Reef Lodge Backpackers hostel and lockers Townsville - Townsville City, Queensland

Lucía L.

The owner attended to us for check-in. She seemed nice at first. However, the surprise came when we opened the bed. The sheets were full of stains and covered in hair. We couldn't understand how they could be so dirty.

We tried to call the owner at 8pm, but she didn’t reply. Finally, around 10pm we could inform the owner and she started YELLING at us in front of everyone because we mentioned that the bed sheets was full of stains and women's hair. She got upset and said, "How can you say it's women's hair? My husband has long hair as well!" We were shocked, No comments. We just couldn’t understand what was happening.

Then she gave us another room, and once again, there was hair. I understand that cleaning issues can happen—everyone makes mistakes—but her attitude was unacceptable: arrogant, and full of herself.

Avoid this place. It’s better to pay a little more and stay somewhere where they treat you well, care about the guests, and make you feel comfortable rather than dealing with this kind of behavior from the owner. Honestly, it was really disappointing. Without a doubt, my worst hostel experience ever

Abbie R.

Stayed in a private room which had everything i need however not sure i would recommend this place especially for female solo backpackers. The police arrived while we were checking in to looking for someone staying at the hostel which put me on edge. Also had the owner arguing with 2 girls who were begging for a refund as there was a man in their room making them uncomfortable (Credit to the owner as they said they had offered them 4 different dorms) but the level of desperation was worrying and i didn't feel safe here.

Anshu B.

Left my passport in exchange of key deposit, I have returned keys on the day I left but my passport have not been returned yet. I have been promised. All phone calls going on voicemail, if someone reading this can please help out.

V B.

We were looking for a hostel and came across this one. When we rang the bell at the reception (mind you, during opening hours), no one answered, so we wanted to make sure someone was there and rang again. After that, we were "warmly" (not) welcomed. The owner then felt the need to lecture us, saying "Patience is a virtue not everyone possesses." As a guest politely asking for a room and using the bell provided for that purpose, I don't think I have to listen to such remarks. From then on, the rest of the interaction was just as described in other reviews: we felt like we were bothering them, and both owners were extremely unfriendly. I thought it would be a good idea to see for myself, and I was not disappointed. After they couldn't agree on whether there were any beds available, we only listened out of politeness. We never had and never will have a room there. I've never experienced such a reception in my 10 years of traveling.

Elle T.

Myself & my boyfriend stayed in a private double room for 4 months while we did our regional work - I’m definitely not a hostel girl but the reef lodge was an exception. Most nights the hostel will be quiet past 10pm, the bathrooms & kitchen were cleaned every morning, the Aircon works really well and gets the room nice and cold quickly and there is a communal area if you wanted to chill and get to know other people staying there.

A lot of reviews say that the owners are rude and strict, but if you respect them - they respect you. They only want the best for the hostel and the people who stay there long term, so if they’re giving out about dirty dishes not being cleaned and being piled up in the kitchen - it’s pretty fair because there are genuinely lovely people staying there who shouldn’t have to deal with the mess from others. We have never had any bad dealings with the owners and we enjoy chatting to them around the hostel and in the office 🙂

Location is great as it’s right around the corner from flinders street, and has a Cole’s or Woolies 10 minutes in both directions.

Thank you Dean & Simone!

vico

hello I stayed 1 week in this hostel. very nice place, well spaced, the location is good but the owners are terrible, we arrive at reception to book, we had the impression of disturbing them. He look at the cameras every day to check that the dishes are done correctly, during housekeeping the gentleman stayed for more than an hour, lights on while several people were sleeping... you cant enjoy friday night after 10pm because this man is trying to sleep

Robert

Okay, because there are a few bad rewievs regarding the owner, I wanna clarify some things.

So, during my check-in I felt like he was anoyed/bored/rude. However, I'm convinced that he just exspects everyone to not go by the rules and therefore already is in a bad mood. Over the next 3 days tho, we started to warm up with each other and the atmosphere started to improve by a lot.

Another point, I wanna adress, is the the clean your own stuff. Some people here complained about beeing charged/kicket out of their room for not cleaning a fork or smth like that. But I mean, first of all, you should clean your own stuff anyway. Secondly, every hostel has posters that say that you get charged for not cleanin appropriatly. And thirdly, it's actually stated everywhere, so you can't really be mad about him for enforcing the rules?!?

Only downside for me was tho, that I needed to get up early and came back late, so I had to wait a lot because he is the only one scheduled for rezeption and it isn't open til ~8:30/9.

I liked the rooms, the clean commonareas and the generel atmosphere with other backpackers 🙂

Cheers,
Rob!

R C.

Stayed here for 3 months whilst doing regional work and it was perfect.
A real ideal location right in the centre close to everything, yet is very secure and feels relaxed.
Everything you need in the hostel and lovely social areas. The hostel is cleaned every day and ran very well by the owners. Thanks Dean and Simone 🙂