St Kilda East backpackers' hostel

Location: 2 Tantram Ave East St Kilda, Melbourne, au

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Check-out: 10:30 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Terrace
• Private check-in/check-out
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Shared kitchen
• Adult only
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Japanese garden

Rooms Available

• Single Bed in Dormitory Room

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet

• Queen Mezzanine in Dormitory Room

  The double room includes a shared bathroom fitted with a shower. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet

• Economy Shared Dormitory

  1 Queen Bed

  Overlooking the garden

  
  

  Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - 3 bathrooms, towels, and a shower

  Comfort - Daily housekeeping and portable fan

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • Portable fan
  • Bedsheets provided

• Single Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet

• Mixed Dormitory Room

  This room offers access to a shared kitchen and a communal lounge area. A shared bathroom is available. Guests are to supply their own toilet paper.

  Max Occupancy: 7 (7 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • Kitchenette
  • Refrigerator
  • Toilet
  • Microwave
  • Heating
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Electric kettle
  • Toaster
  • Linen

• 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

  The dormitory room includes a shared bathroom equipped with a shower. The unit offers 5 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet

• Budget Double Room

  The double room includes a shared bathroom fitted with a shower. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet

• Economy Triple Room with Shared Bathroom

  The triple room includes a shared bathroom fitted with a shower. The unit has 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet

