Bed bug reports for Elizabeth Hostel — HostelPunk
Elizabeth Hostel

Melbourne · Australia

Elizabeth Hostel

Punk Score
8% GODAWFUL
High confidence 1,180 reviews
Seriously don't stay here please
Bed bug reports Showing 37 reports · 4 in the last 12 months
  1. Possible Hostelworld

    Établissement catastrophique, à fuir absolument. Punaises de lit, odeur nauséabonde, cafards dans les chambres : l’hygiène est désastreuse. L’établissement est également fréquenté par des personnes très louches : un coloc avait un couteau de cuisine sous son lit et un autre est rentré ivre à 2h du matin en nous insultant. À éviter absolument, Nous avions réservé pour 10 nuits, nous en avons fait que 2 !!

  2. Confirmed Google Maps

    First, the Chinese girl at reception spoke very clear Australian English and explained everything properly during check-in. She was professional and helpful. Just don't expect luxury-level hospitality — this is a budget place. I paid $92 per night after tax, which is very affordable for something right in the heart of Melbourne CBD. For that price, I think expectations need to be realistic. This isn't a $500+ per night hotel. Our couple room was clean enough. No bed bugs, the bed was fine, and we were given 2 pillows and 1 blanket. Basic, but adequate for a short stay. Yes, there are quite a lot of stairs — but it's an older building. If you need a lift, this may not suit you, but it wasn't a problem for us. The shared bathroom was clean and the shower water was good. They also provide luggage storage before check-in and after check-out, which is actually very helpful. Overall, it's a simple, budget accommodation in a great CBD location. If you expect luxury, you'll be disappointed. If you want something affordable and central for a short stay, it does the job.

  3. Confirmed Google Maps

    Despite the good location and, in my case, friendly reception staff, the accommodation itself is not suitable. It does not match the photos, at least not anymore. As you go upstairs, the place smells strongly of damp and feels very old. I stayed one night with my brother. The room had no window, there is no age limit in shared rooms, and the sheets did not seem clean, so I slept in my street clothes. The next day I noticed bites that are still present after 4 days, which suggests possible fleas or bed bugs. I didn’t cook, but the kitchen is not welcoming. One of the women’s showers is very exposed to the kitchen entrance, with no privacy. Honestly, the worst hostel I’ve stayed in. If you’re a woman traveling alone, for your own safety, don’t stay here—even if it’s cheap.

  4. Confirmed Google Maps

    There are bedbugs! They don't give you a redund. Everything stinks! Worst Hostel ever!

  5. Confirmed Google Maps

    I think it’s better than what the reviews here say. It’s improved a lot since the first time I came here After a deep cleaning, there are no bed bugs, no smell, and no mold in my room. The bathroom and the fridge are also clean - But there are so many crazy people and some receptionists are unkind(especially one with a short haircut shaped like an egg sushi)

  6. Confirmed Google Maps

    About the cleaning of bed is really awefull. So many bed bugs, my body itchy and lots of bumps.

  7. Confirmed Google Maps

    I stayed there for 2 weeks (yes I’m stupid and had no money) First of all I have to say that I’ve been travelling A LOT in 15 different countries in my life. I’ve seen it all and let me tell u this is the worst hostel I’ve been in my life. Guys from what I can tell u is that after these 2 weeks I wish I slept outside the street instead of in this hotel. I got bedbugs bites all over my body and freets ( u can see a photo) It’s been 1 month already that I’m not at this hotel anymore and my doctor said the scars will never fade away…. NO security, really unwelcoming atmosphere and bad smell, a lot of bugs. When I told them I got bitten and blood came out of the bites they just gave me a cream and said that’s all we can do lol. They got the cream already in bulk guys that means they are already aware of the Situation of course hahah. I told my friend about it and he said he was in this hostel 1 year ago and had the same problem with bedbugs… So that means 1 year past and they still didn’t fixed it. It’s NOT WORTH FOR THIS PRICE GUYS.

