Brisbane · Australia
Summer House Brisbane
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Hostelworld
The hostel had bed bugs and cockroaches in the from. Beds were extremely uncountable and there were regular power cuts and there was no hot water at one point. Very minimal kitchen space and there were people urinating off the top of the balcony on one occasion. Stay anywhere else other than here.
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Confirmed Hostelworld
Not very clean with bed bugs. Could use some renovation or maintenance. Beds were very uncomfortable.
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Confirmed Google Maps
Terrible. It was painful to be there, rude staff, dirty place, BEDBUGS!!!! We couldn't get rid of the bedbugs for several months after that!!! They bit me everywhere and I'm allergic to them. People staying at the place are crazy. Worst place ever. A nightmare.
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Confirmed Google Maps
Bed bugs!!! I had pimples and itching all over my body for 10 days because of the dirty sheets.... No refunds when you want to leave early while the homestay is full to the brim! The kitchen is dirty and there is no real space in this place A money machine
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Confirmed Google Maps
The two stars are mainly for the people I’ve met here rather than the hostel and staff. It’s a good place to meet people with lots going on. Unfortunately there’s a problem with rude and sarcastic staff. The pool also hasn’t been cleaned all week even though dogs were allowed to swim one evening. I also had a problem with bed bug bites - I asked staff to check my room which they said they’d do but it was very clear that evening that nobody had been in to have a look. I’ve enjoyed my week and met great people, but would choose to stay elsewhere next time.
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Confirmed Google Maps
Horror Hostel - staying there is thread to your health and well-being. The First room given to us without any windows or air ventilation had a strange smell, which made it hard to breathe after 10min we stayed in there. Later we were told that was because the previous guest smoked drugs in there. The Bedsheets weren’t changed and had stains. The Mattress had red and yellow spots all over the place, which was truly disgusting. Luckily the helpful staff put us in a dorm room with windows, but the hygiene and general condition of the facility wasn’t much better. Mattress and general cleanness was still unacceptable. Would never stay there again, only positive things to note are the very helpful staff and the full refund we got. The Facilities are in disrepair and hygiene standards are not met at all. All in All it was a shocking experience and I really hope I didn‘t get bed bugs or else from my one night staying there.
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Confirmed Google Maps
ONCE MORE AGAIN AS THEY DELETED MY REVIEW horrible horrible horrible. Dont even try to stay there. Bed bugs in the rooms cockroaches in the kitchen. Threatened me of calling police and didnt refund my key deposit. Just bunch of scams. They were also contacting other backpackers in Brisbane trying to stalk me where I was. Its also funny because they tried to contact backpackers in Sydney where I stay right now to get me out of my accomodation :D i already reported them to current affairs as I am not only one who experienced that. Oi!!! There is nothing like no refund policy in Australia. If you dont get your service you paid for you have full rights for refund. Eventhough it will cost me lot more than I will gain I will put this through the QCAT as these muppets messed up with wrong person!!!!
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Confirmed Google Maps
The only redeeming quality of this hostel is the politeness of most of the staff. I’ve been travelling and living in hostels for over a year now and never stayed in a hostel with bed bugs before. Upon arriving two girls in my room were busy washing bin bags of their clothes and sheets, when asked they confirmed they had bites all over their bodies from bed bugs. When I went to sleep I also woke up with the same. When reception were initially informed the girls said the response was “it must have been brought from other hostels and places like noosa”. Both me and the two girls had just arrived from different hostels in noosa, neither of which had bed bugs and nothing was mentioned by anyone about them. The cleaning response was to cut off the plastic covering of the mattress and put a new one on, even though the bed bugs were furrowed inside the mattress, this would only contain them for a while.? Following this the reception opens very late in the day. Meaning, despite having a flight to catch at 7:30am, there was no way of me obtaining my $25 dollars key deposit back, nothing was mentioned of this beforehand. Apparently it is advised to hand it in the night before, if you have to leave in the morning. Which makes absolutely no sense as, who would let me in and out of my room that night? This hostel is branded ( by the hostel ) as ‘clean’. It is far from it. A shame because the potential and staff are decent and friendly. Overall very disappointing and the worst hostel I’ve stayed in for over a year across Australia. A nice rooftop area, and air con are about the only highlights. Thought the air con is automatically set so low, unless you’re in bed under the covers, you have goosebumps on your arms, unable to change temperature. Will not be recommending to anyone, and will advise against going unless you want to wake up in the morning covered in bites. The least you expect from a hostel is a clean bed.
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Confirmed Google Maps
Absolutely shocking smells has bed bugs the locals call it the dungeon cuz it has bad lighting and the rooms stink beds are really uncomfortable the manger work the front desk and he's not very nice. I'd rather be homeless than stay here again.Worst hostel in Brisbane. Stay away.
HostelPunk native reviews
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Vibe Analysis
Summer House Brisbane has a rooftop with city views, and that is the clearest bright spot. It gives the hostel its best social angle: BBQ nights, pancake Sundays, daily activities, and a place to meet people when the small indoor areas feel maxed out. The location works well for Roma Street, buses, trains, and getting around Brisbane, though it may still feel a bit removed from the main tourist drag. Beds can have curtains, plugs, lockers, and AC in certain dorms, and bathrooms can be clean or decent in better rooms. The tradeoff is heavy. The hostel often feels cramped, with a tiny kitchen, limited seating, packed fridges, and common areas that may close at night. Rooms can be small, windowless, hot or over-cooled, noisy, and short on storage or bedside basics. This is more of a budget survival base with a rooftop than a smooth social hostel. It may suit a short stay near transport if the price is right, but it is a risky pick for sleep, space, flexible service, or a relaxed solo-traveler vibe.
Signals to check
- Kitchen space is a major weak point and can be hot, crowded, and hard to use at meal times.
- Rooms may be windowless, cramped, noisy, or uncomfortable, with uneven AC and limited storage.
- Refunds, deposits, key charges, strict rules, and staff handling can be frustrating.
- Cockroaches, cleanliness problems, stolen food, poor Wi-Fi, and bathroom issues may be part of the deal.
- Common areas may close at night, so late food, water, or social space can be limited.