Home Backpackers
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Fast facts
Check in from: | 14:00 |
|---|---|
Check out before: | 10:00 |
Pets | Pets not allowed |
More about Home Backpackers
Home Backpackers
Rooftop Terrace and Garden ViewsTake in the breathtaking views of the city from our rooftop terrace and unwind in the peaceful garden, perfect for relaxation after a day of exploring.Modern Amenities and ServicesEnjoy complimentary wireless and wired internet access, as well as a shared kitchen for your convenience. Additional features include a TV in the common area, tour assistance, and luggage storage.Convenient LocationLocated in the heart of Sydney, Home Backpackers is just minutes away from popular attractions like Capitol Theatre and Hyde Park. With easy access to transportation and airport shuttle options, your stay with us will be both comfortable and convenient.Ready to experience the best of Sydney? Book your stay at Home Backpackers now and make unforgettable memories!
Reviews from 
Solo traveller
Comment: 14 Jan 2020
Stayed in: Dec 2019
Friendly and homely
Like the name suggests Home Backpackers feels like home. Staff are friendly, helpful and social. Clean and comfortable, the only hostel I have stayed at that has an oven (on A side) which is a huge bonus! The rooms are spacious and cool even in the summer. Out of all the hostels I've stayed at I would recommend Home Backpackers in a heartbeat
Solo traveller
Comment: 20 May 2024
Stayed in: Jun 2023
Horrendous Experience
Absolutely do not stay here. I stayed here a couple of years ago and had the worst experience of my life.
Allow long-term customers to boolly newcomers. Politely like an adult at 11:30 am I asked someone in my room in which I had just moved into if they would please consider using headphones. She’d had her videos playing for the last two hours. She said loudly “you’re the only one that has ever had an issue, no!!”. I said nothing further and emailed management to speak to her, saying I don’t like conflict. She left the room, came back, and aggressively accused me of being “very annoying” because I spoke to her at 11:30 am and woke a guy up. I said that “but your videos woke me up, and you’ve been playing them for two hours...?”. She then told me no one else had an issue and I was being annoying by having my bags “everywhere”. My bags were exactly in place in the locker and shelf. She then talked over me relentlessly, repeatedly saying that I was “annoying” for waking a guy up at 11:30 am, despite her waking me up with her music. She continued to be loud, talk over me and demand I leave. The reception staff asked me to move rooms because they wouldn’t believe the woman was like that - which is a clear case of discrimination and gaslighting: you’re new, so it can’t be her. I asked why her bullying was being rewarded. Then management Rebecca came. I can see Rebecca is extremely problematic, she threatened to rip out the throat of another guest and kick her out: Jasmine, below and the owner has simply dismissed it.
Rebecca immediately sided with the bully and said I had been “patronising”, and then said that her inappropriate behaviour was acceptable because I was “patronising”, she said that by speaking I would’ve woken the other guy up at 11:30 am but paradoxically it is okay for the other backpacker to have her music and video going for two hours at 11:30 am. Apparently a normal speaking voice of one line at 11:30 am is unacceptable but two hours of videos at 9:30 am is perfectly fine. She said other people in the room denied she had been aggressive to me, but no one else was in the room at that time except myself and a Japanese gentleman, who spoke no English and was unable to follow what happened. When I asked how I was being patronising, the manager said “like you are being now”, and that I was “irate”. Wow such a ridiculous tactic. I said how is questioning you “patronising”, I’m understandably upset and, in fact, your accusations to me are extremely patronising. She immediately said “no, no you’re just saying that” I said “no you definitely are”, as SHE was definitely projecting. She then said a normal person would ask - and she bizarrely gestured in a begging way with her arms curled into her body apologetically, looking up and saying “sorry!” and looking embarrassed for asking. When I asked her if she was saying I wasn’t normal, she immediately denied it, even though that’s literally quoting her. She said I was “twisting her words”, when it was a direct quote. When I asked to how it’s okay to play videos but not okay to speak, she became edgy and started demanding I leave. She then turned and accused me of breaking a power point. I said “it was already dangling like that?!”. When I looked shocked at the accusation, she immediately started saying “leave in 20 minutes or else I’ll call the police”. I was like ? She continued to threaten the police. This woman was very nasty rude bullying and gas lighting me repeatedly when I questioned her accusations and just a nasty piece of work.
The place is problematic, they had one shower recess for several dorms and it absolutely stunk, one or two toilets that stunk, the kitchenette had tiny refrigerators that won’t close properly and they were tiny cockroaches crawling everywhere. Like other reviewers I did hear rats, there was no air conditioning, no lives and the place is old and rundown. A few of power points that were there were extremely unsafe with loose wires dangling everywhere. Wi-Fi was terrible.
