We were on a budget and this hostel was pretty much one of the cheapest doubles in st kilda at the time. From their website and pics, it seemed cool, and when you walk through the door you think there is potential here to have a good time. But this was not the case. Mostly because of the people that ran the hostel. The main problem was the 'live in' residents - all the hostel's staff are just travellers that live there and get cheap rent by working. This in turn means that guests are not getting a fair deal at all - the 'staff' aren't very helpul, they are cliquey, they congregate around the front desk being lairy and not very friendly to outsiders. The roof terrace is 'owned' by many of these live in staff, who smoke weed and stare at you as you go outside, they simply see you as a stranger in their home, which is not how a hostel should be.

Oh, and they poach the good jobs that come in most days, as i asked one of the 'staff'' about it as most days he had been on a job- and i asked where he got it from - and it was employers that were calling the hostel asking for people, and the hostel workers were doing them and not putting them up.The only jobs they put on the board are the rubbish ones - like commission only, never gna get paid jobs!, many jobs that should be put up on the job board (ie labouring jobs etc) are taken by the staff. Not a fair deal.

The kitchen is tiny, way too small for the size of the hostel and again, never a chance to cook, we cooked once and we were there for 2 weeks. The kitchen is about 4 metres x 4 metres, ludicrous for 65 rooms! Not much cutlery, not enough cups/plates. Only decent thing was the free pancakes.

Bathroom was ok, water was decent. Hygiene not great, not enough soap or toilet paper. No lockers, and shoddy food storage, where people can take your food etc.
No wifi either. The in house internet was way more expensive than the internet cafe 50 metres down the road.

Our double room was like a cell, average bed, very small room, dark and cold. Felt like a prison cell. It could do with painting and clean sheets. The hostel is next door to a club, so it is very loud all night - i like staying up late, but 4am music gets annoying quickly.

This hostel needs a revamp and i dont mean just paint, as that is merely aesthetic, which is not so important when you are travelling. It is the ethos of the whole place. They need new staff, who are friendly and not as cliquey. Most of the residents worked there and made it their home, and were not friendly to new people, which is ludicrous for a hostel. And im talking months on end, not just a few weeks etc, they are seriously 'lived in'. It just makes it a wierd experience for the newcomer and not in a good way. Atmosphere is everything and it was not a good one here. The place is completely ruined by the long term residents.

Basically i would never stay there again, especially for the rip off prices they are now trying to charge people. It is simply not worth it, not a friendly place, just a place run by travellers out for themselves, who have no interest in being cool to newcomers, who make you feel awkward when you enter a room. Spend your money on a cleaner, friendlier hostel, that gives you value for money!

Booked two twin rooms for four nights at Coffee Palace.
When we got into the rooms, one of the rooms wasn't even cleaned out - missing linens, rubbish-filled dustbins. Upon request, the reception got someone to put on some linens, but the dustbin wasn't cleared till 2 days later =/ The other room had a heater which wasn't working too well either, resulting in realy cold nights, which the reception tried to remedify by offering more blankets. Pancakes were supposedly to be served every morning, but we only saw it on the very last day. Previously when we asked about the pancakes, even the reception wasn't too sure why there weren't any being served (which is weird, since if even they don't know, who will?)

On the plus side, the boards in the common area had some advertisements on work and travelling if it is relevant for those who need such information. Room is also comfortable for three people in a twin room since it was a double bed plus a single bed (double decker). Location is also pretty near the tram station, making it convenient to and from the city.

Overall, find it so-so as a backpackers, but wouldn't return again.

Well we came here with high hopes, it had been recommended to us by a mate that had stayed here a while back. I can only imagine that it has changed owner/manager since then. The place is has potential, but the staff are sorely unwilling to do anything. On the website they say that a free ickup from the airport for anyone staying 3 or more days. We booked in for a week but they were still reluctant to help us with getting to the hostel, originally being told that we would just have to catch the bus then the tram. You wont get to sleep til around 5am as it is perfectly acceptable to play loud dance music, to smoke weed and run around screaming along the corridors at all hours of the night. Ive travelled a fair bit, and have stayed at some truely amazing hostels and have always enjoyed a good party but never to the detriment of others. I eventually went and asked them to turn it down, after knocking I went in and had to SHOUT for them to even realise I am there. Sadly they were all to stoned/busy blazing away in the room to take any notice. No one could be found at the '24 hours' reception!
The old foam mattresses are barely worth having, Just spent 6weeks sleeping on the floor of a tent and that was more comfortable. Carpets are sticky. On the plus side they have a kitchen that is well stocked with utensils/equipment. nd the hostel is a short 15minute walk to the shopping area of Acland St.

Love the Coffee Palace! So relaxed and can always find some fun people around. Great for long term as well. Peter Pans right across the road, and close to all the bars in St Kilda. STAY HERE FOR SURE!