Geraldton Backpackers on the Foreshore — Hotel in Geraldton

The owner of this place, Pippa is a Karen. Full stop. So if you looking for a place that the staff is flexible and receptive, that's not the one. Run for your life as far as you can if you want to enjoy your stay.if you read the bad reviews, they are correct and it's what most happens here, if not, you are just lucky. Her answer to the bad revies, you can feel the sarcasm, the defensiveness and audacity to them. Do not o a. Kind eye to it, it can ruin your stay. When I arrive at the hostel , the first night on a Friday, I came with my rental car, during a work trip. I stopped in front of the gate calling reception to see how to get in with the car. Two cars stopped behind me waiting as well , obviously to see if I get in first , as normal of it to happen. She came in yelling at me like a 5 years old (I'm 40) saying I was blocking the traffic (???) - 'what traffic'? Yelling. Then I started apologizing for not even knowing what for I was apologizing for, just to keep the peace and go back to the start and she says that if I din't shhh ( she actually said that! She susshhh me three times) she would not let me stay. I couldn't believe the absurdity. It was like a movie. Was not real. The I shut up as she told me. Let everyone check in im front of me as I feel bad for no reason and then on my turn, I checked in and went to my room. I only stayed because there was a festival and it was the only place available so I swalled my pride cause if not I would be gone. Three days later, I went out for a work appointment as I was there for it, and I ended up coming back 18mim late then the check out time, at 10am. She called me already being sarcastic and I said I forgot and I was happy to pay extra fee. She started threatening she will get my money and I won't stay anyway because it's the rules. I lost it and then I say she could keep the money but I was leaving. When I came to the hotel , she put my stuff on the door and also called her husband to follow me untill I leave. It was the most absurd situation in my life. Her husband had his head down all the time, poor man. Look such a nice man under that horrible woman. This is the first one EVER I write a bad review , even when I had bad service but I also try to understand and I'm never picky or paying attention to what wrong. I enjoy my life. But this woman, PIPPA, she is out of boundaries and the levels of disrespect to customer crosses any limits of imagination. Do you yourself a favour and hand your money to a respectful business owner that appreciates your visit instead of this bitter person that thinks her mission is to teach the world how to live when she, herself, has zero ideia where her head is.

I'm trying to download her crazy and can't find how so it's not me bad mounting her.. if anyone wants to see videos I'm happy to share. Do not stay there. You may get mistreated and no...

Clean, beautiful garden, secured gate locked overnight parking and spacious, however it was expensive. Private room with shared bathroom was charged per head, instead of room. $95 ($47.50 each) with a choice of two twin beds or double bed, equipped with only ceiling fan, clothing rack, a table and table lamp. For that price usually in a motel or caravan park I'd get a budget room or self contained cabin with cooktop, microwave, fridge, kettle, heating system, private bathroom or ensuite.

At a budget hotel one could at least get air conditioning in a room with private bathroom.

Room is hostel standard, with female dorms, no male dorms (probably for some weird religious reasons, though I place no judgment here) but not the entire building. The building has some French heritage vibe to it. The floor creaks and doors were slammed shut loudly by long term residents, our sleep were disturbed (to that I and my partner awoken by the noises we decided to watch tv downstairs as we kept hearing people in other rooms or restaurant downstairs yelling at 11pm, we were only able to sleep around 2am and woke up got ready for check out almost towards 11am).

The reception lady who was also in charge of cleaning rooms were understanding though I didn't have to explain anything. I didn't want to annoy the elderly reception lady out of respect for her age and other guests.

The hostel is clean and very close to the beach that's all, it's probably costly due to its location and coastal interior design (furnitures and decorations at the hall).

Also during check in it was our second time we've ever had our IDs photocopied lol! Normally after filling out for Covid clearance we'd just have present our IDs and all good, as no hotels or parks have ever had ours kept as copies. At Ibis and Hilton we only had to provide rego and name and present our IDs, no photocopies required. Wasn't happy with how oir info was handled. To be fair a guest was coughing and that person may have had covid, but we were healthy and traveled from NT to WA, not from covid states.

Hostel service was not over friendly or great, it was average. We did get the anti-foreign youth vibe from them, which is weird because backpackers hostels are usually youth friendly not the opposite. Didn't feel welcomed because of that. This hostel shouldn't be categorized as backpackers though I don't know a backpacker or couple who could afford $95 per night stay.

Probably was the least unfavorable experience in WA...

One of the prettiest and best set up hostels I've ever been. Its a very old wooden building with lots of history and character. Kitchen is much better set up than most of the usual backpackers, got everything you could need for cooking. Nice large common areas, tv, pool table, different areas to sit and relax all around the place. And the outside area is very nice made with lots seating areas and beautiful gardens. Beds are comfy, room has lockers and storage... Location perfect with beach right at the back door, city center shops on the front door. And everything is kept super clean, secure and nice. Staff are very friendly and helpfull too. All around a very nice, relaxing place with perfect location.

As others have said before, its not the usual cheap price most backpacker are, but also its not the usual rundown or bad equipped place as others often can be! Keeping such a building clean and working as it does has its justified costs. Also its a small town and family run business, therefore cant be open 24/7. You know that before booking. Dont like it - choose another stay instead of complaining! And checking out at 10am is a normal thing in any accomondation. Of course it can be nice to be offered to use the kitchen and lounge past that time as other hostels do, or prior checkin. If so its a privilege and shouldn't be taken for granted. No hostel is obligated to do so as lots of other reviews sadly seem to think. Having worked in hospitality myself a lot - how should someone keep a place as tidy and clean while double amount of guests walk through all day stoping staff from proper cleaning? Impossible to have both! I got offered to leave my luaggage here during the day after checking out which was very nice and helpful - also free of charge when others charge by times.

Only thing i could suggest to improve for the future is an option of something like a "dayrate" rather than a full price night to just use the common lounge a few hours in the evening while waiting for the late night bus arrival (only available public transport going north with no waiting area). Just a suggestion to make it easier for people traveling via public transport. People that are anyways out and about all day exploring but just need a warm waiting area those few hours between sunset and bus arrival like me 😃

Would definitely recommend and stay again. Thanks for the...