Allow long-term customers to boolly newcomers. Politely like an adult at 11:30 am I asked someone in my room in which I had just moved into if they would please consider using headphones. She’d had her videos playing for the last two hours. She said loudly “you’re the only one that has ever had an issue, no!!”. I said nothing further and emailed management to speak to her, saying I don’t like conflict. She left the room, came back, and aggressively accused me of being “very annoying” because I spoke to her at 11:30 am and woke a guy up. I said that “but your videos woke me up, and you’ve been playing them for two hours...?”. She then told me no one else had an issue and I was being annoying by having my bags “everywhere”. My bags were exactly in place in the locker and shelf. She then talked over me relentlessly, repeatedly saying that I was “annoying” for waking a guy up at 11:30 am, despite her waking me up with her music. She continued to be loud, talk over me and demand I leave. The reception staff asked me to move rooms because they wouldn’t believe the woman was like that - which is a clear case of discrimination and gaslighting: you’re new, so it can’t be her. I asked why her bullying was being rewarded. Then management Rebecca came. I can see Rebecca is extremely problematic, she threatened to rip out the throat of another guest and kick her out: Jasmine, below and the owner has simply dismissed it.
Rebecca immediately sided with the bully and said I had been “patronising”, and then said that her inappropriate behaviour was acceptable because I was “patronising”, she said that by speaking I would’ve woken the other guy up at 11:30 am but paradoxically it is okay for the other backpacker to have her music and video going for two hours at 11:30 am. Apparently a normal speaking voice of one line at 11:30 am is unacceptable but two hours of videos at 9:30 am is perfectly fine. She said other people in the room denied she had been aggressive to me, but no one else was in the room at that time except myself and a Japanese gentleman, who spoke no English and was unable to follow what happened. When I asked how I was being patronising, the manager said “like you are being now”, and that I was “irate”. Wow such a ridiculous tactic. I said how is questioning you “patronising”, I’m understandably upset and, in fact, your accusations to me are extremely patronising. She immediately said “no, no you’re just saying that” I said “no you definitely are”, as SHE was definitely projecting. She then said a normal person would ask - and she bizarrely gestured in a begging way with her arms curled into her body apologetically, looking up and saying “sorry!” and looking embarrassed for asking. When I asked her if she was saying I wasn’t normal, she immediately denied it, even though that’s literally quoting her. She said I was “twisting her words”, when it was a direct quote. When I asked to how it’s okay to play videos but not okay to speak, she became edgy and started demanding I leave. She then turned and accused me of breaking a power point. I said “it was already dangling like that?!”. When I looked shocked at the accusation, she immediately started saying “leave in 20 minutes or else I’ll call the police”. I was like ? She continued to threaten the police. This woman was very nasty rude bullying and gas lighting me repeatedly when I questioned her accusations and just a nasty piece of work.
The place is problematic, they had one shower recess for several dorms and it absolutely stunk, one or two toilets that stunk, the kitchenette had tiny refrigerators that won’t close properly and they were tiny cockroaches crawling everywhere. Like other reviewers I did hear rats, there was no air conditioning, no lives and the place is old and rundown. A few of power points that were there were extremely unsafe with loose wires dangling everywhere. Wi-Fi was terrible.
Solo traveller
Comment: 3 Feb 2020
Stayed in: Jan 2020
Refused checkin due to staff error & no reply from management for my complaint.
I made a booking via phone a few hours before checkin time. Reception staff failed to put my name on my booking. When I arrived, another reception staff refused my checkin & said the staff who took my booking had left work. So, my checkin was unsuccessful & my taxi fare was wasted for nothing. I made a complaint to management via phone & email multiple times over 2 weeks but owner Troy didn't respond until I finally got hold of him one day but he only told me he'd look more into it. I am still awaiting for his reply up till this day !
Hotel response
Comment: 16 Feb 2020
Hi veryangrypatron - aka Alice Mak
Alice, you were banned from HomeBackpackers several months ago along with a majority of Hostels throughout Sydney due to your rude & abusive behaviour.
You called up muffling your voice to try & trick new staff into making a reservation. When you arrived & had to show your ID, our reservation system then flagged your name not to be checked in. You were then refused check-in.
I don't know why TRIP ADVISOR would let you leave a review?
Good luck finding suitable accommodation
Alice, you were banned from HomeBackpackers several months ago along with a majority of Hostels throughout Sydney due to your rude & abusive behaviour.
You called up muffling your voice to try & trick new staff into making a reservation. When you arrived & had to show your ID, our reservation system then flagged your name not to be checked in. You were then refused check-in.
I don't know why TRIP ADVISOR would let you leave a review?
Good luck finding suitable accommodation
Solo traveller
Comment: 13 Jan 2020
Stayed in: Jan 2020
My favourite hostel in Sydney
Home Backpackers it's literally my Home in Australia.
After trying at least 10 different hostels in Sydney "Home Backpackers" is the one I always go back to!
Very close to Central Station and CBD
Friendly and efficient staff, clean and with a nice terrace with Art and Graffiti.. Just love it!
