Hobnobbing in Hobart (Hotels in Tasmania in general)

Member Name: zoe_page_1

Product:	Hotels in Tasmania in general
Date:	24/10/05 (90 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Central and cheap, and reasonably clean

Disadvantages: Worn around the edges

Central City Backpackers, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia


There are not a lot of cheap accommodation options in Hobart, so the choice invariably comes down to availability rather than preference. I was in town for just 2 nights, and wanted somewhere central and clean, but as I'm travelling off and on for the next 4 months, I didn't want to blow my budget.

Central City Backpackers is not a misleading name as it is located in the centre of the city. It overlooks a shopping precinct at the front and a cathedral at the back, and is within easy walking distance of the main bus terminal (2 minutes), the main shopping area (2 minutes) and the harbour (10 minutes).

Getting there is easy as the airport shuttle bus drops off just around the corner. There are 2 entrances, one for daytime and a different one for at night that is kept secure by a keycode issued by reception on check in. Though the back entrance is up a little alleyway, it was well lit and the main street was in view at all times.

On checking in I was issued with the door code and a key for my room, for which I had to pay a $10 cash deposit. Other people checking in who were travelling en masse decided to manage with one key between a few of them, but this made no sense to me given that it was a refundable deposit, not a payment, that was required, and the inconvenience that comes with not having your own key.

The hostel takes up several floors, each equipped with communal bathroom areas as no rooms are en suite. The bathrooms showed signs of wear but were clean enough - the female one nearest to my room had two showers with decent sized enclosed drying / dressing areas, two toilets and a sink. Towels could be hired from reception for $1, but I assume these would be hotel-sized ones, and that you would ideally need a few of them each.

The rooms themselves were sparsely furnished but did have the odd 'luxury' like waste bins and mirrors. Mine came with two low single beds, one desk chair (but no desk or table) and an old wardrobe. The window was open when I got there which was nice as I hate stuffy rooms that smell of previous occupants, but I promptly dragged it shut as open windows, especially at bed time, lead to one of my less favourite things: mosquitoes.

Downstairs the communal area behind reception included a lounge with TV and a stash of magazines, several internet terminals which were not often used, probably due to their age and the cost, a kitchen with all the basic utensils and a small dining area. There were also numerous racks of leaflets and brochures, and information on hostels in other parts of the country for those going all round Oz. I spent some time in the lounge on both nights and was continuously engaged in conversation by random strangers including a rather charming older lady whose son lives in Antractica which is, it seems, even colder than Tasmania. In general the clientele were older than I had expected - I was typically one of the younger ones and I left my teenage years quite a while ago.

Rates are reasonable: dorms are between $20 and $25 per person and private rooms range from $46 to $56 per room depending on the number of people. I paid $46 per night for sole occupancy of a twin bedded room, which at current exchange rates is 20 GBP per night. Bedding is not included and can be hired for $1 - $3, and since Hobart is a cool place I would recommend the more expensive option as it includes a warm quilt as well as sheets.

After 2 nights there I decided the hostel was both quiet and safe. I rarely heard people on the corridor outside my room, and in the communal areas people were generally courteous and calm, not rowdy as they can be in some places. The hostel is a very basic one but the location could not be beaten, and for a couple of nights, those on a budget could do a lot worse.

Website: www.centralcityhobart.com

Summary: Value for money but not for those in search of luxury items like en suites and in-room TVs