Hostel Review: Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort

By Bobbi-Jo // 11 April 2010 // Comments: 0 // Related Categories: Best Backpacker Job, Hostels, Review, Surfers Paradise

Sometimes when you’re on the road for a while, you need to lay your head down in a place that feels a little bit like home.

Having a little more space than a traditional hostel, having someone ask if you’ve gotten enough sleep, the way mom would, walking into a room and everybody knowing your name? Those things can ease some of the mental fatigue that comes along with firing on all cylinders for long periods of time.

Even though heading into Surfers Paradise I had heard some things that weren’t entirely pleasant - “It’s trashy” “It’s too touristy” - my experience at The Surfers Paradise Backpackers Resort couldn’t have been further from the negative stereotypes of the city itself (which, by the way, are exaggerated).

Our hosts, Heidi and Brad, have done their guests a solid by employing what seems like an army of young, energetic hostel staff to do everything from hold barbecues, drive guests to and from airports, train stations or the beaches, and out to the bars and nightclubs at night. Heidi went above and way beyond to try to get a mini-dream of mine fulfilled (go on a hot air balloon ride). Even though she wasn’t successful, I was so grateful that she wanted our time in her hostel to be special and exactly what we wanted it to be. I was also grateful that instead of laughing at me (too much) her husband Brad drove me to the nearest Apple Store when I murdered my iPhone and, teary-eyed, needed to go see if there was anything that could be done about the situation.

There wasn’t.

It’s still too soon to talk about it. So let’s move on, shall we?

The hostel has two different types of rooms: dorms and apartments. If you’re traveling in a group and maybe want a little more space and privacy, an (affordable at $74 per room per night) apartment would be the ideal way to go, as they have two twin rooms, a bathroom, living room, and kitchen all within the apartment. 6-share dorms are a bit cheaper per person (at $28 per person per night). Either way, when you venture out of your room, you’re met with a large TV room, bar, pool, pool table (American rules!) and two things that make the hostel truly unique - a tennis court and a sauna. I didn’t have time to enjoy the sauna but it is definitely something that is not standard issue in a hostel - so I think it’s a pretty cool perk.

The pool is a bit small - when you walk into the courtyard you immediately think that the tennis court’s spot would have been an ideal location - but the hostel will be undergoing renovations soon due to city building plans, so hopefully they’ll expand the space in which guests can splash around.

If they don’t: there’s always the beach. Surfers Paradise (contrary to the name) doesn’t have the best surf. But you’re 5 minutes away from a beach that’s perfect for sunbathing, body boarding, and jogs, if that’s your thing.

Wednesday and Saturday nights are the hostels “Big Night Out” where you’re joined by backpackers from all over the city for a night of...craziness. I must admit, my college days are most definitely over so I didn’t make it through all four bars, but for $30 - entry and a free drink at each bar (and pizza at one of them, probably to soak up all the adult beverages) is well worth it. Plus, you’re never too far from a rep that’s from your hostel, and they generally want to keep you alive for the night, so it’s great fun and you shouldn’t get into too much trouble.

Unless you want to.

You know a hostel made an impression on you when leaving feels like leaving summer camp. If you go to Surfers Paradise, you can choose to partake in the touristy or trashy stuff or not (it’s really not that bad), but you should definitely check out Surfers Paradise Backpackers if you want to enjoy your down time and party time to the fullest. And wave hello to everyone there for me when you get book in!

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Many special thanks to VIP Backpackers for being our gracious hosts throughout this trip!