  8. Confirmed Google Maps

    OMG, I feel Itchy after rest here and at 3 AM I find several bed bugs at bed (I booked at woman room with 8 bed) actually the room quite clean at first look, its not look like man room with smelly room. Im really surprisingly to found it

  9. Confirmed Google Maps

    Cockroaches, bed bugs, and homeless blokes hanging out in the common areas. I've been to some pretty rough hostels in the past, but this one is probably the worst. Nasty nasty.

  10. Possible Google Maps

    C’est la pire expérience en hostel de ma vie ! Fuyez absolument cet endroit, c’est très sale avec une odeur horrible. On se sent vraiment pas en sécurité, j’ai même trouvé une punaise de lit. J’avais réservé quatre nuits, mais je suis parti au bout de la deuxième, ils n’ont même pas voulu me rembourser. C’est une honte, à fuir absolument !

  11. Confirmed Google Maps

    Bed bugs, dirty

  12. Possible Google Maps

    Sehr schlecht. Alles stinkt, das Personal ist total unfreundlich, die eigene Zimmertür war nur ganz schwer zu öffnen und wir haben Bettwanzenstiche am ganzen Körper bekommen. Zudem sind während unseres Aufenthalts viele betrunkene alte Menschen dort gewesen. Insgesamt herrscht dort eine total gruselige Atmosphäre!

  13. Possible Google Maps

    – Un vrai cauchemar ! Je ne sais même pas comment décrire l’horreur que j’ai vécue dans cet hôtel. C’est un taudis. Dès mon arrivée, j’ai été accueilli par un personnel désagréable et indifférent. Aucun sourire, aucune envie de rendre service. Mais le pire restait à venir… En entrant dans ma chambre, des rats et des souris se baladaient tranquillement sur le sol, sous les meubles… j’ai failli vomir. J’ai essayé de me faire une idée du reste, mais là, c’était encore pire : des punaises de lit partout. Des piqûres dès la première nuit ! C’est une honte d’offrir un endroit aussi insalubre à des clients ! Et ce n’est même pas tout… On a l’impression que cet hôtel est un repaire de drogue : des sachets de produits inconnus traînaient dans les coins des chambres, et des gens venaient frapper à ma porte à toute heure de la nuit, visiblement en quête de quelque chose. La police est intervenue à plusieurs reprises pendant mon séjour, soit pour des bagarres, soit pour d’autres raisons douteuses. Ça criait dans les couloirs, des portes s’ouvraient en pleine nuit… C’était comme vivre dans un film de mauvais genre. En plus, le nettoyage est inexistant. Le linge est sale, l’odeur dans la chambre est insupportable, et j’ai trouvé des poils et de la moisissure un peu partout. Franchement, je suis parti au bout de 5 heures, mais je n’arrive toujours pas à comprendre comment cet endroit peut être ouvert. Ne mettez surtout pas les pieds ici. C’est un endroit dangereux, mal entretenu, et vous risquez d’attraper bien plus que de simples souvenirs de vacances. À fuir à tout prix.

  14. Possible Google Maps

    Sale à mort dégagez au plus vite de cette hostel c’est affreux sale et il y a des souris et des punaise de lit il n’ont pas voulue nous rembourser nos deux nuit alors que nous avons pas pue dormir dans cette hôtel

  15. Confirmed Hostelworld

    I should have read the reviews. I didn't toy detriment. Music be the worst hostel in Australia. Really bad. Dodgy characters, some clearly with mental health issues, I was bitten all over the shoulders by bed bugs, the kitchen stunk of boiled cabbage, guess what the toilets stunk of......Immediately bought a padlock for my stuff. Cippers came in talking to people. As other people have mentioned more like a halfway house and slum for the homeless. Just stay away.

  16. Confirmed Google Maps

    Bites by bed bugs. Although I ask to change the room/bed, the bed they provided me was also with full of bugs when I realized.

  17. Confirmed Hostelworld

    Really just don't go there. Bed bugs, creepy atmosphere and weird people.

