The Capsule Hotel

I'm a 45-year-old woman travelling alone. I backpacked for several years when I was younger, so I'm used to budget accommodation and hate seeing good cheap places get bad reviews because people expect high-end service for pennies. Here's my honest take. I loved my stay at the capsual hotel and will come back. The pods are large, comfortable and private, with really clean bedding. The price includes a big, plush white towel, and there was body wash and shampoo in the bathrooms. The place is clean and secure, and I liked the charm of the old building. It's on a main city road, so I expected a lot of noise, but city sounds were minimal. I arrived after office hours and had to check in at the bar. The staff I spoke to on the phone were very pleasant and helpful. For the price and location, I think it's great. No photos, sorry, but it looks like it does online.

The showers and toilets are outside the rooms, but the bathrooms have good water pressure and filtration, handles in the showers, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and hairdryers. I did wonder if there were enough showers: I saw at least two for two rooms of six, though I might have missed bathrooms on other floors. The beds were probably the nicest I’ve had for the price. They’re private, boxy pods with soft carpet and a screen you can pull down, without feeling too claustrophobic. The rooms are quiet and pretty lush. My one awkward bit was having a front-facing top bunk, so I had to climb the ladder headfirst. It was fine for me, but I could imagine it being tricky, or a little dangerous, for someone around my mum’s age, 60, lol. The workers and security guard were really friendly. There’s a $20 deposit when you arrive that should be refunded at checkout, and you use a key card to tap the locks. The lift upstairs is a little janky, though there are stairs too. This is my favourite place to stay in Sydney so far, right in the CBD next to World Square and Chinatown. As I told the security guard on the night Lady Gaga performed, I’ll be back :)

The rooms and bathrooms were very clean, and the lockers had plenty of room. There’s also a kitchen with a fridge and basic cooking supplies if you’d rather not eat out every day. A good budget stay right in central Sydney. I’d recommend it for a couple of nights if you’re passing through and want to keep costs down.

The location is extremely convenient, and the staff kindly kept my bag after checkout until later that evening. They only open at 10am, though, so you can’t leave luggage before then. The lockers are on the small side; I was lucky my smaller suitcase just squeezed in. I was very happy with my one-night stay. My pod was immaculate, with clean linen and a comfortable mattress. I had a bottom pod, which was easy to get into, so if you prefer one, it may be worth asking for a lower bunk where possible. And the shower pressure was a blast, in a good way. I’d happily stay again.