Ps:free pizza night and pancakes in the weekend ;-)
It's nice to be here!
After trying at least 10 different hostels in Sydney "Home Backpackers" is the one I always go back to!
Very close to Central Station and CBD
Friendly and efficient staff, clean and with a nice terrace with Art and Graffiti.. Just love it!
Ps:free pizza night and pancakes in the weekend ;-)
It's nice to be here!
Group traveller
Comment: 2 Jan 2020
Stayed in: Dec 2019
Backpacking Slum
From the moment we arrived the whole hostel has a weird smell to it. Reaching our room we found 4 dead cockroaches around the bin and under the beds, which i admit is great that they were dead, not great that they hadn’t been cleaned away. Following this we found a live one and let the staff know. They quickly agreed to sort it the following morning which was great! They used a non toxic spray on the carpet around the walls and we soon realised this is where the gross smell was coming from (despite every effort being made to cover this up with sickly sweet car airfreshners in every single room, bathroom and common area). On top if this there is no air-con, just a tiny fan on the wall so the room was unbearably hot all the time, the door didn’t lock from the inside, the pillows made two of us ill (we were fine once we ditched them) the soap in the bathroom was full of dead flies because it didn’t have a lid, the kitchen was dirty and rusty and someone had written ‘clean me’ about 4 times in the window mesh. The one time i used the tv room i had to brush a whole biscuit packet of crumbs off before i could sit down on the sofa. Stayed in a lot of hostels in Oz, and this is one of the worst.... Location is good but there are better bangs for your buck.
Hotel response
Comment: 8 Jan 2020
Hi akypbrown
We are sorry to hear such a negative review. Over a hundred guests stayed here over the peak New Year period the only ‘same’ negative 3 reviews are from the one room where you & your friends stayed.
I disagree with ‘the place stinks’ but know rooms can have an odour due to some guests having bodily issues staying in dorm accommodation. I suggest staying in a private room so you don’t come across this issue again but unfortunately does depend on your budget. We place air-fresheners in some rooms because it’s hard to approach certain guests about bodily hygiene as previously experienced guests getting offended when mentioned.
Unfortunately Sydney is known for cockroaches & we occasionally have flare ups due to high temps & guests leaving opened and/ or unopened food in their rooms when we supply sealed containers in the 2 kitchens to store food in. We use regular pest control which seems to be working as cockroaches found in the corner of your room were dead. Staff also sprayed your room again straight away as you mentioned.
Not sure why you couldn’t sleep on our pillows? Pillows are new & you were given a clean pillow case on arrival. You could of swapped pillows or grabbed another one if you would approached staff during your stay?
We clean the kitchens & common areas multiple times during the day but can be left dirty due to guests not cleaning up after themselves. We have signs saying please clean up after cooking but unfortunately there are some inconsiderate guests in shared accommodation who just won’t clean. I’m sorry if you they were here during your stay.
We are pleased to hear our location is ‘good’. Being situated 3 minutes from central station & a 30 minute walk to Sydney harbour enables guests easy access to a majority of Sydney’s attractions.
We are sorry to hear such a negative review. Over a hundred guests stayed here over the peak New Year period the only ‘same’ negative 3 reviews are from the one room where you & your friends stayed.
I disagree with ‘the place stinks’ but know rooms can have an odour due to some guests having bodily issues staying in dorm accommodation. I suggest staying in a private room so you don’t come across this issue again but unfortunately does depend on your budget. We place air-fresheners in some rooms because it’s hard to approach certain guests about bodily hygiene as previously experienced guests getting offended when mentioned.
Unfortunately Sydney is known for cockroaches & we occasionally have flare ups due to high temps & guests leaving opened and/ or unopened food in their rooms when we supply sealed containers in the 2 kitchens to store food in. We use regular pest control which seems to be working as cockroaches found in the corner of your room were dead. Staff also sprayed your room again straight away as you mentioned.
Not sure why you couldn’t sleep on our pillows? Pillows are new & you were given a clean pillow case on arrival. You could of swapped pillows or grabbed another one if you would approached staff during your stay?
We clean the kitchens & common areas multiple times during the day but can be left dirty due to guests not cleaning up after themselves. We have signs saying please clean up after cooking but unfortunately there are some inconsiderate guests in shared accommodation who just won’t clean. I’m sorry if you they were here during your stay.
We are pleased to hear our location is ‘good’. Being situated 3 minutes from central station & a 30 minute walk to Sydney harbour enables guests easy access to a majority of Sydney’s attractions.
Exceptional location
238 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills, Sydney, 2000, Australia|0.89 km from city centre
Check in and check out
Check in from:
14:00
Check out before:
10:00
Good to know
Pets not allowed
For all purchases in the hotel, credit card payments are subject to additional charges, please contact the hotel for details.
Children require an extra bed to sleep in the room.
Please contact the hotel for details about adding extra beds.
Home Backpackers: FAQs
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