Mad Monkey Backpackers Bayswater

The daily activities were one of my favorite things here. Pasta night, trivia, and the other events were well organized and clearly put together with care, making it easy to meet people, have a laugh, and even make plans for the next few days. MM Bayswater has a cheerful social feel without getting so wild that you can’t sleep. Quiet hours are respected, so you can get proper rest. It’s also just minutes from CBD Sydney, Opera House, and lots of lovely parks, with markets and train, bus, and metro connections close by. I’d definitely come back and recommend it, especially if you’re new in town and want to rest and make friends.

The biggest problem for us was staff entering our room and moving our things without permission. An adapter was damaged while they were in there. Communication from management was poor, and reception often felt defensive instead of helpful. We left early and got a partial refund, but it didn’t make up for the stay. Cleanliness was also a serious issue. The whole place smelled of vomit, sweat, and general dirt when we arrived. We later understood that staff had held a party the night before, which seemed to affect the hygiene the next day. The bathroom wasn’t properly maintained or cleaned daily, and nobody told us in advance that it was under maintenance. After another guest was removed from our room, their bed sheets stayed unchanged for two days. We also saw a cockroach in the kitchen. Given the conditions and the way our belongings were handled, I’d urge future guests to think twice if cleanliness and basic respect matter to them.

The location was great, and the hostel was clean and welcoming. Staff were always around if I needed anything. They put on events with free food or activities, which made it easy to make friends. I had a lovely stay and would recommend it. I’ll definitely come back.

The price was high, but nothing about the stay made it feel justified. We were told only after checking in that the electricity would be off for one night, despite this never being mentioned before booking. When you rely on Wi-Fi and power while traveling, that’s a serious inconvenience. The bathrooms were dirty and poorly maintained, and construction work there had not been disclosed when we booked. There was dust everywhere, fewer toilets, and constant hassle. The washing machine filters were so filthy we had to clean the machine ourselves before washing our clothes. We also saw a cockroach in the kitchen. Staff entered rooms while guests were out, climbed onto beds, and handled belongings without explaining why or showing respect. When we got back in the evening, the room still hadn’t been properly cleaned. The place also reeked of vomit from the moment we arrived, apparently because staff had partied the night before and hadn’t cleaned up properly. Emma at reception was cold, unpleasant, and condescending. The manager seemed to try to intimidate or humiliate us in front of other guests. That’s completely inappropriate for a place that’s meant to welcome people. This was easily the worst hostel we’ve stayed at in Sydney, and we travel a lot. Avoid it.