Located at the end of Katoomba's main street - and right next door to an Aldis - this charming and…read morefriendly hostel is a pleasant place to enjoy a weekend in the Blue Mountains. Think carefully - this is a *hostel* and not a hotel. So, it will not have all the amenities certain types of travelers will demand. But, if you're a low- key, easy-going adventurous type who likes a clean room, a fun youthful vibe and an interesting Arts and Crafts Lodge-y styled decor, then I recommend a stay. Our room was ensuite (translation for US folks - bathroom/shower in room) and was immaculate. We stored wine and cheese in the communal fridge with no problems and used the large, coin- operated lockers on our last day to store luggage during one last hike (hostels are great, but remember the old adage - "there's at least one thief in every hostel") and enjoyed the sunset -with a glass of wine - from the back patio. Overall could not have been more pleased with this location. PS - Do be advised that the way back to the train station is *uphill* so give yourself a few more minutes.

Summary: Clean, comfortable hostel with good service…read more This is an excellent base for hiking in the Blue Mountains. Staff was very welcoming and helpful in providing advice about trails suitable for the limited time I had in Katoomba and where to buy groceries from a good local organic coop. The room was comfortable; bathroom was clean; showers were hot with good water pressure; kitchen was well-supplied and clean; lots of space to hang out; okay book exchange, but that's not really something within the hostel's control; and location is an easy walk to start hiking down into the valley and back up the Giant Stairway.

Larger hostel in Katoomba. Has a variety of rooms from 12 bunk (which most rooms are very large so…read moreyou're not 6 inches from the next bunk) to private rooms with a tv. The big common area is a nice hangout are with tables for dinner or a pool table and foosball game. There's another large room with multiple good comfy couches for movies. Has (for me) a surprisingly well equipped kitchen with stoves and ovens. Staff is awesome!! Shoutouts to Stacy/Wendy/Brett for taking care of me!!

My husband and I had a nice affordable overnight stay here while exploring the Blue Mountains. We…read morewere supposed to have a shared room, but nobody else was actually in the room for the night, so that was coincidentally nice. It was relatively clean and we spent a nice time in the common room in the evening. We will probably come back and stay here again since it was very convenient and good, as far as hostels go.

Lovely hostel/guesthouse in Katoomba - our room was very clean and bed was comfortable (much…read moreappreciated after a day of hiking!). Bathroom could have been a little cleaner, but kitchen and common areas both very pleasant. The owner is absolutely lovely and gave us some great trips on nearby bushwalks - definitely recommended!

A beautiful hostel with a romantic feel…read more We stayed in a private room, complete with gorgeous headboard, towels, a sink, flat screen television, and balcony. Staff is great for information about the Sydney airport!

Pretty much the worst hostel I have ever stayed in. I've stayed in dozens. It's very very odd - and…read morepeople who stay for more than a little while realise all the weird strange behaviour - almost felt like witchcraft - going on in this place. Bullying staff and management, actually emotionally abusive. The decent one or two staff members don't know how to handle the crazy staff. Staff play mind games with guests, varying between being your best friend and your worst enemy, keeping everyone off kilter and on edge. If you have any sense of vibes, you will immediately pick it up - if you don't, you'll figure it out. Lots of weird quiet guests in the shadows, saying really strange things to people, lots of mind games - and the management kick out anyone with no notice or explanation - about 10 people kicked out over the course of 2 weeks for having harmless fun or "not telling, just go - rumours". Then they struggle to fill the beds, so they have heavily discounted rates. No other hostel I have ever been to engage in such bizarre high school power dynamics. Basically they just let guests sort things out and don't do endless rumour and innuendo. Takes a while to figure out, as there are one or two of us groups who have all the fun. The staff get uptight and close up any social outdoor seating and the tv room after about 11 pm. Even if you're not disturbing anyone. You have to wait till they go home, but they make sure everything is locked up so that no one can actually relax. Then, they go around blacklisting at other hostels anybody who says that they want to check out early, or who they kick out, to try to prevent them from checking in anywhere else, even if they haven't told them what is supposedly done wrong. That's how insane they are. Or for minor misdeamnours. The hostels humour them, and then ignore them. Many guests left early as they felt uncomfortable, several of my mates left, we all went to a hostel elsewhere and relaxed and laughed and felt way better - the other hostels had all heard of Billabong and laughed when we mentioned it, their reputation as the last place to be for travellers precedes them. Guests are aggressively threatened and rebuked for peacefully congregating one minute, and then sidled up to the next, very strange. Then, they will be smiling and collecting stories on somebody else and threatening them. It's just a very strange place. Most who say "it's great!" stay short term before they realise. All outdoor areas are smoking and staff flaunt the no smoking section of the outdoors, so everybody else does, too, which is great if you are a chain smoker like most of us and sucks if you are not or are tying to give up - absolutely no chance in this place. Kind of smelly, dark rooms and cramped bathrooms, too, with no privacy or space to put anything. Gendered bathrooms with no transfriendly signage. Not a diverse place at all. Never any soap in dispensers. PS don't believe the reviews on Hostel World as they are are not independent and reviews can be changed or deleted by the hostel. Their response will come in hard for as much deflection and excuses and projection that they can because that's what they do. Sent from my iPhone

I am a traveler , and this place is the most diverse place I've ever seen. Amazing staff and great…read moreamenities. Besides the loads of money you'll save sharing a room with strangers, you have a chance to meet new people. They offer free pancakes in the morning, snacks for sale, and laundry. If you arrive early they have locked luggage storage. The view from the deck! No hostel can top it. A view of the bridge and opera house. And the location is so perfect for touristy things. They are in a safe neighborhood called "the rocks" with plenty of things to see and eat. 5 minute walk to the trains, buses, and taxis.

I enjoyed staying here except for the two that I was paired with. I had just flown 20 hours, was…read morenow 15 hours ahead of my normal time. They kept coming in and out of the room getting beer until 3am. I finally got up, took a shower, slept in the lobby until it was time to go to the cruise port. I would have paid for private room if I knew my experience would have been this. I was offered a different room but didn't want to be that person and wake up someone by going into their room at 3am.

I stayed here a few nights. Great undercover secure parking. Although our room was old the bathroom…read morewas all modern. Great atmosphere! The breakfast was included which was great. Ill be back here again!

I have visited this historic property several times for the Sydney Writers' Festival in May. In…read morefairness I have not stayed at the property but they handle special events seamlessly. The venue itself is exquisite. Every detail of the decor is charming and in line with the historical significance of The Carrington. Facilities are always clean and the staff patient despite the size of the crowd. I can't give five stars since I have never been in a private guest room, but if the public spaces are any indication, this is a great place to stay.