Hostel review: feel at home at Orchid Guest House

By Bobbi Lee Hitchon // 6 June 2010 // Comments: 0 // Related Categories: Hostels, townsville

Welcome home.

Not welcome to our hostel or hotel room, but welcome home.

Nestled amongst orchids and ferns, Orchid Guest House on Hale Street in Townsville is more than a place to crash, it's a place to feel at home. Upon arrival at the hostel, Fran Ames, guesthouse hostess, greets travelers with a kind smile and low-toned hello. One of the original Kiwis to backpack Australia, Ames's presence alone is comforting and reassuring. She helps guests with transportation, activities and more.

The comfort only continues when guests enter their rooms to see quilted covers and sheer flowing curtains. Orchid's quaint, clean rooms are a refreshing change from the average hostel or resort in Australia. 

Partying is out of the question, even late night noise is a rarity, but a full night's rest is guaranteed and not out of the average backpacker's budget.

Location

Hale Street could be considered bed and breakfast row in Townsville. It's within walking distance to the Esplanade and town center, but out of the way enough to escape noise and crowds. 

A guest at Orchid Guest House in Townsville, QLD reads on the hostel's outdoor front patio. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

This off-the-main-strip location, allows the guesthouse to provide its guests with ample parking as well as outdoor facilities. Guests can relax with a warm tea at one of several picnic tables on the front patio, which is decorated with different plants and ornaments. Once caught up on their sleep, guests can hike Castle Hill, which is only a five-minute walk from the hostel and offers a great view of the city.

Staff

Ames always keeps busy around the hostel, but manages to take the time to chat with all her guests. It's not the type of accommodation where people feel lost amongst a massive staff. Only two people are usually on staff at Orchid, but they work hard to maintain the guesthouse. They're never without a smile and are always on point with their daily duties. 

Vibe

Visiting the guesthouse is like returning home after a semester at university. Guests arriving from a rowdy Airlie Beach and Whitsundays can catch up on their sleep without having to worry about rowdy dorm mates or outside noise. They can catch up on their favorite shows as the guesthouse has televisions in each room. Guets can even catch up on their laundry with Orchid's free washing machine.

The guesthouse's quilts add to its home-like vibe. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Price

The best part about Orchid is that its rooms and fantastic amenities come at a rate that's affordable to budget travelers. Room rates start at $A26 in Orchid's three or four person dorms. It also has private twin and single accommodation ranging from $A50 to $A80. All its rooms include kitchen, laundry and shower facilities. Some come with in room refrigerators as well as tea and coffee. The hostel also has weekly rates for backpackers working in the city.

Overall

It's not what people would expect from a hostel and that may be a very good things for long term travelers. Fran Ames is reason enough to visit this home-like lodge.

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Bloggers Bobbi Lee and Bobbi-Jo jumping at Blackall Range Lookout Point while touring the Hinterlands with Mooloolaba Beach Backpackers.