  18. Confirmed Google Maps

    Bed bugs!!! There are bed bugs everywhere. Hotel staff know which rooms have problem rooms and have bed bugs, but they will put you in those problem rooms. When you react to them, their attitude is also very indifferent and they don’t think it’s a big deal. They won't let you refund, they will just let you change rooms, and then arrange for others to stay in your original room. And when you move to a new place, you will find that bed bugs have taken over your luggage and they will follow you to the next place. You need to spend a lot of time and money to get rid of these bugs. There were so many bed bugs in their room 208 that the ceiling was covered with blood stains from the killed bed bugs.

  19. Confirmed Google Maps

    (I never write reviews) My bed was INFESTED with bed bugs. I could hardly sleep. I woke up with over 50 bites. Legs, stomach, chest, arse, back, arms, hands, face. They were all swollen by the end of the next day. The overnight front desk agent was extremely helpful, I was given $7 for laundry and they moved my room (it was 11:30pm when I found the bug, I couldn't switch hostels). When I went to do my laundry I saw a mouse leave the pantry and scurry into someone's room! There are some really creepy old guys so just keep your distance. I was taken aback by some forwardness, you dont have to be friendly to people you don't know! The bathrooms were fairly clean. The loungeroom couches smell like BO. You need to borrow cutlery from reception for the kitchen upstairs which is wierd. I paid for 3 nights, was refunded 2. It's the cheapest hostel in melbourne. It wasn't worth it, spend the extra money and go elsewhere.

  20. Confirmed Google Maps

    Worst decision of my life. Wasted money. People banging on your doors. Shouting, drug addicts roaming in the hallways. Bed bugs. Please please don’t waste your money here. Staff is so bad with customer service. Very rude.

  21. Confirmed Google Maps

    The impression is that many people live there rather than stay. So you might not be able to use a locker in a room. The people are clearly different from other hostels. Here's why "bed bugs" are in the reviews. They don't change the bed sheets. They only organise the pillows and quilts. I saw the scene of that. I was so shocked. How disgusting it is. Furthermore, the only air conditioning is a fan. Corridors and rooms smell bad.

  22. Confirmed Hostelworld

    NOT a backpackers hostel. Had bed bugs and ticks, homeless people, not clean, patronising and rude staff, very small, no facilities, have to pay for wifi Honestly worst hostel i’ve ever stayed in would never go again.

  23. Confirmed Hostelworld

    i've never seen anything like it! the aggressive lady at reception. I asked for my sheets to be changed because they hadn't been changed the day before, and the staff got angry about it. Safety was another issue, with dr*g addicts, people shooting up and drinking wine in the shared lounge... The only positive point is that the showers and toilets are reasonably clean. On the other hand, bedbugs are present in the rooms. As for the kitchen... very unsanitary...

  24. Confirmed Google Maps

    I was attacked by bed bugs. I had to go to the dr to get cream and tablets to help. All they did was give me $7 to help pay for dry cleaning as all of my stuff needs to be cleaned. Terribly dirty and unhelpful.

  25. Confirmed Google Maps

    *Bed bugs*... After moving rooms 2 times I've encountered what I now know as bed bugs, great👍🏻 that the carpet was replaced👀 horrible👎🏻 bed change. please compensate for my laundry, from another laundromat if possible, now learning that they're present as soon as I leave my stay I need to have everything professionally washed to try save it. These things are all I have so *I need it saved*... Please help, I have never experienced bed bugs before this is both sad and concerning to me. Lovely staff here though, to any future guests reading this bad news so far- the staff provide adamant great service also good cleaning schedule 👍🏻✨. Sometimes too, they have more work ahead of them cleaning wise than they should. I am so happy with how the place is run just so let down by all these bites!! Second time tonight asking front office what can be done. To be fair I'm not present during most of the day to see what they can do & have only told the night shift thus far because of that, these 2 times the past 3 days. Thanks🙏🏻✨🤟🏻 Edit: this time swiftly & quickly was helped to clean up everything beg bugs wise, including mattress and blanket and pillows and acknowledged that my washing need be done also. Just make sure you have means to get medicine & things like lavender essential oil to help in case of this happening when you visit.

