PPippa-louisePlace is amazing clean , fresh and of high standard .
But when it comes to booking and service this is another story .. for the money I paid to stay 2 night I thought this would be the perfect place to rest I’m 5 star style .. place yes , service a disaster. Firstly when I arrived at Swiss bel .. I went to reception to book in as I booked online a queen bed room he asked if I had a vehicle I said yes agreed to the $35 a night and he said he would just take it out of the bond I paid at end if that was ok I said yes perfect .. when I got up to my room it was 2 single I called reception and advised I had booked a queen bed and there is 2 singles he said oh the house keeper hadn’t changed the beds or didn’t look at booking , I asked if someone could just come up and fix .. he said there is noone to do this now come down and j will find another room for you . I went down stairs said I would go get something to eat and when I come back hopefully a room will be sorted. I came back he advised me that he had upgraded me and I asked if I could have the new key and I will switch rooms and come back down with the other key to save me bringing my luggage down and then back up again. I got to room and key didn’t work to go to 6th floor . So I brought my luggage down and told reception that key didn’t work . He said sometimes this happens with those keys /actually quite often said he would come up with me and check . Yes card did not work so he used his staff card to let me in said he would fix and come back . He came back 10mins later to test and it had been foxed . Not sure what the upgrade as as room was smaller than the first , had no shower gel (was empty container when I went into have a shower) thought it may have been replenished on next day with room
Clean still empty on second day and cleaner took face washers and never replaced them so I washed with shampoo and a hand towel .. when I came back on second day went to put card into open the car park and it didn’t work .. I went to reception to let them know I was trying to get into car park and the card doesn’t work, she (Asian lady) advised me that I hadn’t paid for parking .. I had to explain everything from the night before then asked me they will take it out of my bind I said yes that’s what I agreed with the night before . No apology just more interested in getting payment for parking. She added parking to
Card then said she would come out and make sure it worked as I said the night before man had to come
And make sure carry worked she forgot card for
The card so
Went back into get then came out .. followed me down then gave me a card .. I later received a phone call from a lady called Theresa asking how my stay was and I explain that it has been the most disappointing experience I have had ever ! Explained the above she said she would come and replace the shower gel and face washers I said it’s ok I have already had my shower used a hand towel and shampoo because I’m already in bed .. she said that I hope that my stay apologetic on my experience already , I hope it is better from now and if I need anything to contact her and ask for Theresa I said thank you I appreciated the call … then then 10
Minutes later she comes knocking on my door I have to get dress to answer the door she knocks again I said I’m coming
She is at the door with the shower gel and face washers getting me out of bed . I understand why she brought it but I told her I was in bed and I had already showered . So then I go to hand my key in to check out to be told I have outstanding parking I need to pay .. I advised Theresa that it is coming out of the bond payed and this has been told now to 3 people .. as I said place is absolutely fantastic.. apart from missing shower gel and tissues
Not sure what or how I was uograded as the room was smaller and no window as in first room
506 to 606
KKate CanovaCan I put 6 stars? :)
This place is definitely one of the best hostels ever. Where do I start from?
Reception: everyone is always super kind and helpful, including offering help with luggage and everything else. The hostel looks very new and modern, so beautiful!
Room: it's great! Big enough, with hangers, curtains on each bed (amazing!), plugs and light for every bed and also some extra plugs around the room. Bed was very comfortable and I felt great there!
Bathroom: always clean, soap in every sink and in every shower, big and nice!
Kitchen: incredibly well equipped and open 24 hours. There are 2 doors separating it from the rooms so it's never noisy even if people are there in the night. They provide big boxes that fit in the (many) fridges so that it's all tidy and clean. Goodbye the hundreds of Woolworths bags and messy fridges with no space for other people's food! Even the cups, the dishes were perfectly clean, like everything else. I was seriously impressed, they did the cleaning multiple times a day. Free salt, oil, tea and coffee always available.
Common areas: really beautiful, full of books, games, with a huge TV and many tables and beanbags.
Events: they actually organize social events and the staff helps the ”new” people to socialize. That's so important! Many long termers don't really mind about meeting new people but if the staff does his part then it gets a lot easier. And here, they do. On my first night they had a free cheese and wine event and we got a lot of tasty food and wine.
Location: perfect, just above Woolworths and a few minutes walking from everything. The Little Drifter feels more like an hotel than a hostel and I really don't know how people can rate it low.
As great as it is I would still like to suggest some possible improvement. Maybe at the Reception you can print a map with a few info about the hostel on the back. I didn't understand where the boxes for the kitchen were, I didn't find the labels. Also it took me 3 days to find out that I had another toilet a lot closer to my room, so for 3 days I was crossing a very long hallway in the middle of the night when I had to go.
I also didn't like the fact that I had to open the doors through the app and I discovered later that there is a code to open it as well (I try to leave my phone in my room as much as possible).
This hostel is a little more expensive than other places but it's totally worth it! If I'll be back in Cairns I won't hesitate to come here. Thanks!