Hotel Waterloo & Backpackers (formerly Downtown Backpackers)

I booked this accomodation as the website photos showed a better standard of stay than i received. Booking in at approximately 11.30pm I booked out again at 12.30pm as it was impossible to sleep in the room I had been issued. Although I was on the 5th floor other guests were using the laundry and the washing machines were making such a racket it seemed like they were in the room next to me. I asked for another room, was told there was none. I would like a refund of my charge and am considering my options to pursue this. I fully expect this review to be removed as it is negative and not likely to encourage others to stay.

This is as average as you can get. I stated in this hotel about 10 nights on three different occasions. The reception has been instructed to put as many people in one room as possible to save cleaning. This I dont like. I was alwaysbput in the very same rolm even though hotel seemed quite empty and they could have put people in different shares so it dont get so incrediable Crowded every single time. I also noticed there were some really lobg time stayer at the hostel who are a bit like hobos. This is more like a hostel than hotel so the class thereafter.

I'll start with the positives. There is a bar, cafe and share kitchen for guest all in the hostel which is insanely convenient. The staff for the entire premises were lovely and polite (some even gave tips where to visit and so on). For it's price it's really close to the CBD (5 minute walk). It's near central station, government house and the stadium. Negative: Ridiculously expensive wifi. The paint, carpets, wall in bathroom were in poor condition and were very dated. The bathroom didn't seem to get cleaned properly with any chemical (mould on walls) which when you have 8 people sharing a bathroom, just isn't acceptable in my opinion. Bed seem poorer than usually (unsurprisingly additional mattresses are offered for a fee). Laundry facilities seemed dirty and the laundry powder detergent dispenser was broken. I wouldn't mind the shameless nickel and diming that went on (because of the low price of staying the night) including the insane wifi price but I expect the base facilities be clean and in working order. All in all would be a amazing place to stay for it's price if it underwent a renovation and had better options for wifi.

The hotel has a cafe and bar although drinks from the bar are not allowed to be taken into the cafe. The bar was extremely noisy so it was a pleasure to retire to the cafe where there were a number of choices of reasonable food at very reasonable prices. Lockers for storage of bags and cases are available but are rather pricey at $4 for up to 8 hours when many places have storage rooms for free. The location was good to,explore around the railway station area with the national parliament being close by. The rooms were clean although as older patrons we found the shower over the bath a little difficult but the water was hot. Overall a good place to stay for the night.

Needs upgrading. The dining room wasn't very nice. The continental breakfast for $9 I wouldn't want again cold coffee, hard fruit, cereal didn't taste fresh and utensils didn't look clean. The twin room with one single bed was very small, it looked like the bathroom had been upgraded a bit. I didn't expect much or anything fancy or xtra. Take your own shampoos, soaps etc. The glass windows were cracked and the room was noisey when the gales were blowing. I won't stay there again.