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  5. Reviews of The Downing Hostel

Reviews of The Downing Hostel 3 stars

253 Castlereagh Street, Sydney CBD, 2000 Sydney, Australia

#256 of 325 hotels in Sydney

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 159 hostel reviews

7.2

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    7.1

  • Comfort

    7.2

  • Location

    9.2

  • Facilities

    7.1

  • Staff

    8.9

  • Value for money

    7.7

  • Free WiFi

    7.9

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 24 April 2024

    6.0
    Lovely staff, unpleasant place
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It’s the sort of building that probably never looks clean because of its age and condition but the floors were always dirty, there was litter under my bed, the showers were a bit gross, the toilet and sinks are right in the dining area which feels wrong, and unfortunate I was there while there were very loud guests who came in drunk a few nights so my dorm didn’t get very good sleep. I also didn’t report this to staff so can’t comment on their process for handling such situations but they were very approachable :) The area is uncharacterful and you could be in any city anywhere in the world. Great food nearby tho.

    The staff were great and really friendly. Location is convenient for trains and buses. Well organised and supplied kitchen. Pillows were good :)

    Stayed in April 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 March 2024

    7.0
    Good spot!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Good location, good prices, comfy beds, cool people, free internet, open rooftop.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 February 2024

    8.0
    8/10, ONE OF THE BEST HOSTEL IN SYDNEY!
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Even if the kitchen is a little bit small, NO WORRIES. There's space for everything, in the shelves for your food and in the fridge (there are two fridges, no freezer). No air conditioning, there are big windows and a huge fan, so NO WORRIES, you will be fine here. ATTENTION: NO ELEVATOR. There are only three floors, not that many, but no elevator guys. Just to let you know!

    One of the cleanest hostel I've been in Sydney, and I've been in four. Rooms, Kitchen, Bathrooms and Shower, everything very clean and tidy. I highly recommend it for all of you. I'm with WHV and I stayed very well here.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 27 February 2024

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18-35 years only)
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    There was no living area other than the rooftop but that was no good in the rain. You had to sit in the corridors to socialise and the kitchen was small and could have been cleaner. Seemed like a lot of long term people staying too.

    Close to the train station and walking distance to the main attractions.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 17 February 2024

    7.0
    would recommend for short term stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 1 night

    there is no lift, but they are happy to help, it would deserve more deep cleaning, hot and cold water on the shower was not really working properly.

    comfortable bed, nice stuff, quiet room, good location.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 29 January 2024

    8.0
    I recomend if you are traveling
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The plug in was hard to connect at the toilet

    The location and the room are confortables.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 28 January 2024

    8.0
    Great location, great way to meet people
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18-35 years only)
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great value for money, staff friendly

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 21 November 2023

    6.0
    .
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18-35 years only)
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    the room smell bad, the bunk bed is squeaky.

    the location is convenient, the happy hour all day for hostel guest in the bar.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 16 November 2023

    6.0
    For a short-term stay, it's quite acceptable.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18-35 years only)
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The ambiance can be a bit noisy, requiring the use of earplugs for a peaceful sleep.

    1. The location is very convenient, making it easy to access various attractions. 2. The receptionists are friendly and accommodating. 3. The beer at the downstairs bar is delightful, and the room card discount is a nice perk.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 10 November 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18-35 years only)
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The air in the room was bad

    The location

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 8 November 2023

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 3 nights

    We specifically had requests for our rooms to be in certain spaces or locations, and it would have been ok if it wasn't anyway, however the hostel had responded with all my requests saying they had it all sorted the way we wanted. When we got there, the rooms were all over the place and my friends were split into different rooms. There was no message or anything prior to let us know of this change, and I was rather unhappy about this. When we got there, the hostel was full so we couldn't be rearranged and had to cop it, and we had no compensation.

    Location was very central, it was very close to the bus and train stations.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 October 2023

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    While the facilities were clean they were clearly old and not very well maintained, with some things being broken. The shower areas could have also done with a bench or something else to leave belongings on while showering

    Staff were extremely friendly, and a consistent effort was made to keep facilities clean

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 21 October 2023

    7.0
    For the price it's worth.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Unfortunately the place was missing paper towels and toilet paper frequently, the staff could check it more often and with more attention

    The location and price are the best.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 2 October 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 10 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Really great location Hostel events and dorm mates being social

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 September 2023

    7.0
    All good.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    -

    Good location.

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 25 August 2023

    7.0
    Brilliant location
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Lack of facilities, with only two toilets shared between too many people, and only three showers, all of which get cold halfway through a wash. Kitchen and rooftop close at 10. Rooftop is semi understanding but the kitchen isn’t. Events weren’t running which was a big shame as these were the main reason I booked the hostel.

    Brilliant location. Bar downstairs offering $6 beers to all hostel travellers was a big perk! Beds were very cozy. Plugs by each bed were ideal!

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 29 June 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The bed is shaky..

    Free to use laundry

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 18 March 2023

    7.0
    It was enjoyable but lonely, and I didn’t sleep well.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The sheets weren’t completely clean. The location was great but noisy at night.

    The staff were very nice, had good insight into stuff to do and food locations. The rooftop was very nice and good to hangout at, and there were fun activities on at night.

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 4 March 2023

    7.0
    amazing place - well located - value for money
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    honestly to be picky : no elevators

    well located and really good for the money it cost . they are doing some renovations . it would do be nice when they will finish

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 25 February 2023

    7.0
    Fun, friendly super helpful.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Could have been cleaner.

    Staff were great. Comfortable and friendly.

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 17 February 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    great location, right in the cbd spacious room bathrooms were clean

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 6 February 2023

    6.0
    Wasn’t terrible, but wouldn’t stay again
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 8 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    - the Wi-Fi wasn’t great - cleanliness was passable - I used the toilets on the stairs above reception when I first arrived and they were revolting. The bin was overflowing and the toilets were filthy. When I left a week later, the bin still hadn’t been emptied or the toilets cleaned. The cleaning elsewhere was much better but still not great - bits of rubbish etc under beds for days on end - the bathroom/toilet set-up is bizarre. There were two separate toilet rooms on my floor, neither of which had a sink in and the light didn’t work in one. The shower cubicles had sinks in for some reason, but absolutely nowhere to lay your things out - please, please add shelves! - No areas to sit and chill/call home, despite the space to do so. There’s is just the rooftop or the tables outside the kitchen. They could add chairs in the corridors and a sofa near the laundry - they’re doing work to a room above reception, so we were woken up a couple of days by drilling etc

    - the location is fairly central; not much of a walk to the main areas - my room was very spacious - the bed and linen were comfortable - free laundry - loved the movie night on the roof

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 January 2023

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 4-Bed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Bed was unconfortable, sheet was burnt and ripped, sink too small and located in the corridor next to the diner table

    Staff was very welcoming and helpful. Clean hostel with all the cutlery you need.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 24 January 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom (18 - 35 years only)
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Well equipped kitchen, good location, cleanliness

    Stayed in January 2023

Showing 1 – 25

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