Manly Family-Friendly Getaway- stroll to beach, cafes, parks

The beach and cafes are close by, and the stay is cheap, so don’t expect much. There wasn’t enough dinnerware for everyone. I counted 3 cups or mugs, and often none were free. The place wasn’t very clean, either. The cleaner came 2x a week for the common areas. I wanted to clean my room but couldn’t; I asked her in English for a broom, and she didn’t understand a word. On my last day, I found a cockroach in the bedroom. There was no manager or anyone around. At one point, guests had no toilet paper and no way to get more. The kitchen ran out of paper towels, so people suddenly used toilet paper there. Maintenance was poor too: some beds were just springs, making it hard to sleep, and the bath had no door, so showers left the bathroom all wet.

I’d booked 4 nights through Qantas as part of my flight, since I knew I’d arrive early and be tired after a 23-hour flight from London to Sydney. The agreed check-in time was 12.00, so I went straight to the property when I arrived. It was shut up. I called and was told there was a “family problem” and I couldn’t check in or even arrive until 17.00 at the earliest. I only wanted to leave my luggage until the room was ready. I could see people inside, but apparently they couldn’t let me in. The person on the phone was aggressive and rude, treating me like a nuisance. I pointed out that it was 40˚c and that I should be able to check in as agreed, but was told it was tough because the place was locked. I said they were breaching the contract and I’d have to go elsewhere. They warned that cancelling would mean I had to pay. I explained I wasn’t cancelling, I just wanted them to honor the agreement and let me drop off my suitcase and other things. When asked if 17.00 was a problem, I said yes, because I was melting, needed somewhere for my suitcase, and needed to use the bathroom. In the end, I booked alternative accommodation in nearby Dee Why. I didn’t want to risk waiting past 17:00hrs for someone to let me into the room I’d paid $380 for.

The beds were really hard, the blankets quite thin, and the bathroom sink was clogged. Still, it’s a cute, inexpensive place with a homey feel that I really liked. It’s not too far from anywhere, and the amenities, including a shared kitchen, are all there.

The people are nice, it’s quiet, and the location is very good, with delicious produce down the street and the beach 3 blocks away. But it’s a hostel, not a hotel. The kitchen has hot plates but no stove, the fridge is packed with people’s old, smelly food, and there’s only 1 fork. Some mattresses are all springs with no comfort. There’s no AC, and Manly can get hot.