I was also a bit concerned about staying at the Y City South after having read some of the Tripadvisor reviews and having heard that the Redfern neighborhood was a bit on the rougher end but everything went just fine during our 5 day stay here. We got in a bit earlier than check-in time and they already had a room open for us. The rooms are definitely the smallest I have ever stayed in but the bed was comfortable enough and the toilets were clean. There is a railroad track on one side of the hotel but we could not hear any trains with the window closed from the opposite side. The hotel has very affordable wi-fi ($10 a day or $25 for a week, I think) that has a decent connection speed and good signal. There are laundry facilities in the hotel for $2-3 per wash and dry and the hotel has a (limited) breakfast. It was definitely more comfortable than I expected and I am sure that you cannot get anything cheaper with as much cleanliness and comfort in the Sydney central area. Walk from the station was about 10minutes with a nice walk through Prince Alfred park which is safe even at night.

I was concerned about our stay here based on the wide range of reviews it had received on TripAdvisor.com. However, it worked for us - especially with the expensive alternatives for accommodation in Sydney.

We had booked a double en suite for 4 nights, so perhaps that helped with the room quality. Sure, it was very small, but it was clean and on the third floor we enjoyed the elevator in the building. We didn't feel claustrophobic each evening as we watched TV after a full day in Sydney. As for noise, true, it is right on the tracks. I can imagine how loud it must be for those staying in rooms on the tracks side of the hotel. Our room was on the non-tracks side, and we heard the trains, but that only sounded like thunder in a thunder storm, so it wasn't bad at all for us. If we didn't get the non-tracks side, then I don't know if I would have appreciated the hotel as much.

The staff was very friendly and helpful with our requests (baggage storage, info, etc). The breakfast each morning was completely suitable - all you can eat, too. They had cereal (5 varieties), toast (2 varieties of bread, peanut butter and 5 types of jam), apple or orange juice, tea or coffee. Fill up on this and you can cruise until lunch with no snacking.

The location is convenient - we read another reviewer's assessment and chose Redfern station, as it was closer than Redfern station. However, if coming in from the Airport (trains do not go to Redfern), then Central was still fine. Also, near to Redfern is a commercial street with less expensive restaurants, a Post Office, a Woolworths, etc.

If you can get a room on the non-tracks side, then this hotel is a terrific deal for what you get (room, service, etc) and the location.

very good hotel ,convenient to city center ,staff very helpful,value for money only breakfast has little choice

Dear Chuck, Firstly, the cancellation policy is unfair to its customers, at least for me. I did not know that I have to give a hotel 48 hours of move/ check-out notice. This is the FIRST ever hotel in the world that I come across with such unreasonable policy. I was not told at check-in day about this policy or when booking.

Also, as for the definition of cancellation, it does not fit for my case, as I did not cancel the booking, but I stayed one night there. And, was charged for a service (2nd night) that I did NOT receive. As a consumer/customer, we do not pay for service not received.

Most importantly, please allow me the reason I had to move out of the hotel. The hotel air conditioning is NOT maintain at all. Hygiene standard in the hotel is very poor! I was coughing non-stop and having allergic (could NOT even sleep!) for the entire night, caused by the mold, bacteria, debris and particles emitting by the air conditioner. I DO NOT want to be infected with Legionellosis, a fatal infectious disease that killed a group of people attended the convension of American Legion in 1976 due to the Legionella bacteria from dirty and unserviced air conditioning.

To me, it is the responsibility of Y Hotel to maintain its air conditioning system and provide clean air for its customers, but this is not being fulfilled at all by Y Hotel. And, it is a law in USA for every commercial place (including hotels) to have their air conditioning and cooling systems be serviced and cleaned periodically. Is this not in Australia? (Attached photos of Y Hotel air conditioning with thick layers of dust, debris, particles and mold inside the duct).

Also, I had to see a doctor to get medication for the allergy caused by the polluted air emitted from the air conditioning. I had to fork out medical fees after staying one night in such a dirty hotel. So, do you think the hotel should compensate my medical fees instead?

So, I am questioning if this policy still apply for my case. I am unlucky that I had to pay one night for the nightmare in Y Hotel but I am NOT willing to pay for the additional night that I did not stay (and will not ever stay!).

Regards.
Lay