• Mixed Dormitory Room

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Toilet

Guest Reviews

• Adame (1/5): -
• Mohamed-amine (3/5): -
• Mohamed-amine (2/5): -
• Tay Bin Hardi (6/5): Cheap - The owner was kind enough to let me sleep on the couch when I had a hand injury There's a bad smell
• Matthias (2/5): very bad - Absolutely avoid this place. I arrived late at night and there was no reception, just an open front door. An older man who appeared to be the owner or someone who worked there approached me while smoking inside and holding a bottle of liquor. Another person inside seemed heavily intoxicated and was also smoking indoors, which already made the situation feel very uncomfortable. The room was in terrible condition. The “bed” was just an unfolded couch and the sheets were extremely dirty, with sand and hair in them. As soon as I lay down, my whole body started itching, which was very concerning. Another guest immediately warned me not to leave any valuables in the room because things had been stolen before. There were only 3 lockers for 8 people, so it wasn’t even possible to store belongings safely. The bathroom facilities were extremely small and unhygienic. There was also no air conditioning, no wifi and no mobile reception in the building. I had booked and paid for 4 nights, but I only stayed one night because I simply did not feel safe or comfortable staying there any longer. I left the next morning. I paid $270 for 4 nights, which is completely unreasonable for what you get. I contacted Booking.com to request compensation or a refund, but the hostel refused. The many other negative reviews clearly show that this is an ongoing issue. Do yourself a favor and book somewhere else.
• Tim (1/5): A genuinely horrific experience, that cause me immense stress. - The property was in disarray. The room was infested with bugs, had broken windows, unclean sheets and clutter scattered across the rooms, including drugs & liqour. The bathrooms had exposed wires and electrical equipment, and the house was cluttered with mess. I spoke to the only person at the property at the time and he mentioned that some of the drug-addict tenants had started arguments with him and tried to steal from him. I left less than an hour after arriving, before the property manager arrived. Due to the horrific condition of the place, I decided to leave immediately and book accomodation elsewhere. I tried to organise a cancellation with Booking.com but I never received a refund or financial compensation. It is a disgrace that this property continues to be listed on your site. You have a duty to your customers to vet the conditions of the property.
• Lennon (2/5): if you’re a microbiologist studying bacteria propagation, or an enthusiast of cold showers and the smell of cigarettes, -
• Aristide (1/5): -
• lua lupita (4/5): -
• Ren (1/5): -
• Edwin (10/5): - All, kitchen is big Well, some floors we can’t use showers
• Malkolm (4/5): I would recommend to spend a little extra money on better Hostel. - Very nice staff especially Emilia, pretty comfortable beds and relatively clean sheets. Also relatively cheap. A lot of druguse (whole place smells of weed), some rooms are moldy, disgusting kitchen (basically unusable), barely any cutlery or kitchenwear. No WI-FI and very bad internet reception. Not enough lockers. Also very messy/dirty in general.
• Rynne (1/5): -
• 张 (1/5): -
• Yingpeng (1/5): Never come again and I deny to stay here overnight. - It rob me when there is nowhere I can go. It just better than sleep on the street. It is the terrible environment.
• Diego (5/5): - The staff were kind and helpful at all times, always willing to solve any problem I had. Plus, the price was very cheap considering it was during F1 time. I arrived around 11 PM and was initially assigned a bed. About an hour later, another guest claimed that bed, saying it had been assigned to him a few hours before I arrived, so the staff moved me to a different one. Then at 3 AM, random people came in and woke me up, saying it was their bed, and I had to move again. In the end, I finally got another bed, but the experience was very uncomfortable.
• Damien (2/5): Long - Le Check out Tout, chambre sales et malodorantes, personnes fumant dans chambre et salon, toilettes et sales de bain délabré.. une angoisse
• Regan (1/5): -
• Austin (1/5): - The guy working there was really nice and helpful. The woman who owns the hostel was quite rude over the phone for arriving early (getting there before check in is pretty standard for backpacking hostels). And overall she doesn't invest anything into the building maintenance and it shows. Not worth 1 AUD. Only stay if there are no other options.
• Aktürk (1/5): -
• Prabhjot (1/5): -
• Adam (5/5): -
• Thomas (10/5): - Hostel style setup, but everyone was very friendly and welcoming 🙏
• Wade (7/5): Ultimately, I enjoyed my stay - Very quiet and relaxing house for a hostel in a peaceful and quiet residential neighborhood. Trams to city only a 5 to 10 minute-walk away Personnel was friendly Not a fancy house but...comfy bed, very few people. It felt homey and cosy It was dirty under my bed, lots of dust and spider webs.. Lack of cleanliness in tiny showers Every lockers in my room were broken or could not be shut, that was a major downside. I had to carry around a bag full of my valuables with me every time I went out.
