Pool

Reviews of St Kilda East backpackers' hostel

2 out of 5
St Kilda East backpackers' hostel
2 Tantram Ave, St. Kilda East, VIC

Reviews

4.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 29 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 16 out of 29 reviews" "

4.8/10

Cleanliness

5.4/10

Staff & service

6.0/10

Amenities

5.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

4.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

sam

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I walk in n check leave in 2 minute with get refund for 2 night go sleep in the park instead
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Response from Emilia on 30 Oct 2023
Dear Sam. Not sure what you expected. We are a backpackers hostel, we are not a hotel, motel or a luxuary anything. Please sleep in a park, if that makes you happy!

2/10 Terrible

John

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I paid way to much for so little, no toilet paper or anything, grass over grown and everything just so discusting. Id ask for a refund but i dont know how to submit for on. Booked for 2 nights stayed for one and left on the second.
Response from Emilia on 29 Oct 2023
We are sorry you were disappointed. The grass is cut now, trust us, other places cost much more and offer the same facilities.

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from Emilia on 5 Apr 2023
Dear Sharon. Thank you.

2/10 Terrible

Kerry

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
When we first approach the backpackers, it looks so rundown. When we walked inside, it was disgusting crammed people sleeping on sofas in the hallways. When we arrive the host tried to get extra money for us because it was the F1 weekend. We paid for three nights Shuriken, it wasn’t enough I said no, she threatened to throw us out after the second night. I refused and showed her the paperwork what said we paid for three nights. After Air second night, they took a bookshelf out of the bedroom and put another stretcher for someone to sleep and made at seven in the bedroom. Your broken toilet you had to walk sideways into the toilet close the door. When you sat down your knees were touchin , and made at seven in the bedroom. Your broken toilet. You had to walk sideways into the toilet close the door. When you sat down you knees were touching the door. No hot water in the shower and also we had to bring our own toilet paper. I wouldn’t recommend this place to My in worst enemies.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

2/10 Terrible

Arion

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Emilia on 31 Mar 2023
Dear Arion. We are sorry that your expectations were not fulfilled during your stay with us. We cannot change the fact that it is no more than a shared backpackers accommodation, and cannot be in a perfect state of a display property. It is in use by many people, who all have a shared responsibility to clean after themselves. We try our best to do our part, and provide a great home for those who need it. Thank you.

4/10 Poor

Aweke

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nothing
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023
Response from Emilia on 8 Mar 2023
We wish Aweke all the best!

2/10 Terrible

Izak

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Response from Emilia on 21 Feb 2023
This guest was surprisingly rude during his entire stay. We are a home away from home designed for backpackers and cannot/should not be compared to hotels.

2/10 Terrible

anna

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
There was no photos online and no refunds for a reason please do not stay here waste of money no toilet paper and very rude owner
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Response from Emilia on 11 Jan 2023
Dear Anna. You kept me up all night with your boyfriend calling from 2am to 6am. Then, having lost a full night's sleep, drove for you to the hostel from my home at 6am. I advised, that all guests supply their own toilet paper. I also provided you guys with a double bed. It didn't suit your purpose, that's ok, but as a human being, I'm entitled to be remunerated a little bit, when kept up all of Saturday night, trying to provide you with accommodation services. I do apologise for not meeting your needs.

10/10 Excellent

Porsha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hostel is so cool! The people and staff are very friendly, rooms are spacious with very comfy beds and a funky outdoor area and a relaxed, chilled safe feeling environment! Would recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
Response from Emilia on 12 Dec 2022
Thank you, such comments give insentive to try even harder.

10/10 Excellent

Shehan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great Facility & Service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Response from Emilia on 5 Mar 2020
Thank you for appreciating our home away from home!

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Was a very tidy room with a comfy bed. A little noisy though eventually the guest's went to sleep
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear guest. Thank you, we try

2/10 Terrible

Anonymous

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We arrived to not have the room allocated, owner was out and the cleaner was trying to get us organised but had no clue where to put us. I'd paid for a twin bed and a single, to find out after the fact that they only had single bunks, we were told we'd be in a room on our own, at 5am in the morning I had a man in his jocks staring at me and then he started screaming abuse at my son telling him to get out of his #@$&ing bed. He was obviously drunk and we were then afraid to go back to sleep. The owner had put him in our room without informing us. The facilities were deplorable, sticky bathroom floor, ripped up linoleum, toilets were filthy with urine sprayed everywhere, on the floor cistern and seat, no paper, poo stains on the toilet, grimy walls. Thick layers of dust everywhere.cardboard where mirrors used to be but were ripped off the walls. The shared kitchen was falling apart from the sink being ducked taped to taps hanging on by a thread. Outside of the property was unkempt with a ripped mattress and couch being out the front. I didn't shower the as there was dirty undies in the shower, wet towels pooling at the base of the shower and the shower was grimy and black. IT is by far the worst hostel/backpackers we have ever stayed at.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
These guests booked an 8 bed room but were upgraded to a 5 bed free of charge. We don't have, nor advertise twin beds! They arrived on hard rubbish day and it is our obligation to leave unwanted furniture on the nature strip for collection. Their allegations of someone disturbing their 19 year old son were not substantiated, not sure where it came from. We endevour to provide a friendly, homely environment and not a hotel.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from Owner on 13 Nov 2019
Thank you. Always welcome back

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My review is 5* based on its great value for money. There's good WiFi you get a sturdy bunk bed kitchen shower and communal area and ample fridge freezers. More importantly it's the people who make a hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Emilia on 20 Mar 2019
Thank you very much!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love the vibe this place gives. You get what you pay for. There's a kitchen a bed a toilet shower and WiFi. More importantly it's the people who make it. I've stayed here twice now.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear guest. You are on the money!

