Brisbane · Australia
Chill Backpackers
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Hostelworld
There were bed bugs and everything in the kitchen is dirty
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Confirmed Booking.com
One of the receptionists is one of the rudest people I've ever met and she clearly hates people and her job. She has never been friendly with me or others and she does her job really poorly. Examples.. 'Hi, would it be possible to refill the soap in the bathroom please ? It's been out for days'. Her answer: 'Ask the reception' (I met her in the corridor. Or 'Hi, I've just moved to a new dorm and my roommates told me they had some bed bugs bites when sleeping on the bed I am supposed to take..' Her answer 'They are crazy. There are no bed bugs. We checked the bed the other day and it's ok'. Half hour later someone came to change the mattress -_- The two terraces are nice but occupied constantly by a gang of French people that spend their time drinking, eating and filling the space with trash and being loud and not inclusive.
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Possible Google Maps
Mauvaise accueil personnel désagréable et punaises de lit... le cocktail parfait pour un backpack catastrophique
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Vibe Analysis
Chill Backpackers works best as a bare-bones Brisbane crash pad with a handy location near transport, eateries, Coles, and the stadium. The rooftop terrace and balconies are the clearest upside, with city views and outdoor space for eating or taking a breather. The hostel is very basic, and the rough edges are not subtle: small dark rooms, worn bedding, thin mattresses, limited storage, no privacy curtains, and power points that may be far from beds. Some rooms have poor ventilation, non-opening windows, strong smells, or air conditioning that can be too cold and hard to control. The kitchen is available but can be cramped, dirty, and short on working hobs, utensils, fridge space, or seating when it rains. Bathrooms and showers are a major weak spot, with dirty floors, tiny cubicles, old shower curtains, drainage problems, missing shelves or hand-drying options, and mixed bathroom setups that may not suit everyone. This is not a strong social pick. Staff interactions can swing from friendly and helpful to rude or unhelpful, and the overall atmosphere can feel flat, uncomfortable, or sketchy. Treat it as a cheap, central bed only if the rooftop and location matter more than cleanliness, comfort, privacy, and security.
Signals to check
- Cleanliness is a serious concern across rooms, bathrooms, kitchen areas, bedding, carpets, and shared spaces.
- Security can be weak: lockers may be unavailable, luggage storage may be in an open garage area, and theft concerns are serious enough to plan around.
- Rooms can be cramped, dark, smelly, poorly ventilated, noisy, and short on storage, shelves, curtains, lights, and convenient outlets.
- Bathrooms and showers can be dirty, tiny, wet, mixed-gender, badly drained, and missing basic practical features.
- The kitchen may be too small for the number of beds, with limited equipment, awkward cleaning times, and unreliable access to basic cooking space.
- Service is inconsistent, and check-in, refunds, communication, rules, and staff tone may be frustrating.