Sinclairs City Hostel

The worst part was Lyndsey’s response when I called about the hot water. It had been cold for two nights, though we didn’t consider that a huge problem. After I calmly asked why, he got aggressive, said he couldn’t wave a magic wand, and hung up. When I called back because I was shocked he’d ended the call on a paying guest, he accused me of drinking, called me “f@*kin crazy,” told me to “f@*k off,” and said I should leave and get my stuff out by the next day. He kept swearing, so the conversation went nowhere. I’ve never been spoken to like that, and it was frightening to think how he might react to a bigger issue. We were paying over $60 and just thought we should be able to shower when we wanted. Lyndsey said the hostel was on an off-peak rate and the water had to heat overnight. I only wanted to point out that it hadn’t heated the previous night either, so there might be another problem, but he hung up before I could explain. I’m guessing the off-peak rate may not be enough when the hostel is full. In his first rant he also said he’d have the manager tell everyone to limit showers to five minutes, which isn’t something I expected as a paying guest. There are a lot of rules: breakfast ends strictly at 9:30, then the kitchen is off limits for cleaning, and guests must leave the only social area, the kitchen, by 10pm. The top bunk mattress was so worn that I sank through it, and several slats were missing. I put it on the floor with a duvet for the rest of the stay just to get some support. The kitchen has one oven with a single hob of four rings and one microwave, which is difficult at dinner when the hostel is full. Janet, who is the manager rather than the owner, was lovely and quite a character. Still, I strongly recommend finding somewhere else to stay in Sydney. Lyndsey’s manner on the phone was dispicable and shocking.

I’ve been turning this review over for three weeks. Room 15b was so bad that I’m giving the place one star just for that room. The woman who greeted us was very nice, and from outside the hostel seemed decent, but the heat made the room unbearable. It was pure white-hot heat, with uncomfortable bedding. I couldn’t sleep until 4am, and I hadn’t taken alcohol or drugs, so it wasn’t that. I tried the shower, then took an ice block from the fridge, which was hot to the touch. It melted all over me in about five minutes. There was a fan, but it only pushed the hot air around. Maybe it’s good in cooler months, but I’d avoid it in summer. I’ve stayed in much cheaper places with better standards and air conditioning. In Melbourne I can get a similar dorm for $75 a night, with AC, comfortable bedding and a five-minute walk to Central. From here you can’t get to Central Sydney without a taxi. It was ridiculous, I wouldn’t have paid $5 for that room.

We booked two rooms, but they’d overbooked and asked one of us, all men, to share with a stranger. We eventually agreed, then they put all of us in one windowless room with no fan in 30-degree heat. They never refunded the room we’d booked but didn’t get. Worst hotel experience I’ve had, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

I wouldn’t stay near this manager if I wanted to enjoy my time in Australia. She repeatedly asked, “Are you a racist,” apparently hoping to intimidate young students, though she seemed not to understand what the word means. She also used her African background as an excuse for her failings, and was unfriendly and rude. Worse, she made detailed death threats without seeming to consider the consequences.