I've stayed in probably dozens of hostels in my life, and this one isn't too bad overall. For $30 a Saturday night in central Sydney, you can definitely do worse. It advertises itself as Mountbatten Hotel, but that's just the name of the pub downstairs. When you arrive, it's actually named Sydney City Hostels and the entrance is on Ultimo Road. Up two flights of stairs - no elevators - is reception. Staff are friendly and helpful although it would have been nice to have been notified of the $20 refundable key deposit in my email confirmation. I had to leave to get cash out and come back. The rooms are decent with a flat screen telly, mirror, small table and 2 chairs as well as an extension cord so you can plug your phone in for charging while you sit in bed (if you happen to be lucky enough to score a bottom bunk). Fancy, huh!
The room, however, smelled like arse and feet, and sweaty men's clothes. Floors were pretty filthy, so I'm not sure how often they get cleaned. Then again as I arrived there was a guy packing to leave after 4 weeks in that room so maybe he made a mess after it was cleaned that day. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt?! There's a locker provided in the rooms for each bed, but it was slightly too small to fit my 40L backpack. Good to keep passports or small valuables like laptops or cameras.
There was one toilet and 2 showers near my room, and I was told that there were additional bathroom facilities down the corridor although I never checked them out as the toilet was free whenever I needed it. Bathroom facilities were always clean.
It's worth noting that reception is only open during the day (8am-10pm I think) so if you need anything outside of hours, tough luck.
The hostel is pretty noisy on a Saturday night, I'm not sure if it was a room in the hostel or a nearby pub but there was loud partying all night long. I managed to sleep through it for the most part but next time I'll remember to bring ear plugs :) Beds could really use with updating... I switched from a much-too-firm top bunk to a way-too-soft bottom bunk (mattresses are obviously never turned!!).
I left early the next morning to escape the smell in the room and showered in a friend's nearby hotel room (wasting the $2 I paid for towel hire!) so I can't comment on the showers or free breakfast.
Location is great, 2 minutes from Central Station, easy walk to China Town, Paddy's Markets, Darling Harbour and Pitt Street Mall. There are tons of great restaurants in the area and getting here by public transport is really simple.
Would I stay here again? Sure, but next time I'll book ahead so I can get a female only dorm. read more