• Hannes Ronny (3/5): If you are ready for an adventure, go for it. - The people in my room were really nice and friendly. Well when I arrived I just noticed that the front door was open and it was not possible to close it at all. When I came into my room (again always open) I had not space to store my luggage anywhere in the room. Like in the other reviews I think some other people in this Hostel / House took drugs (they weren’t in my room), but this wasn’t a problem in this night. However one of my roommate, who was living there for 3 months already told me that they can be aggressive sometimes, furthermore it can be loud in the night he said. The bathroom was ok. Only one sink, one shower and one toilet. I didn’t use the shower and I think I wouldn’t use it at all. You can’t use the kitchen. There is a kitchen but I wouldn’t use it XD. Also my roommate told me that he’s always eating outside. The night was really hot. Really really hot. Nobody in my room used a blanket. I paid $80 for this night because this was the only one and cheapest one available in Melbourne. But this is way too much. Don’t pay $80! Just book a Hotel room if there’s no other hostel available.
• Chandani (1/5): -
• Lachlan (1/5): Absolutely horrible - Nothing It’s a literal crack house
• Ugo (1/5): - It is the dirtiest place ever, it should not be allowed as an accommodation
• Dennis (1/5): Nothing - N/A Dirty place , staff cheated on me , about the payments, when I reach there she told me to add $ I don't refer one to this place
• Matthew (5/5): - The price. Everything else. It isn't a hostel, it is a bohemian house, with dozens of beds crammed in. If you're after a cheap stay - expect nothing and you won't be disappointed
• Carlos Javier (7/5): -
• Casset (1/5): Disaster - Nothing Everything
• Dahal (1/5): -
• Manuela (7/5): -
• Manuela (7/5): -
• Walter (1/5): Horrible - The people until I got assaulted and nearly stabbed which forced me to look for a private accomodation. Not clean, Unsafe and not up to standards. If you stay there you might loose your life or at the very least your soul
• Grinham (2/5): -
• Didi (1/5): -
• Alexey (1/5): - Nothing Everything
• Walter (10/5): -
• Tyali (10/5): -
• Rhys (1/5): Ugly - Nothing I couldn't even get in!! Poor management Nothing!!
• Saleh (10/5): Good value, no frills - I liked good people at the hostel, comfortable bedroom, convenient location and peaceful. Nothing
• DEAN (8/5): -
• Tyali (10/5): -
• Indrit (10/5): -
• Andrea (1/5): -
• Liam (1/5): No one should stay there - Absolutely nothing!!!!! I’d like to request a refund. The place was actually disgusting, the door was left open at 1:30am so anyone could’ve have walked in off the street. The owner was incredibly rude and everyone in the house was horrible. I’ve taken pictures of everything, can’t actually believe this place is allowed to be listed as a ‘hostel’ it’s just a very over crowded house. I ended up finding someone’s sofa to stay on rather than the house as I really didn’t feel safe there
• le (2/5): Guest couldn't stay final night due to discomfort and going back and forth with the owner - A complaint was filed. Owner charged extra night due to arriving at 5am even though Booking.com said check in anytime. A lot of smoking and noise
• Kelly (10/5): Fantastic - Felt very homely . No complaints
• Kelly (10/5): Exceptional -
• Louis (1/5): Bad -
• Giles (1/5): so uncomfortable, concerned, and unsafe that I chose to sleep in my car rather than stay the night - This place is an absolute disgrace. The driveway was completely obstructed by overflowing garbage bins, a ramshackle chain-link fence, and an overgrown, trash-strewn lawn that made it look more like a derelict drug den than a hostel. From the moment I arrived, I was appalled. The bathroom and toilet were downright revolting—filthy, makeshift, and clearly neglected for what looked like years. Hair coated the sink and toilet, the floor was uneven, and the "walls" were little more than flimsy panels slapped together like a DIY nightmare. The mixed dorm reeked of unwashed bodies, the bedding was visibly dirty, and the entire room was so cluttered it felt more like a storage unit than a place for people to sleep. I felt so uncomfortable, concerned, and unsafe that I chose to sleep in my car rather than spend a single night inside. This wasn’t just bad—it was borderline inhabitable. Avoid at all costs.
• Prince (6/5): Pleasant - Fjne5 Fine
• Melissa (1/5): You pay for what you get and you still may even think you were scammed - Located close to transport and shops Nothing to like it’s run like a nut case and take your chances because it will change your life forever and you may have nightmares after the experience
• Melissa (1/5): Unfortunately it was unforgettable in a bad way - The only thing was Location and assess to public transport and services Most of the tenants were Drug, alcohol and abusers. The place is a ruin and should be condemned due to dodgy electrical system, low standards of cleanliness, poor hygiene and poor management. Had police attend several times for disorderly behaviour, drug use and life threatening conditions Council attended several times. Once due to mess and noise complaints which were justified at 3am to 4am Neighbours yelling over fence to keep quiet after the loud and abusive language and fighting. The second time for an inspection. If attending take toilet paper sanitiser, ear plugs, a bodyguard and walk around with eyes closed as you would believe you were scammed
• María (1/5): Overall, I did not feel comfortable or secure staying there and had no choice but to leave. - No breakfast While the man who welcomed us upon arrival was very kind, I ended up staying only one night out of the three I had booked and paid for — and I am still being charged for the full stay. The reasons for my early departure were: The windows in the room were broken. The bathrooms were in very poor condition. The bedding was in questionable condition. A man came in during the night yelling and causing a scene, which made me feel extremely unsafe.
• Colin (1/5): Bad -
• Andrew (2/5): - St Kilda East Backpackers. We walked in, not one to book us in, not that that mattered, we couldn't stay there. smelt like dead rats, worse than if you pictured a hovel. We rang the owner, and Wotif rang the owner. Both responses were if people want a clean place to stay, they should go somewhere else. I would be very surprised if Wotif allow this hostel to book through them ever again.
• Viaud (2/5): Very poor -
• Darren (3/5): Poor -
• Janos (1/5): Glad that it was only one night - - The double bed on the right in room 7 was comfortable. I work in the Hotel business so I do know the impact of a comment on booking. I still do feel the need this time to advise those whom are taking into consideration the reviews, to choose another accommodation. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be legal to operate a place like that. The guy who was in charge to settle us in forget that the bed was ours for the night and kept reminding us that usually that is his bed and called the owner to ask why is it empty while we was already arrived … The other occupants didn’t really inspired confidence and were clearly missing something if you see what I mean. Not the fault of the place itself but no one is there to control really what are the people are doing (smoking inside, disturbing the others trying to sleep after 11pm..) The place itself wasn’t clean at all, the showers and the room smelt mold and even tho I think they have changed the sheets, I didint felt comfortable while sleeping because the whole place just gives you a bad general feeling. I can only blame myself to not considering enough the comments, learn from my mistake … To the owner : I know that you should make a living, but it’s a horrible experience to sleep there at the moment and it is not fair to other people I think. I would think of a complete renovation and a slightly different organization to keep things in order.
• Leo (1/5): Bad -
• Judit (1/5): Sleeping in the street would have been better... - The location is the only thing that they don't lie to you about. But honestly, prefer to spend the night in the street cause it was the most horrible experience in a "hostel" (I think we cannot describe it as a real hostel, it was more like a prison) We have been squatting and we are used to traveling cheap and we usually never have a problem, but we feel the need to warn anyone who is planning to stay here. We paid $200 for one night because the F1 but we wouldn't even paid $5 if we had known wherr we where going. My partner and I did a late check-in. Just coming in, all the other guests were wanring us that this was a horrible place to stay (all dirty, no facilities at all and no one was managing the situation). The man who recieved us was completely out of himself (drunk and drugged. We have no problems with alcohol and drugs, but come on, you cannot recieve people in this conditions). But this was not the problem cause it was kind of funny. The room and in general the whole "hostel" was completely filthy. They gave us a "king bed" that was bended and really uncomfortable (again, we do not have high expectations). There was only one toilet in disgusting conditions (all full of pee and no toilet paper). We sent a message to the manager (Emily. That we never met but we sent our drivers licence to do the check in) so she could be aware of the situation and she mocked us. Hope this help! Cheers.
• Nora (1/5): Bad - The beds very quiet comfortable and I even got a double bed as a solo traveller. The bathrooms are ridiculously small and barricaded and one of them smells intensely like urine. You had to bring your own toilet paper. The kitchen is fine but there was no dish soap or towel. There is no dining area, just two couches. Check-in took very long because the owner wasn't there and didn't answer the phone. The constellation of people staying there might make especially women feel unsafe and uncomfortable.
• Martin (1/5): Bad -
