The Old Swan Barracks Backpacker Hostel Perth

Was in Perth for a short stay following a conference so chose a single room in this hostel. Is the place perfect? Well, no. But for the price and location it is close to being perfect. Sure, the museum construction across the road was noisy on Saturday morning but we can’t blame the hostel for that. My room was clean. Bed comfort was a solid 7 out of 10, bathroom was always clean and the staff were always helpful and friendly. And the fellow guests weren’t noisy at night time. Oh, and having the meds hall and the food trucks is definitely an added bonus!

The check in was easy and doesn't open until 1pm but I was allowed to store my bag in their locked luggage room. I stayed on the first floor 8-person room where you could hear the street noise but not anything bad. The beds were not premade but included sheets and a pillow case, no towel. The pillows are bunched up cotton balls so don't expect any neck support. The bed also squeaks like crazy. The rooms were spacious enough and had large lockers to put your things. No smell within the room and also comfortable aircon that is controllable by room. The establishment had a computer area but only one of the computers worked. Other reviews noted spotty WiFi but I had a strong and fast connection during my stay. The bathrooms are separated by gender or unisex. The water pressure for the showers were good and I never ran out of hot water. Overall, the building and faculties do appear old. Kitchen upstairs is moderately sized but the nastiest kitchen I've ever seen at a hostel during dinner hours. The storage cupboards and fridges are jammed packed; the dining area tables are filthy with leftover food all over. Free breakfast only includes toast, corn flakes and oat bars. Downstairs there are several lounge rooms with several comfy couches and spaces for you to work. There's also a laundry room in the back with large sinks for hand washing and a clothing line behind the laundry room building. I noticed that the machines are used by the staff to clean sheets and blankets so machine availability might be impacted but I'm not sure. The location is centrally located and only 6 min from the train station. My stay was alright for the 2 nights but say it would not be somewhere I'd stay for an extended period of time.

Would've given a 4 star as good prices, showers are hot with good power, rooms have aircon and friendly staff at reception, but the beds we stayed in had bedbugs. Also had to make own beds when arriving which isn't ideal although it is a huge hostel so would take the staff a lot of time. Rooms are good enough but nothing fancy. Seemed a pretty social place but wasn't staying for long. Parking is on road outside, paid from 8am-6pm Mon-Sat

Service was absolutely wonderful; all of the staff that I met were friendly and hospitable. The entire hostel was clean. One down side was having to put a deposit down for your room key and dishes for the breakfast in the morning. It was in a great, central location, and I'd love to go back one day. I had a great time!

The place looks brilliant in the pictures. Unfortunately it's nothing like that. The reception was strange, took us about 30 minutes to check in. The hotel or "hostel" as its described (which definitely isn't) is like something out of an old horror movie, it's like an old school and definitely needs renovation. No atmosphere at all and it's cold. The room was big and huge windows with just a small radiator. The bed had lots of hairs in the sheets and frankly disgusting. Outside our room we had tons of old school lockers just standing outside our door. It seemed to be more of a long term accommodation for tradies and maybe jobseekers as there were lots of tradie uniforms in the hallways and Drug tests in the toilet bins. I fully support giving the homeless and job seekers a place to live but this place shouldn't be advertised as a hostel at all, because that's what it felt like. No alcohol permitted at all, maybe because everyone in there is in recovery? Thought there was a pub there but must have exploded in world war 2. The men's toilets were disgusting, similar to a trainstation public toilet which never get cleaned. 2 of the toilets were blocked with poo and the next day still there. My girlfriend was scared to walk down the hallway on her own. Booked 2 nights and stayed 1. Paid about 130 dollars and as soon as we turned up I wished I never booked it. I never asked for the 1 nights money back that we didn't stay because they need the money to renovate. Should have stayed in the britannia longer or any other place than here. Extremely expensive for what seems to be a free place for rough sleepers. No disrespect to the staff they seemed nice.

Service was great, and the location is fantastic. Facilities are sufficient (about as expected and appropriate for budget accommodation), everything was clean and tidy, and mostly in good repair. The hostel includes a huge common room with a small bar and a furniture layout to handle several groups at once (not that you stay in a hostel this close to the CBD to hang out in the hostel). Excellent value, in my opinion.

Very handy location but I would give it one star for general standard of accommodation although I liked the restored opening windows. 24-hour reception is handy, but two staff members were talking and emptying bins at 3:00am outside our window one night which woke me up. Also every lock on the female showers on my floor was broken. I am in my fifties and stayed with my 22-year old daughter there in Dec 2019. We have stayed at a lot of backpackers but I would not stay in this one again.

Can’t complain at much because of the price. Here are some pros and cons anyway. Pros: cheap, powerful showers, wide comfy-enough beds, great location, 24 hour check in desk and good air con (though can get v cold). Cons: Thin walls, quite dirty kitchen and facilities, had to make own beds on arrival which was not ideal when we arrived at 2:30am and couldn’t see a thing, terrible WiFi, can’t bring in own alcohol (due to their license) and no recycling bins.

This is a super value for money backpackers with a great bar! Cheap beers, a pool table and friendly staff. To top it off, this is a heritage listed site - the Australian Army literally bunked in here before, so we got a nice slice of history. Very centrally located, and with a cool vibe. Great place to meet people. Free wifi in the common area is a bonus.