1849 Backpackers at The London

The friendly staff and the delicious pancakes.

No aircon or fans in rooms.

Good location and even thought it's old, I could see they were trying to keep it clean. Free two panckaes every morning but you'll probably have enough after a day.

The place is VERY run down. My room looked nothing like the photos, it was dusty with no coffee or tea facilities or even a mirror. No AC and fly screens on the window and the room got so much sun that the heat trapped in the room at night. There also seemed to be many long-stay people who worked in the area.

Good location and a small parking lot available. Was able to find parking when I was there. Wifi was decent. Surprised they have pancakes every morning! There's a cute cat too!

Didn't realize that cutlery had to be hired. Maybe put a few more pens in the kitchen for labeling food. Wish the downstairs common area was open later but I know why they do it.

To be fair, the hostel did attempt to provide a range of options- refreshing drinking water in the room’s fridge, a guest kitchen, table games, outdoor tables, etc. The bedsheets had been washed. There was an extra blanket and pillow in the room, as well as a fan and heater, in case of need, and a small fridge chugging away through the night. I liked that a group of young travelers appeared to be enjoying themselves- did not appear affected by the miasma of the hostel. And thumbs up for the staff who care for the women’s bathroom, which was kept clean (though they can’t do much about the rust and mold). And, there were large old bathtubs, good for soaking. I hear this was once a fairly good hostel. If the management gets it right, it could be ok again. But for now- especially for solo women-it is a place to be avoided.

Smelly, dirty, dreadful view of parking lot from my window, ancient carpet in room, unvacuumed along wall edges.. Once the evidence demonstrated that this would be a bad place to stay, I started to try figure out how steps for leavin. I was willing to forfeit the cost for 1 of the 2 nights of my booking, just to get out of there. The staff member (who was dropping f bombs when I returned to the office) said he took my money and that’s that, no refunds. … ... Slightly menacing as he challenged me about wanting a refund, he made it too uncomfortable to continue with a conversation. Next, I spent an hour and a half requesting refund from Booking. Did they have my back? No. They wanted photos. How do you photo document unpleasant smells and unsafe situations? The next morning, I decided to just accept the loss, and find another place to stay. But by then, there were no other hotel vacancies in the area. Back at this hostel, on the second night, a big shouting fight erupted between a staff member and guest- the staff member was threatening a guest with kicking her out and she was screaming and crying that she had a right to stay. Eventually the staff went away and the woman stayed, I guess. The advertised image of the entry looks nice- but the reality is that you have to get through a rough parking lot in front of the building, before entering, where it appears that people are living in a couple of the vehicles - not caravans, but vehicles that are in pretty bad shape, cracked windows, etc., and a couple guys in the cars seemed a bit out of it. You run that gauntlet just to get to the entrance of the hostel. I’ve stayed at hostels all over the world- hostels can be great places to meet other travelers, learn about the area, etc… but in this hostel, I just kept out of sight in my smelly dusty room . Breakfast for all the guests was only served for 1 hour. 2 pancakes, I hear. The single hour it was served was not convenient for me, so no comment on that.

Quiet, All amenities worked, Close to town, was able to sleep in the 6 bed dorm very well, but only 1 other guest was there.

No complaints.

It was a good location. Free pancakes in the morning.

Bed was dirty, top bunk was unsafe. Bathrooms weren’t very clean.

Taco the cat, some other guest and the staff is nice

It’s super rundown, most things broken or in desperate need of repair. All the photos are super old so don’t be surprised when you get there. There is no gate and a continuos stream of homeless and drug addicts come on the property at all times day or night. Super noisy location and it stinks

Disgusting

Staff was rude. I was physically assaulted there. Not cleaned and not well maintained

The central location was great and budget friendly accommodation were excellent options if we're on a budget or need somewhere urgently to stay etc

Since the changeover of management 1849 has deteriorated quite significantly over the years and given is only one of two backpackers/hostels available in Albany the competition is minimal so there is potential there for investing and improving the business. Currently I think there should be a hospitality group or cleaning company get on board to help manage the property better and train staff at same time gaining skills in housekeeping etc as be beneficial to those who could use that.In its current state the property really should be either shutdown in winter for at least a month for a full clean out, painting/repairs need doing and a update on bedding including any mattresses needing replacing. As it only basic cleaned currently and i would not recommend staying if have mold allergies/medical conditions either.Aside from this the staff are generally quite friendly though could put stricter rules in place as some guests don't look after the place well or no respect for the property most likely because it's cheap etc So if you generally need basic budget friendly accommodation for a few nights then 1849 is the place to stay.

Breakfast - pancakes

the price - it is not value for $$$ - especially for rooms.Ambience - The deluxe studio (for 3 adults) is located beside the "kitchen".Location - not easy to find

The staff is so friendly and kind I vamped into them in a tourist spot, they remembered my face and talked to me.I was impressed because normally they can’t remember customers.I asked them and they said “ we try to remember everyone even it’s a short stay “And also they recommended some beautiful place near there.I will come back when I visit in Albany.

Hostel is located in the centre of Albany though to be fair, it only really has a centre. Albany is in Australia's beautiful south west and is a nice quiet place. The hostel is a little basic but has all the facilities you would need and the staff are very helpful. There are quite a few eating and drinking options in town but a special shout-out for the Earl of Spencer - great food and drink.

Interesting use of a historical older building. Delicious complimentary pancakes served by friendly staff at breakfast. Ample free parking.

Bathrooms, showers, and kitchen should be renovated and modernized.

It has baths! : If I had more time I would have had a soak. Lovely reception man and complimentary pancakes at breakfast on Tuesday? Fantastic!

Mätress a bit squidgy but hey the price was perfect

Location good.Close to main street, restaurants pubs etc

Bathrooms ok but toilets a bit old and not well ventilated

Variety of peopleStaff very helpful Pancakes for breakfast were great

Probably won't stay there agy

The room was boiling hot despite the fan. Could not budge the window and a constant noise from ? So had to keep the fan to cover the noise. Never had any problems before just that room right next to the bathroom.

Mattress was absolutley awful, had a terrible sleep and a sore lower back for 3 days. I was at the wall in the double bed on what felt like a 45 degree slope and my partner sunk into the middle, could feel every spring and everytime he moved it rocked the mattress. The blind fit half the window. Told the reception the next day to see if another room available, which there was but was marginally better. No apology whatsoever. Also when moving rooms my partners expensive leather belt that he left got put into the free-for-all area instead of lost property. Also the noise levels are awful, someone was banging what sounded like metal from downstairs at 5.30am on a Saturday morning. I've stayed in many hostels in my time but for $199 a night this is ridiculous with stained bedsheets and disgusting pillows.

Definitely not planning to go again in the future.

Poor customer service, old toilets, no shower curtain, noisy bed, uncomfortable parking.

Friendly stand, well stocked kitchen, nice private room with a fan for the warmer nights

Some of the kitchen utensils could do with replacing! The kitchen could have been cleaner but I understand that is down to the other guests