Balmain Lodge, Balmain

...last minute).

Balmain Lodge was the cheapest accommodation and was directly next to Sydney and could be easily reached by bus, walking, a boat or cab. We could book as many nights as we liked and paid $55.00 a night for a double room, with kitchen facilities (sink microwave, cooker, cupboards) our own TV, DVD player, desk, telephone and lamp. We thought this was brilliant because they usually charged $125.00 a night! Additionally we ...
...looking type building then consider Balmain Lodge. The entrance to the building is very security tight and you require a separate key to get into just the building. The also have good fire safety and test the alarms once a week. (We know this because they got set off when the house next door had a BBQ and caused everybody to stand outside for half an hour waiting for an all clear). The building is set over three levels, we were on the ground level ... more

When planning our Big Aussie Trip my partner and I decided to use the website www.flightcentre.com.au to book last minute accommodation (12 hours to be precise) in Sydney. We wanted something that was going to be cheap for our backpacker budget and in a great travelling location to Sydney. (If you use www.flightcentre.com.au you will find good, quality accommodation reduced and the equivalent of backpacker rates compared to its normal charge per night if you book last minute).

Balmain Lodge was the cheapest accommodation and was directly next to Sydney and could be easily reached by bus, walking, a boat or cab. We could book as many nights as we liked and paid $55.00 a night for a double room, with kitchen facilities (sink microwave, cooker, cupboards) our own TV, DVD player, desk, telephone and lamp. We thought this was brilliant because they usually charged $125.00 a night! Additionally we was getting more for our money compared to other "backpacker accommodation" services we had used before.

Our first impressions of the lodge was not that great however, if you want a stylish and attractive place to stay this is not for you, however if like me you just need a bed to sleep in at night and do not mind a grey and office looking type building then consider Balmain Lodge. The entrance to the building is very security tight and you require a separate key to get into just the building. The also have good fire safety and test the alarms once a week. (We know this because they got set off when the house next door had a BBQ and caused everybody to stand outside for half an hour waiting for an all clear). The building is set over three levels, we were on the ground level for our duration, there was no lifts however, so if you are carrying a lot of luggage I would recommend asking for a ground floor room.

The room was very clean however on first entry, and had fresh sheets and towels for us. The room was cleaned once a week and the sheets changed for our duration. We had our own ground balcony and sliding doors, which allowed for a quick fire escape if necessary and air into the room. We also was next door to the laundry room (which was useful) and had to pay to use them and there was also internet access on the top floor.

The only disadvantage for me personally, was that we shared our bathroom with another room whom was occupied by guys. I found there was never any toilet roll left or the room was dirty after there usage (it was cleaned every morning by the lodge staff). However i believe the Lodge offers a variety of accommodation, either sharing or having your own bathroom and also provide permanent rental if you want to have a working holiday. When we asked to stay on at an extra week, they gave us the same rate we had and had no problems with us keeping the same room.

The Balmain Lodge is in the middle of "Darling Street" which is an enormous length to walk (i recommend taking the bus) and has a great number of shops (ranging from modern organic supermarkets to tiny and old antique shops), restaurants, houses, lodgings and great take outs. We were situated next to a great Chinese Takeout called "WOK ON IN". They cook your food for you individually and fresh, we found ourselves eating out from there nearly every night! There was also a great coffee house opposite which made "proper coffee" and a fantastic pizza takeout also. Furthermore the bus stop was right outside the lodge on both sides of the road which could get you to Sydney city central or to the airport.

Balmain itself is an attractive and old town. It has the first houses that Sydney was built with and has a very diverse and historical background. If you walk down the length of Darling Street (you can see the Sydney harbour bridge down most of it) you will come to the river and can get a boat to Sydney Harbour at a very cheap rate. On our first night there we did this and when we travelled underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge which was all lit up at night it was very exciting. (Please see my other Sydney reviews including me climbing the bridge)

Furthermore we found this accommodation good because there were no noisy nightclubs or bars in Balmain and was incredibly quiet after 11 o'clock, but were in direct link on the bus route to them if we wanted to go.

I would utmost recommend this lodging to anybody. It was clean, cheap, in the best location because of its facilities and travel links and made our stay in Sydney fantastic. My partner and I are planning to go back to Sydney in a few years and are planning to re-stay with Balmain Lodge. So if you're contemplating staying in Sydney and want great accommodation give Balmain Lodge serious consideration for your stay.  

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