Mad Monkey Downtown

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be straight with you about Mad Monkey Downtown – it’s exactly what you’d expect from a hostel smack in the middle of Kings Cross, and honestly, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The moment you walk up Darlinghurst Road, you know you’re in Sydney’s grittiest neighborhood, but here’s the thing about the Cross – it’s got character, and this place fits right in.

The hostel itself sits right where all the action happens, which means you’re literally steps away from some of Sydney’s best late-night eats (that Lebanese place around the corner stays open until 3am, trust me on this one). You’ll hear the train rumbling by from Central Station, and yeah, weekend nights can get a bit loud with people spilling out of the bars, but if you’re the type who needs perfect silence, you probably shouldn’t be staying in Kings Cross anyway. What I actually love about the location is how real it feels – you’re not in some sanitized tourist bubble. Walk five minutes down to Woolloomooloo and you’ll find yourself at Harry’s Café de Wheels grabbing a pie at midnight, or head the other direction toward the botanical gardens when you need to escape the urban chaos.

The rooms are clean enough, nothing fancy but they do the job. I mean, you’re getting what you pay for with a 3-star rating, but the staff actually seem to care about the place, which makes a difference. The common areas get pretty social in the evenings – lots of backpackers planning their next move up the coast or comparing notes about Blue Mountains day trips. Check-in was surprisingly smooth when I was there, though I’d avoid arriving on Friday nights when half of Europe seems to be queuing up with their oversized backpacks. The WiFi actually works, which is more than I can say for some pricier places I’ve stayed in Sydney.

What really sells this place for me is the neighborhood knowledge you’ll pick up just by being here. The other guests and staff know all the shortcuts – like how to get to Circular Quay without paying tourist prices, or which nights the local pubs have decent cheap meals. You’re also perfectly positioned for exploring beyond the city center. Catching the train to Bondi or Manly is dead easy from here, and when you come back exhausted from a day at the beach, you can grab a beer from the bottle shop downstairs and just collapse.

Is it perfect? No, definitely not. The bathrooms could use some work, and don’t expect luxury touches, but there’s something authentic about staying here that you won’t get at those sterile business hotels in the CBD. You’ll probably meet some interesting people, get some good stories, and save enough money to actually do stuff in Sydney instead of blowing your budget on accommodation. For a 7.4 rating, it delivers exactly what it promises – a decent bed in one of Sydney’s most interesting neighborhoods, with enough character to make your stay memorable.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $99. Deluxe Queen Room with 1 double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $111. Triple Room with Shared Bathroom with 1 single bed and 1 double bed for Max persons: 3
• Estimated price from: $31. Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom with 1 bunk bed for Max persons: 1
• Estimated price from: $33. Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room with Shared Bathroom with 1 bunk bed for Max persons: 1

Reviews

• Nice stay, for a quick stop in Sydney – Alice from Italy – 2 April 2025 (8/10)

  The position, and the common areas
  
  What could be improved: The room was really small

• Very good – Aimee from United Kingdom – 2 March 2025 (8/10)

  Rooms and showers were clean, close to local metro so it’s easy to travel to other areas of Sydney!

• Good value for money, not the most comfortable though – Francesca from United Kingdom – 31 July 2024 (7/10)

  Clean bathrooms, hot showers, good location. Was a very social hostel, would be great for solo travellers who want to make friends and aren’t so fussed about creature comforts etc.
  
  What could be improved: Bed was super lumpy and uncomfortable, it was also pretty noisy in the evenings. Would’ve been great to have a safe in the room and a bedside lamp as the only one was a fluorescent overhead.

• Very good – Loic from France – 23 March 2024 (8/10)

  What could be improved: The fridge is too small.

• Nice hostel, would recommend – Eliana from Spain – 19 September 2023 (8/10)

  They keep rising the weekly prices
  
  What could be improved: The wifi didn’t connect until almost the last day of our stay

• Very good – Alexander from United Kingdom – 29 April 2023 (8/10)

  Clean

• Great stay! – Lucy from Australia – 13 April 2023 (8/10)

  Staff were super friendly and helpful and beds were surprisingly comfortable. Having only 4 beds in a dorm was a welcome change from the usual crowded rooms you get. Location and value for money were great! Enjoyed it so much I had to extend my stay.
  
  What could be improved: Kitchen was a little small but very well equipped.

• Well located, friendly staff and reasonably clean shared bathroom. – Stephen from Australia – 27 October 2022 (8/10)

  it’s clean and well located near restaurants and railway station
  
  What could be improved: tiny room. I had to breath in to get past the cupboard to the bunk!

• Perfect for a short stay in town – Amanda from Canada – 8 July 2025 (8/10)

  The private rooms was great but not a lot of storage for two ! The bed was ok and the pillows really nice!
  
  What could be improved: The girls bathroom smelled weird and there is no place to put or clothes inside the shower only outside hangers.

• Pleasant – Jeremy from Australia – 12 May 2025 (6/10)

  Location great
  
  What could be improved: The stink in the building in the rooms corridors

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities