Just a great place to chill (Chillis Backpackers (Darwin, Australia))

Member Name: damsmi2002

Product:	Chillis Backpackers (Darwin, Australia)
Date:	13/02/09 (179 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Relaxing, good location

Disadvantages: One jacuzzi is always cold

Chillis Backpackers is a really nice hostel located in the town centre of Darwin. As with my other review on Melealuca I could only stay here for a maximun of four nights due to it being peak season, and although this was a pain, it isnt an issue as it was the same with all hostels.

As I stated, Chillis is located in the centre of the town of Darwin, whch is great as you have a supermarket right next door to you. I have stayed in places before where you have a 30minute walk to the supermarket so this is fantastic. It is however about a 30minute walk to the beach and casino, some people wouldnt like this but I really enjoyed the walk in the morning sun and it was always fun.

The hostel itself has an extremely laid back atmosphere, and is very sociable. I stayed in a four bed dorm and was sharing with a taiwanese and two german guys and we all got on great. The rooms themselves are a little small considering there are four people staying in them, and there are no lockers in the rooms to put your belongings, but you get the impression that it doesnt matter as everybody is friendly. Some places you wouldnt trust to leave even your clothes lying around but this had a nicer vibe to it.

The reception was great too, and in it there was a large computer rom with about 20 computers. Theonly downside to this was that it shut at about 10pm, so you couldnt get any help after that. Before they shut though they would always help with planning your activities and travel as they had a designated travel desk and I foudn this really useful. You could also come down here in the morning and get free breakfast if you wanted it!

There was a medium size kitchen, but a huge seating area which overlooked the main street and was nce to sit out at night and eat. You had to leave your keys as a deposit for the cooking equipment which was a little annoying as there wasnt anything left in the kitchen to use if you just wanted to make something quickly. There wasa big TV in the seatingarea and this was a good place to generally socialise.

Across the other side you had two jacuzzi's and another seating area, which again was great for meeting people. The jacuzzi's were big enough for abotu 6 people, but due to their position only one of them was ever in the sun, meaning that one was usually packed and the other was empty as nobody wanted to freeze in it!

There was no alcohol allowed and no bar on site, which meant that all drinking had to bedont off site. I liked this for a change as it helped with the very laid back atmosphere and allowed you to really get to know peope. You could hear the rowdyness of Melealuca hostel across the road and I just felt like I was in a much nicer place.

The cost of the four bed dorn was $29, usually $30 but I had a discount card, which again was usualy for the time of year in Darwin. There were many other rooms available and I overheard a guy ask for a double room just for himself which was $45, this was very cheap, the cheapest that I had heard anywhere actually, so it mght be worth asking their prices before jumping straight into a dorm with a load of strangers.

There were also a male, female and mixed shower room on all three levels so there was never a reason not to have a shower and you never found yourself waiting around for one to become free.

Overall this was by far my favourite hostel in Darwin as it had a much nicer atmosphere to many others and wasnt centred around drinking as many are. This made a nice change. I wouldnt reccommend staying here if you are more of a party animal though as you may get a bit bored!

Summary: A great place if you are after a more relaxing atmosphere