Hostel Reviews

 
Hostel in Sydney Review Sydney Hostel Review

Please, if you have a moment, can you leave us a few thoughts about your stay here at the Jolly Swagman Sydney hostel.

We would really love to hear what you liked about the hostel, what you didn't like, and how we could improve the hostel for future visiting backpackers and travellers - we take your feedback seriously.

 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE REVIEW FORM

Jolly Swagman - 28 May 2009
 
 

Staff were friendly & informative. The hostel was great fun, lots of friendly people & a welcoming atmosphere.

Jane April 09 - 1 Apr 2009
 
 

The common areas were clean and welcoming. Our room was spacious with a fridge, TV, table and a sink, which was exactly what we were looking for! The place is quite nice, not too big, a lot of information about everything is available, there are computers, washing machines at every level, a small library, great location!

Cecile April 09 - 2 Apr 2009
 
 

What I like most is the atmosphere, my fellow backpackers, and everyone showing initiative to go have some fun. The staff is always available when you need them. They always help you in a personal fashion, even in the middle of the night, which is highly admirable.

Olaf April 09 - 28 May 2009
 
 

The Staff were friendly and sometimes funny, but always professional.

Bernardo March 09 - 28 May 2009
 
 

The Swagman exceded my expectations!

Euan Oct 08
 
 

This is one of the best hostels Ive stayed in! The staff where awesome and the people who stayed there were all up for a good time! I enjoyed every minute! I loved how clean it was and the kitchen was an awesome size! Would defo reccommend and come back!

Claire Dec 08
 
 

Loved EVERYTHING!! Thats why we came back to the Swagman family! :)

Lauren and Ruth Jan 09
 
 

Great atmosphere. Staff always polite and willing to help. Daily evening events well organised by staff with great energy!

Anon Jan 09
 
 

I liked the atmosphere around, its relaxing, comfortable and a great place to meet new people! And...the free breakfast ;)

Marjolein March 09
 
 

The staff just seemed to blend in with the guest which I thought was really nice!! Bathrooms were really clean. Was really impressed. The TV area was a bit dominating and loud. I really liked the outside dining area!! Nice and social.

Catherine Nov 08
 
 

The amenities, facilities and services are great.. Just keep it up.

Anon Sept 08
 
 

Welcoming environment, people at the front desk were always extremely friendly and helpful, activities and group outings to bars were helpful with meeting other travelers, pizza and beer night was fun as well. It was a bit cold in the hostel, but that was most likely due to the winter weather outside, it wasn't a huge problem.

Rachel Aug 08
 
 

Welcoming, good choice for first hostel in Oz. 

Sarah Feb 09
 
 

The staff was the friendliest staff we've had the whole time we stayed in Australia! I just loved the atmosphere.. the common area is where you meet SO many people..

Amanda March 09
 
 

Staff were fairly friendly and helpful, hotel atmosphere was great loved the music playing around dinner time in common area but sometimes played a bit too loud for people to hear the TV in the TV room.

Melissa Jan 09
 
 

Staff were very helpful - knew heaps about the local area and options on things to do. Encourage things like cooking meals together or pub outings - great for meeting travelers. Always saw the cleaners about - bathrooms were always kept tidy and washed daily.My only critisism would be the lack of pots in the kitchen, especially at night when everyone is cooking dinner.

Zanther Sept 08
 
 

The staff gave me the necessary information and helped me a lot to step-into my "work-and-travel-stay" in Australia. I especially liked the open common space and the "garden space" where it was easy to get in touch with other backpackers.

Anon Aug 07
 
 

Staff was really helpfull. first days in australia and told me all I wanted to know about the country, places to go, etc. really patient. Hostel was okay too, but a little small downstairs.

Malou Jan 09
 
 

Due to its multi-level (3 floors or 4 or so) structure, the upper floors of the building were quite silent, a very welcome effect in this party-area of Sydney. I really liked the fact that my room had a fridge, sink. I stayed here during Summer, and unfortunatly there is no air conditioning, only fans.

J.S. is a good hostel. I have seen better and worse all over the country, but I dont know others in Sydney. I guess amongst the hostels around the crowded Kings Cross it is one of the better ones. The reason I would not stay at J.S. again is only because I would not generally not stay at the Kings Cross area again, because backpacker culture nightlife is not my focus of travel.

Martin Feb 09
 
 

Was a lot cleaner than I expected, toilets and showers were pretty clean too. Seemed like a lot of interesting people were staying there and wish I got to stay a bit longer and make some new friends.

Ariane Oct 08
 
 

Very pleasant stay.

Michael Feb 08
 
 

It was heaps of fun, nice people, cool place to hang out! Good breakfast.

Erin June 08
 
 

Staff were very friendly and helpful, always full of different types and ages of people - meaning there is always someone to get on with! Very easy going atmosphere, places to chill out or people to party with. I had a great time here, was the first hostel I stayed in in Australia (picked at random) and over my 12 months I returned 3 times. 

Xmas and New Year were fantastic with an excellent group atmosphere. I am still in touch with several of the friends I made here, meeting up with them in other places abroad and back in the UK - will be back at sometime i'm sure!