• Arvid (1/5): Don't stay there, it's just not worth it. The smell, slime and squalor. Toilets and showers, gosh. - Some of the others staying there were nice Place was in a state of squalor and filth I caught a tram to the beach to go to the toilet. The showers are sand tiny, only a small person will fit inside. Overcrowded, with about everyone smoking weed, outdoors and indoors. Loud talking until 3 am. The small in the overcrowded bedroom was a mix of stale animal urine and rotten cheese. Not fit for an animal. Good Google the name of the person you are dealing with, you will get an idea. She is a bully and wants you text your passport or driver licence to her. Victorian government agencies strongly advise you never to do that, she has no idea about these matters and English is her second language in any case. There is nowhere to put your bag, I was told to put it on the bed whilst I slept. How do you sleep in a stuffy room smelling weed and tobacco whilst the noise is also unbearable. You have to hold your breath when you open the fridge and the kitchen is a no-go zone unless you have a very strong stomach. you Do not stay there, pay more for something that will not make you physically ill. Don't stay there, it's just not worth it.
• Shannon (8/5): Very good -
• Stephen (1/5): I felt scammed; it was nothing like the photos. For that price, sleeping on the street would have be - The only thing was the location The worst place I have ever stayed at. The rooms were dusty, the bathrooms were dirty, and people were sleeping on the sofas. I felt like I was sleeping in a prison. On top of that, they changed my room without consulting me, and one of my jackets was stolen. I do not recommend this hostel at all. I wish they would give me my money back. It was so horrible that I only slept there for one night out of the two I paid for. I hope they inspect that place and take action.
• Staub (8/5): Very good - A very friendly and relaxed atmosphere, low keyed and easygoing. I stayed 6 nights and found that there were friendly permanent guests as well as many people from different countries and backgrounds staying. From young backpackers to older (senior citizen like me). The vibe is casual friendly safe and relaxed. The perfect place to stay for people who wish to escape the sterile and impersonal atmosphere found in many places and meet other travellers I found everything acceptable and have no complaints. The price is very reasonable
• Hayley (2/5): - Quite possibly one of the worst hostels I’ve stayed at in Australia. There’s no signage on the outside of it, so it is quite hard to locate. I wasn’t sent any check in instructions and check in wasn’t until 5pm, so that’s quite inconvenient. The bed that I was put in was right beside the window with a screen that was broken, since the room is on the ground floor, someone could easily access the room. The lockers are also broken so you can’t securely store your stuff. At 2:30am I was woken up by a person moving stuff around right outside the broken window and it was a very scary experience. The cleanliness of the hostel was abysmal. The whole place smelt like cigarette smoke. The bathroom smelled of urine and there was no toilet paper the entirety of my stay. For the price of the room ($100) I was extremely disappointed. Just get a hotel room for that price.
• Sebastian (4/5): Disappointing - Location Facilities
• Jobinka (1/5): Not recommended - Absolutely nothing! This place shouldn’t be promoted for accommodation. After checking in I took my stuff and decided to stay somewhere else. I have never witnessed an environment like this in real life.
• Oscar (10/5): Exceptional -
• Leonard (1/5): Don’t do it. - Not a single thing It was dirty unclean and wouldn’t pass inspection from building inspector health inspectors or fire inspectors. Or any other inspection for that matter. It’s an absolute disgrace and safety violation. The place hasn’t seen a vacuum or dusting much less disinfectant and sanitation maybe ever but definitely years. The bathrooms are disgusting stink of urine and excrement as most of the time they remain un-flushed. The fridges smell worse than the toilets I could smell one in particular when it was opened from the furthest room away. They were most likely collected from hard rubbish and commissioned for use without so much as a thorough cleaning, along with the rest of the furniture and bedding in this house sloppily converted into a structure to house as many people as possible with no regard for their safety or comfort. By someone without any knowledge or skill in carpentry. One guest in particular that has been there 3 months smokes inside at night and it permeates through the whole house to the point you can see the smoke from one end to the other. Apparently it’s the guests responsibility to clean it and they have formed some sort of roster to do so. But there was no evidence of any cleaning taking place there ever.