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disgusting beyond belief! People that were staying there were nice but owner was extremely rude and had no intentions of anything except cash !!! Give this place a miss
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear guest. We do all we can to ensure clean and friendly and comfortable environment. We are in a beautiful family street location with major shopping centres and all public transport within 5-10 mins walk. Not sure what else a traveller should ask for!

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Response from Emilia on 12 Jan 2019
Booked a mixed rm of 8. Demanded a room for girls only and got it. "Ok" is hardly appreciative.

2/10 Terrible

Diego, Melbourne

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Didn’t even check in due to other plans but it sounds horrible.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Response from Emilia on 12 Jan 2019
Didn't "even check in" but making judgements. If you don't know, say nothing!

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear guest. Your concerns are not clear.

2/10 Terrible

Lewis, Darwin, Australia

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stole my money
I didn't stay: they took my booking, then said they couldn't arrange for entry after 7pm. On their advertisement they say you can enter after 7pm, and give a mobile phone number. The person on the phone said no. She also said she would cancel the booking so they didn't take my money. She didn't do that.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018
Response from Emilia on 4 Apr 2018
Could you please provide your booking details again? Motning was stolen as I haven't invoiced expedia for your payment yet. Will happily cooperate as soon as you reply. Regards, Emilia.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear guest. Thank you very much for your feedback!

2/10 Terrible

Billy , Melbourne

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Would recommend to my worst enemy
The title says it all. DO NOT STAY HERE. HORRIBLE.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018
Response from Emilia on 3 Apr 2018
Yiu probably saw a full hostel with many happy people.

2/10 Terrible

Bo-Han

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
WORST HOTEL IN AUSTRALIA
This is the worst hostel experience I have ever had in my life! The owner is such an awful person! She should be prohibited posting ads on all the hotel booking webs! It’s dirty, noisy & unsafe Don’t even have a lobby & counter The front door lock is just a password plate The people stay at there often open the door in night time Locker keys, she dare demand $30 deposit for that!? Never checked passport Only asked for show the detail of payment The owner dared ask for additional $15 just because she didn’t accept Hotels.com have a big sale for her lodge And when I tried to call Hotels.com customer service, she said can I get out of her property!? Gladly, Hotels.com refunded me $15 that I didn’t need to pay more for the 3 nights. There were two awful incidents happened. The 2nd night, when I got back to the hostel, the owner changed my bed without notifying me. I needed to move my stuff to another empty bed. The 3rd night, my stuff in unlocked locker had been moved to another one without my permission. I called her, she said she had touched them, cuz there was a girl needed to use the locker, I couldn’t find some pieces of my stuff at the moment I was very angry that she did it. And she said swearing words to me on phone. You can see my pictures of the hostel Tiny shower rooms & toilets Baggage are put messily on the floor Each room has 7-8 bunk beds And the bunk bed isn’t safe I slept on an upper bed And there was a hole I could fall into it
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear guest. We are the friendliest hostel in town. Green streets, 3 major shopping centres and all city transport effectively on our door step. We tick all of the boxes for a cash strapped traveller. What more???

8/10 Good

Alice, Sydney, Australia

Liked: Staff & service
Happy and comfortable.
It is the best choice if you are not stay in the room for all times.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2017
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear Alice. Thank you for your positive response and great attitude to life!

10/10 Excellent

Chang

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Sweet home
Good owner sweet home
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear Chang. Thank you for your lovely comments. It is exactly what we provide - sweet home!

2/10 Terrible

Cindy, Sydney

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
This should not be classed as a hostel, it was a boarding house. Showers not working, nothing was clean. Doors wide open and people accessing hostel that were not paying.
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear Cindy, thank you for your feedback. We monitor non paying visitors.

2/10 Terrible

Maarja-Hellen

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
We have done all to give the guests appropriate accommodation. They did not complain on the night.

2/10 Terrible

Cristian

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Värsta av det värsta
Det var det hemskaste ställe att vara på! Hur kan ni ha ett sånt ställe listad hos er?
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2018
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear guest. We are a friendly backpackers in best location in town.

4/10 Poor

Viviane da

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
uma vez pra nunca mais. Longe e atendimento ruim
Alegaram que o valor do hotéis.com estava errado. E aquele desconto do PREÇO SECRETO, tive que pagar em dinheiro o que era um desconto do site por direito. O local fica longe do centro de St Kilda. 14AUD de taxi, 8-10AUD de Uber. Ônibus a cada 40 min. Não há restaurante, mercado, nada no entorno. Após 16h de viagem, sugeriram que eu tomasse banho no dia seguinte para não molhar o piso do banheiro naquela noite. Após rejeitar a proposta, à contragosto me ofereceram um chuveiro alternativo e ainda estipularam quantos minutos deveriam ser meu banho. Cozinha sem geladeira. A geladeira ficava no meu quarto e outros hóspedes entravam pra pegar suas comidas.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2017
Response from Emilia on 20 Feb 2020
Dear guest. Please use Google maps on your phone - we have free WiFi. 3 major shopping centres next door, all of the public transport likewise. For your ref - if we need to clean the bathrooms, we will do so. Plenty of alternatives as we have 5 of each facility. Many thanks for your custom!