When I’ve got a full-on trip going on, I like a hostel experience to be easy. You know what I mean, clean, safe, all amenities at my fingertips. Well that’s what I got and more at Sydney Harbour YHA.
Now, I’m pretty much always a fan of a YHA. I’ve come to expect them to be in the high-end of the hostel world attracting families and school groups rather than just backpackers. I mean, I even lived in one for 4 months, at the Brisbane City YHA a few years back. Like I said, they’re just easy.
Well the Sydney Harbour YHA is all this and more, pal.
We stayed in a double room during our stay and compared to other hostels I visited during my Australia trip, this room was like a fancy hotel. With lovely furnishings, a TV, breakfast tea stuff and a nice, hot shower. Bloody heaven.
The only drawback was that you couldn’t adjust the aircon and had to go through Reception to turn it on and off. But really I’m being picky, the room was pretty swell.
Oh and did I mention the view?
The view from Sydney Harbour YHA is the jewel in this bad boy’s crown. From my room window I had not only a fab view of The Rocks neighbourhood, but a direct view to the Sydney Opera House. Pretty cool right?
Hashtag room with a view.
But that’s not all. Sydney Harbour YHA boasts a pretty awesome rooftop common area.
The outside space is filled with everything you could want from hammocks to beer pong tables (the essentials lol), but the main attraction is again the stunning view of Sydney Harbour. From up here it’s not just the Opera House you can see, but the Harbour Bridge and the Sydney city skyline. For this kind of view I would expect to pay a fortune in a hotel, not that of a hostel room.
I was impressed, guys.
Talking of common areas, there’s also a games/TV room up here that’s pretty well equipped but to be honest with that kind of view who would want to be inside?
Downstairs the main reception area is open plan through to a common area full of sofas then on to a large kitchen area. All are super clean and spacious. Plus there’s free WiFi on this floor so SCORE.
It’s not the most sociable of hostels, but I normally find that with YHAs. It’s the kind of hostel you want to live in for a while if you’re looking for work on your working holiday, you know?
But if you did want to be social, they have daily activities to get involved in like a pub crawl and a cheese and wine night. Good stuff for making pals. The only drawback on the social side is that there is no on-site bar and no nearby Bottle-O. So you need to be prepared for any hostel beer pong or goon sessions in advance really.
Finally the location of the Sydney Harbour YHA is obviously awesome being THAT close to Sydney Harbour. Hence the name lolz. But it’s also in an area of historical importance in The Rocks. You see, Sydney Harbour YHA is built above the archaeological remnants of colonial Sydney. The foundations of the houses occupied by some of the first convict settlers are preserved in a large excavation site and the YHA hostel is perched on top of it on stilts! Pretty unusual right?
The hostel also does specials that come with complimentary breakfast or you can purchase breakfast from the Reception cafe. The three breakfast options are all DIY so you have to go and toast the bread they give you, or if you go for the cooked option you’ll need to make your eggs and bacon in the kitchen. But it’s not too shabby, all you need really.
Overall I really enjoyed my stay at Sydney Harbour YHA, it’s in a fab location with lovely rooms and kickass views of the harbour and the city. What more could you want?
Have you stayed at Sydney Harbour YHA? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @HeelsInBackpack!
Total Blogger Transparency: I accepted a free stay at Sydney Harbour YHA but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I wouldn’t play you like that, shorty.
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