Becky Nov 08
 
 

Loved the staff, loved the hostel and most importantly... LOVED the KITCHEN!

Anon May 08
 
 

Easy to meet new people.. nice area to sit outside.

Judith Jan 08
 
 

Atmosphere was fun and friendly. staff was very professional but also extremely welcoming and gave us great tips on what to do in the area. Facilities were very clean, even the bathrooms, only problem faced was the shower facilities, it was difficult to maintain the same temperature throughout showering.

Kayla Aug 08
 
 

Very helpful staff. Good vibe about the hostel. It was always clean and tidy. Excellent location, train station around the corner. Plenty of bars and cafes nearby. Kings Cross is a lovely area - far nicer than I expected. Could have bigger storage area for when you leave and come back.

Aine Feb 08
 
 

The location was great. Only a minutes walk to Kings Cross train station and restaurants.

Anon April 08
 
 

The staff were awesome. Very helpful and accommodating. The hostel atmosphere was very welcoming and friendly with lots of really nice people. We became friends with one of the main cleaners who stayed at the hostel. She was very friendly and a great employee. The cleaning was professional and quick. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. My friend and I were always included when the group went out. The only thing I found a problem with was lack of cutlery in the kitchen.

Anon Aug 08
 
 

On my first trip to Australia in 2005 I picked this hostel at random. The staff are friendly and will bend over backwards to help you. I went back 3 times in my 6 month trip. When I went back in March 2007 the staff remembered who I was (not sure if this is a good thing) and am arriving again in early July 2007. I will be checking into the Swagman again. It is a safe, clean and happy environment. Lots to do in the near locality, plenty of great deals at the local watering holes. An overall happy experience. Don't worry if you're travelling alone because after one night here you won't feel alone.

Stephen July 07
 
 

Everyone in the hostel gets to know each other, we all go out together and party together.. Swagman till I die!

Paul Feb 08
 
 

The most social hostel I've ever stayed at, anywhere in the world!

Will April 07
 
 

This was one of the best hostels I've ever stayed in and would recommend it. I stayed in a single room and it was like staying in a hotel but with all the character and fun of a good hostel. The room was clean and fresh, and the bathrooms were lovely.

Jennifer March 08
 
 

We liked Jolly Swagman, and do recommend it. Location in Kings Cross was convenient for central city etc. Great having a fridge in the room!

Rasmus March 08
 
 

We liked Jolly Swagman, and do recommend it. Location in Kings Cross was convenient for central city etc. Great having a fridge in the room!

John April 08
 
 

We had a lovely time here. We were upgraded to a twin room when our pick up was late. Nice and quiet room even though there was obviously going on for those who wanted to party. An excellent place to stay, if you want to see a slightly different side of Sydney.

Tamsin April 08
 
 

Everything fine. Clean, fun, quite neat rooms, good value for money. Upper class for Australia ;) I wish, other hostels before would have been like that.

Macfly Feb 08
 
 

Wicked hostel, we had so much fun!

Miss Bean Feb 08
 
 

Very nice atmosphere, helpful staff

Elise Feb 08
 
 

Party place - always something on, but if you don't fancy going out the whole time it's also cool. Free breakfast (with vegemite!) is good!

Mark Feb 08
 
 

Really helpful staff. They can't do enough for ya. Great location. Comfortable beds. Plenty of buzz in the place and lots going on all the time. Winner in my book!

Barry Dec 07
 
 

I enjoyed it very much and saw it is very much an student/young group type of accommodation, but makes it easy for traveling and cheap accommodation. It is also a place to meet other young people of all countries. Thanks again for the opportunity to have stayed there and would recommend it, especially for having a free breakfast, free pickup at the airport.

Anton Nov 07
 
 

We're coming back... ;)

Emilia Nov 07
 
 

Front Desk staff was incredible, had answers to any question you asked, very helpful

Mark Nov 07
 
 
This was one of the best hostels I've ever stayed in and would recommend it. I stayed in a single room and it was like staying in a hotel but with all the character and fun of a good hostel. The room was clean and fresh, and the bathrooms were lovely.
Anon
 
 
I like the fact that the hostel is not located beside a heavy traffic road. Staff are nice and easy to talk to all the time. 24 hour opened. Close to the railway station
Anon
 
 
Great staff, lots of fun people, free breakfast.
Anon
 
 
Very very nice, the best I saw in this period of holiday in Australia.
Anon
 
 
This hostel was very clean and tidy given that it accommodates quite a lot of people. The staff works hard to integrate people with various outings.
Anon
 
 
Free breakfast, fridge in room is an excellent idea, and that its open 24hours!
Central location, breakfast included, lockers in rooms, chilled out and easy going.
Anon
 
 
This hostel had a large front courtyard area where you could relax and meet people. Inside there is a nice tv room and a comfortable eating area, with a an accommodating kitchen. Most of all the staff were very outgoing an knowledgeable about things about all my touring questions, and even what to expect at the international airport on my way home.
Anon