  26. Confirmed Google Maps

    日本人は絶対に来ちゃだめ!!盗られる人だと盗られるよ! 寝ている間に注射打たれたらたまったもんじゃ無いでしょ。まだvillageの方が安全 Here is good location? No, it's a little bit far from central and club. Service is good ? No,we don't need welcome from bedbugs. Rooms is good ? No, it's homeless shelter.

  27. Possible Google Maps

    C'est la pire auberge qui existe ! Absolument tout est sale et dans un état pitoyable ! Il y a des punaises de lit dans toutes les chambres, et la population ici laisse vraiment à désirer ! C'est en plein coeur de Melbourne et pas cher mais fuyez cette auberge à tout prix !

  28. Possible Google Maps

    No doy ninguna estrella. Es lejos lo peor de lo peor en Melbourne. Tiene buena ubicación pero el lugar es deplorable. Es muy sucio y todo el tiempo huele mal. Tenía reserva para dos semanas y no alcance a estar una. La cama tenía chinches y me vi afectada por ello y la chica que dormía a mi lado también. No se hacia aseo ni en baños ni dormitorios y lo digo por que lo vi. La señora encargada de la limpieza literal entraba al baño y se marchaba. No desinfectaba y el olor era insoportable. Lo pasé muy mal ahí. De La cocina mejor ni les cuento. No se los recomiendo, pero si no tienes más opciones compren un saco de dormir y se tiran en la calle... lea aseguro que esta más limpio que esa hostal.

  29. Confirmed Google Maps

    A real disaster what a shame, the worst hostel in all of Australia. There are bed bugs everywhere and mouses, after complaining the second time to reception, I asked for a refund, they just said "would you like to leave?" nothing else, what impunity, what a shame, they didn't want to give me refund, it's really shameful. I will also contact the health control, I hope they will soon have a health control, this hostel must pay the consequences of its deliberate negligence.

  30. Confirmed Google Maps

    Very old Hostel, complete with creaking floor boards, not clean at all. Room rates are double and a half on weekends, with nothing different from what it was during the week. This Hostel is more like a Homeless Shelter, plenty of inappropriate things happen, like people getting kicked for sleeping on the lounge in reception area. Long-term residents are not friendly. No lift available, so not good for people with disabilities, even check in is on the first floor, then have to lug heavy bags up more flights of stairs to get into a room on third floor. Used needles in the bathroom. When I checked in, they took my Driver's License as a key deposit, then lost it. I would seriously avoid this place. Beds are uncomfortable, and get bitten by bed bugs. Only good thing is the Chinese Staff are friendly

  31. Confirmed Google Maps

    Genuinely across 32 countries and 10 years of continuous travel and I have never felt as unsafe as I did in this place. Exposed needles, feces smeared on walls, bed bugs and the general clientele were of the gross, heavily intoxicated, violent thieving sort. Its a shame really, as Elizabeth has great facilities and fantastic service in such a bustling part of the city. I made the choice to leave after one night, in a 9 night booking, as there was a naked man in my room muttering about stabbing someone, throwing around racist rhetoric and threatening to steal belongings. The Elizabeth has the right to turn these people away however they thrive to collect them. I feel sorry for the sweet woman at reception who helped with my refund, she deserves a better job with higher pay.

  32. Confirmed Google Maps

    This is the worst hostel I've ever stayed at in my entire life (and I've stayed in a whole lot, including in very third world / under-developed places). The whole atmosphere inside is very weird and depressing but that's the least of its problems. I ended up in a lower bunkbed that was completely infested with bedbugs. I wasn't even half-way through the night before I noticed one bed bug crawling over my cellphone screen which then made me realized they were all over the bed. All kinds of sizes and some full of blood (probably mine...). Like a bad nightmare. After complaining to reception they didn't even take it seriously AT ALL. In fact, they didn't even care to find me a suitable place to sleep that night, and simply told me to wait until the next day because others beds were taken. They didn't even return the money from that or my further nights I had booked!!! I left immediately and only kept coming back to fight about my money back, to no avail. It seems to me like they have these situations all the time and sadly are used to getting away with it. At that time I hadn't even realized the gravity of the situation. The following days my entire skin started to show the consequences of being bitten by dozens of bedbugs all over my body. I could barely move or do anything for more than a week. Melbourne is an incredible city. Do yourself a favour and don't ruin it by staying here. I am amazed this hostel still functions and isn't closured as a health threat to tourists.

