d be easy to meet people. The space was very clean, with room for gatherings and lots of tours on offer. We had a great stay.

The double rooms are roomy, with a mini fridge, sink, and table, and the staff were incredibly helpful, especially Joe. They also offer free airport pickup, which is worth quite a bit. For the price and quality, this is a very good hostel. My one complaint was a guy who kept pressuring everyone to leave the kitchen. He’d start cleaning and putting things away before breakfast hours had ended.

Most of the staff were nice, and a special shout-out to Monica. The hostel was clean, which matters to me. They put on events almost every day, so it’s a good place to make friends if you’re social or have just arrived in Australia. I’ve stayed in a few hostels, and this is definitely one of my best. I don’t understand where the negative comments are coming from. I didn’t use the kitchen because it didn’t seem very convenient, and the bathroom tap had a weak flow. Apart from that, I’ve liked everything so far. Worth it!

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful throughout my stay, and I met some lovely people during my week and a half there. It’s fairly close to Kings Cross station, with a short walk that felt safe given the location. The rooms get quite hot in summer because they don’t have air conditioning or proper ventilation. Laundry is expensive too, and a laundromat may cost less. You get what you pay for. If you just need somewhere to sleep for a short time, it’s not a bad option.