• Garaud (2/5): Very poor - It is stinking, I felt like I was breathing in a shoe ( terrible). It was smelling weed in the bedroom and people smoked inside the house.It is also very noisy, I couldn't sleep the two nights I've been there. Above all, it is extremely dirty. For instance, there was no sponge for the dishwashing, I let you imagine the state of the cutlery.. My bed was even not prepared when I arrived ... all this for 65$ a night, what a shame... You better pay a bit more and avoid this kind of squat
• Joshua (10/5): Exceptional -
• Vladimir (10/5): Exceptional - Manager Nathan is wery helpfull
• Marek (10/5): Werry good - The manager Nathan is very helpful,sch Schawer is a bit small
• Trai (1/5): Opted to relocate within the hour - Price Bad vibe, maggots, room with no working lights
• Nicolas (1/5): I've travelled a lot in Asia and Latin America, and I've always stayed in hostels because I love the atmosphere. - Nothing I've travelled a lot in Asia and Latin America, and I've always stayed in hostels because I love the atmosphere. But this hostel is by far the worst I've stayed in. This hostel will make you not want to go to a hostel. I don't understand how it can be on booking. The welcome was cold, dark, and I was shown to my bed, which was nothing more than a fold-out bed full of dust. The owner told me that the sheets would be put on in a moment. It wasn't sheets but a sleeping bag, A BAG OF COUCHING. Only one or two working showers, unhygienic toilets, disgusting excuse the term. Finally, what a pleasure to be woken up with the smell of cigarettes because the owner smokes inside the hostel. Hold on to your hats, all for the modest sum of $70. What a shame, $70 for a dump like this.
• Hassan (7/5): Is okay enough for 1-2 nights. - Is like a family environment. A bit unclean in some areas.
• 59 (1/5): Terrible - Nothing No one home dilapidated old house bins all fill and smelt Drug house Unkempt Wouldn't let my worst enemy stay there Can't believe bookings.com have it listed $70 down the drain Thinking of using another booking service
• Angelo (1/5): WORST HOSTEL THAT I HAVE EVER BEEN VERY DIRTY - NOTHING EVERYTHING
• Judaz05 (5/5): Passable - Staff Availability Bathrooms
• Steffen (6/5): You get what you pay for - You need to bring your own toilett paper
• Simin (2/5): Very poor -
• Núñez (1/5): Bad -
• Michel (1/5): Nightmare - Nothing Filth
• Heidi (10/5): Exceptional -
• Trent (1/5): Horrible experience - Nothing Rats, no toilet paper, inadequate bedding
• Roxanne (4/5): I will be back again but this time more prepared - I got there late the code I got did not open the door and no one answered when I knocked. it was unclear from the front that it was a hostel
• Venkateswara (9/5): One can stay for a long time in this hostel. - Hostel is placed in a great location. All the facilities are available including a rice cooker, oven and a grill. Very calm. Very good transportation from Melbourne CBD on trams 3 and 16. One needs to get off at stop no 43 and take your right on Oorong Road and walk around 700 meters. Coles super market and Liquor land are located close by to shop groceries and alcohol. All are good.
• Riza (1/5): Wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. - I was able to check-in to the property at 1am. Extremely dirty, the sheets and the blankets were definitely not cleaned. Smelled really awful.
• Marcus (1/5): Foul and disgusting! - Nothing whatsoever at all! Perhaps the worst experience that I've ever had in a hostel, while certainly the worst that I've experienced in this country! DO NOT STAY THERE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!! Absolutely vile, while this premises literally had rats in the living room and kitchen area! The guy who I initially spoke to further to there being no staff on site had a drug problem, while the kitchen was rancid with food waste and the bathrooms had broken toilets and dirty showers. If you think I'm making this up, read the other reviewer's comments!!
• Deneele (1/5): Bad -
• Tomas (1/5): Bad - Absolutely nothing. The place shouldn't be on booking.com! Rats running thick throughout the building
• Jasper (1/5): Worst ever, don’t go! - Nothing, it was terrible, beyond bad. I didn’t get assaulted was a plus. Worst of the worst. Think gang house/halfway house. Run down, broken, dirty, long term scary clientele. Words can’t describe how bad this is. But, be warned, everything is laid out in the description. There is no toilet paper, no wifi, it’s an old broken down house. I honestly thought I was going to be assaulted in my sleep. There are no staff on premises. This really is a house for those who are basically homeless, which in itself is probably a great service, but this is certainly not a ‘backpackers’. I booked by mistake and paid 140AUD (most expensive stay of my travels) for something I couldn’t have imagined could be so bad. Please upgrade your facilities or take the property off Bookings.com!
• Russell (1/5): DO NOT BOOK it’s not worth it - I walked away and refused to stay at this place. It shouldn’t be on booking.com as an option . Not worth $10 a night let alone $60 Dirty, unclean, run down. Not healthy to stay there
• Warnakulasuriya (10/5): Exceptional - I like the place very much The staff is excellent

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