  33. Confirmed Google Maps

    exposed needles filled with blood in mend toilets. mice running from room to room. bed bug marks found on hands. cleaning done for upstairs toilets maybe twice a week at max. some people are cool some are dangerous. staff seems to not care that much. not worth even $50 a week to stay.

  34. Confirmed Google Maps

    BED BUGS IN OUR BED!!!! awful. as dirty as it gets (toilets, kitchen, bed sheets...). only good thing is the location. giving 1 star cause I can't give 0.

  35. Confirmed Google Maps

    I'm 2 star this because I was never any elevator to get heavy luggage onto three levels. We were greeted in a strange way like she was bored. The beds felt like bed bugs what inside. But it's ok it was a place to sleep

  36. Confirmed Google Maps

    Got bed bugs in my bed🙄

  37. Confirmed Google Maps

    Worest hostel you could ever stay at. Bed bugs, not clean, sometimes no hot water, smells, really need to hide your money and propery as there was people coming in going into rooms and taking things thats also why u always lock the door there.

HostelPunk native reviews

First-party field notes

Leave a review

No first-party HostelPunk reviews yet. Be the first signal.

Vibe Analysis

Elizabeth Hostel is a very central, very cheap crash pad near Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Central, tram stops, restaurants, and bars. That location is the main practical win here, especially for a short Melbourne stop where price and access matter more than comfort. There are useful basics in places: laundry may be available, there is a shared kitchen area, and a few rooms have extras like a fridge, balcony, table, or more space than expected. Parts of the building may feel recently refreshed, especially the lobby and common areas, and staff can be friendly and helpful. The tradeoff is heavy. Rooms can be dirty, smelly, dark, noisy, poorly ventilated, cold, hot, or very basic, and housekeeping may be limited or unreliable. Tea, coffee, mugs, kettles, irons, cutlery, towels, lockers, WiFi, and room servicing may not work the way a normal hostel stay would lead you to expect. This is not a social backpacker pick. The atmosphere can feel uncomfortable and unsafe, especially at night, with repeated problems around cleanliness, pests, rude service, door security, noise, drug use, long-term residents, and shared bathrooms or kitchen areas. Treat it as last-resort budget lodging, not a place to settle in.

Signals to check

  • Bed bugs, fleas, cockroaches, mice, and strong bad smells are recurring risks. 3 mentions Last mentioned Feb 8, 2026
  • Cleanliness is a major weak spot in rooms, bathrooms, corridors, bedding, and kitchen areas. 3 mentions Last mentioned Apr 1, 2026
  • Noise can be rough from the street, hallways, air conditioning, arguing, doors, and late-night activity. 3 mentions Last mentioned May 24, 2026
  • Solo women and light sleepers may find the atmosphere especially uncomfortable. 3 mentions Last mentioned Sep 21, 2025
  • Room servicing may be limited, unavailable, or only done after requests or extra payment. 3 mentions Last mentioned Jan 1, 2026
  • No in-room kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, water, iron, or phone to reception should be expected. 3 mentions Last mentioned Jun 7, 2026
  • Refunds, deposits, passport handling, key access, and staff communication may be stressful. 3 mentions Last mentioned Jan 10, 2026
Book here: Hostelworld from ≈$20 Booking.com HW prices from today

Tags

Facilities

🍳 COOKER 👕 Laundry 🍳 Breakfast
Other facilities (22)
Luggage Storage 24 Hour Reception Tours/Travel Desk Housekeeping Internet Access DVD's Cable TV Linen Included Hair Dryers Ceiling Fan Towels For Hire Hair Dryers For Hire Security Lockers Key Card Access 24 Hour Security Common Room Free City Maps Free WiFi Free Internet Access Jobs Board Hot Showers Flexible NRR

Unusual phrases