Redfern Hotels with Bars

Only gave 1 star due to not being able to give 0. Black mold over entire bathroom. Not a single tiled surface was mold free. Cockroaches crawling in at night under the doors. The vent of the air con unit was covered in dust and more black mold. Not that the air con unit worked anyway. We stayed middle of winter so lucky for us all the sheets including pillows were made entirely of plastic (natural fibres would have left us freezing). Staff were only there probably to clean and that's it, because we never saw them. Ever! We tried to check in 20 minutes early and the lady claimed ”there is no luggage storage”. Lo and behold, when we were finally checked in there is a massive painted sign saying ”luggage storage”. Also, the room wasn't ready even by 2PM, the stated check-in time. We saw one gentleman traveller waiting outside to check in at 7PM in the freezing cold for God knows how long he sat there, but we were unable to let him in due to signage explicitly stating that letting in people would lead to non-refundable expulsion. Also, the doors only open with an App, so if your phone does good luck getting in. Honestly, if my phone died, I would have called the cops and had them find a way to let us in with the non-existent staff. Cleaning lady was so lovely. Reception lady was horrible. Kitchen had a faulty stove that was always firing. This is probably not advisable, as a simple gas leak could mean this misfiring burner will blow the place up - if only that would happen (with no-one staying there), because that is the only way this place is going to get better (a complete rebuild). Kitchen was filthy, with no cups to be seen anywhere. I probably wouldn't have used them anyway. Why the heck is there a massive tarp covering the balcony? Did this place semi-burn down??? Also would like to state that the photos provided are most likely from the Glebe location that they also own. The photos looked simple, which is what I wanted. Simple, not freaking disgusting. I have stayed in backpackers in Africa that are legitimately better than this hell-hole. Might I add that one of those places included a room with no glass in the window, and I found that place better than The Village!!!! I have copied this review in case it is ”magically” lost. I will be posting it elsewhere.

I have lost count of the number of times I have stayed at this hotel. It is my go to place when I am in Sydney and I am busy and all I need to a place to dump my gear and lay my head. I have searched for and occasionally used other cheap hotels in Sydney but the Song is ideal for me. If you want a more centrally located (but with shared bathing facilities) try Song in Wentworth Ave. I am always somewhat bemused when I read one star reviews. I guess the reviewer has not completed ”The Economics of Hotel Management 101.” The price you pay for a room in a hotel in Sydney depends on location, room size, facilities and staff numbers. Minimise all of these and you can charge a figure closer to $100 than $300. So, do your homework before booking any accommodation. The Song is wedged between very busy Cleveland Street and the busiest section of rail in Australia. The double glazed windows reduce the sound considerably. I always get a good night sleep, more often because of my abject tiredness &/or my alcoholic intake. Don't bring a cat to the Song because when in your room you won't be able to swing it!! There is usually one staff member who signs you in and then you are left alone. Previously I always enjoyed breakfast in the cafe. Because of COVID it was not operating, nevertheless, they gave me a paper bag with cereal, milk, apple and muesli bar. Oh yes the kettle was not working. I did report this misdemeanour to management. So, the Song is not the Ritz but it offers exactly what I want when I visit Sydney, close to Central Railway station, Chinatown and the multitude of restaurants in Surry Hills.