Wake Up! Sydney Central - Youth Hostels, Sydney

The Wake Up Hostel had been recommended to me by my friends at Gap Year.com.
I booked my bed well in advance as I was spending my 2 weeks in Sydney over Christmas and New Year.

I have to say I was very pleased with the price over this festive period as a lot of other hostels and accommodation decided to bump up prices and take advantage of the stranded unorganised backpackers.

PRICES:

10 bed ...
...found the staff at The Wake Up Hostel very helpful and friendly, every morning and evening you are given an update on the events taking place over the loud speaker system 'Wake Up, Wake Up going on today we have….' Can be heard at about 8.30am not so great if you have a hang over!
When I was a little bit stressed around New Years Eve they let me give the hostel number to my family back in the UK to call and chat to me which was really nice ... more

The Wake Up Hostel had been recommended to me by my friends at Gap Year.com.
I booked my bed well in advance as I was spending my 2 weeks in Sydney over Christmas and New Year.

I have to say I was very pleased with the price over this festive period as a lot of other hostels and accommodation decided to bump up prices and take advantage of the stranded unorganised backpackers.

PRICES:

10 bed dorm $28 a night, 8 bed dorm $30 a night, 6 bed dorm $34 a night and 4 bed dorm $36 a night.

ROOMS:
I have to say my first impressions where not great, I walked into the room and gasped! Not an inch of floor space could be seen, I didn't even have room to put my bag down. Rubbish was everywhere, I suppose for 14 bed dorm it was to be expected but I have to admit it was quite a shock.
I decided to go down to reception and say something about the room, i was told that the cleaners where due the next day and that they tell everyone to put everything they want on the beds and anything left on the floor is then chucked out.
The room was ok for 14 beds, all wee bunk beds around the sides of the room, a locker each was also provided for each person. I personally like to keep everything in my bag but a lot of backpackers tend to empty their contents all over the floor or under the bed and that is where it remains.

BATHROOMS:
I have to say I was very impressed with the bathrooms in the hostel, they where a good size and very clean. I also really liked the security provided. You can only enter the bathrooms using your swipe card.

KITCHEN:
I have to say the kitchen was a major let down in this hostel, it just was not big enough to cope with the number of guests, especially over the Christmas and New Year period.
The fridges where literally jammed packed and the few stoves that worked where always full.
I have to admit I was so put off by the kitchen that I ate pout most of the time and ended up spending more money than o thought I would which was a shame really.

SECURITY:
I had heard good things about the security in this hostel and I have to admit that it was very good compared to others I have stayed in. Every guest is given a swipe card to gain entrance to the building social areas and their room. This card also operates the lifts and will only give you access to the floor you are staying on which is really good.

STAFF:
I found the staff at The Wake Up Hostel very helpful and friendly, every morning and evening you are given an update on the events taking place over the loud speaker system 'Wake Up, Wake Up going on today we have….' Can be heard at about 8.30am not so great if you have a hang over!
When I was a little bit stressed around New Years Eve they let me give the hostel number to my family back in the UK to call and chat to me which was really nice as not all hostels will let you do this.

TRIPS:
At this hostel lots of free trips are on offer which is a great way to get around and see things as well as making new friends.

Coogee - Bondi Beach Walk - This was a great free trip! About 25 of us met in reception at 11am and then set off on a great day out! We got the bus from the hostel to Coogee Beach where we stopped for lunch. We then re grouped and set off on a beautiful walk together stopping for a swim along the way. The guide from the hostel was full of information stopping to point out points of interest along the way.
The walk took about 4 hours and was a great afternoon, when we finished we all headed back to the hostel were we treated to a free drink at the bar.

Palm Beach Trip - I really wanted to do this trip but was unable to too due to Christmas and New Year. Every Tuesday Home and Away film at Palm Beach so this hostel gets everyone together and they head over to watch the filming. The cast and crew are apparently really friendly and often come over to say hello.

Christmas Day - I happened to be staying at this hostel over Christmas and I am really glad I did as we had such a great time. For just $25 each they organised a Christmas meal at Bondi Beach for about 200 people.
The meal was served in two shifts and we where treated to a selection of cold meats and salads followed by Christmas pudding and mince pies. It was such a great atmosphere; we had party hats and crackers! It was bring your own booze, so if you wanted to drink then you could.
The plan was to then spend the afternoon drinking on the beach; however drinking has now been banned from the beach so we were all a bit stuck with what to do.
The hostel very kindly stepped in with free tickets to the Sunburnt Christmas Party an organised music event the normally costs $75 each. It was a great day and one I will always remember.

New Years Eve- The hostel also arranged a good spot on New Years Eve and anyone who wanted to join them could meet in reception at 11am and head down together.

SIDE BAR:
The Wake Up Hostel has it's very own bar that anyone can go to, you don't just have to stay at the hostel.
I have to say I spent most f my time at this bar as it was so convenient. They provided great entertainment over Christmas wit bands and great DJ's. In the day time the Side Bar also has a café and food available at reasonable prices.

In conclusion: if you want a good party hostel to meet young like minded people then this is the best place to stay! I have to say I had a great time at this hostel over Christmas and new year, but I did not get much sleep! Xxx 

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