Mad Monkey Hostel Coogee Beach

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to Mad Monkey Hostel on Arden Street, I wasn’t expecting much. The name alone had me wondering if I’d booked myself into some kind of party central nightmare. But you know what? This place actually surprised me in the best way possible.

The thing about Coogee is that it’s got this perfect sweet spot thing going on – close enough to the city that you’re not stuck in suburbia, but far enough out that you’re not dealing with the Bondi crowds and inflated prices. Mad Monkey sits right in the heart of it all, maybe a three-minute walk from the beach (and I mean an actual three minutes, not that travel website “three minutes” that’s really fifteen). You can literally hear the waves from some of the rooms, which is either amazing or slightly annoying depending on whether you’re trying to sleep off a big night. The hostel itself feels more grown-up than your typical backpacker spot – I mean, it’s still a hostel with all the usual suspects (twenty-somethings figuring out their gap year, budget travelers, the occasional digital nomad), but there’s something about the vibe that doesn’t make you feel like you’re crashing in a college dorm.

The staff actually know what they’re talking about when you ask for recommendations, too. They pointed me toward this little Thai place on Coogee Bay Road that I never would’ve found otherwise, and they were spot-on about which bus routes actually run on time (spoiler: not many). The common areas are where this place really shines – there’s this outdoor terrace area where people naturally end up hanging out, and it’s got that perfect late-afternoon light that makes everything look like an Instagram filter. The kitchen’s decent sized and actually clean, which honestly shocked me after some of the hostel kitchens I’ve encountered. Sure, you’ll occasionally find someone’s mystery leftovers claiming fridge real estate, but that’s just hostel life. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – they’ve got this policy that’s actually enforced, so you’re not dealing with drunk backpackers stumbling around at 3 AM. Well, mostly not.

The rooms themselves are nothing fancy, but they’re clean and the beds are actually comfortable (those hostel mattresses can be real lottery tickets sometimes). Air conditioning works, which in Sydney summer is basically non-negotiable, and there’s enough space that you don’t feel like you’re living in a shoebox. The bathrooms are shared but they’re maintained well, and there’s usually hot water – though I’d recommend showering before 8 AM if you want to guarantee it. Parking’s a bit of a hassle if you’ve got a car, but honestly, you’re better off just using public transport anyway. The 372 bus stops right at the end of the street and gets you into the city in about twenty minutes, or you can walk to Coogee Beach and catch the coastal walk to Bondi if you’re feeling ambitious. For what you’re paying and where you’re staying, Mad Monkey delivers exactly what it promises – a solid, unpretentious base camp in one of Sydney’s most liveable beach suburbs.

Rooms

• Bed in 10 Bed Mixed Dorm with Balcony (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in a 12 Bed Mixed Dormitory with Balcony (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in 10 Bed Mixed Dormitory (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in 8-Bed FEMALE ONLY Dormitory with Balcony (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Apartment (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory Apartment (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Private Room with Shared Bathroom with 4 bunk beds for 4 adults
• Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Apartment (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory with Balcony (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room (ages 18 – 40 only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Bed in 4 Bed Mixed Dormitory Apartment (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Small Double Room with 1 full bed for 2 adults
• Bed in 10-Bed Mixed Dormitory with Balcony (ages 18 – 40 years only) with 1 bunk bed for 1 adult
• Economy Double Room with 1 full bed for 2 adults

Reviews

• Exceptional – Godden from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Fab hostel friendly staff excellent location

• Good for one night or if you want a social hostel! – Phoebe from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Great location, nice spacious rooms, curtains on beds, lots of places to put your belongings.

• Would recommend to solo travellers – Amelia from United Kingdom (8/10)

  Good location

• Nice little hostel next to the Coogee beach – Jonathan from Germany (7/10)

  – directly next to the beach with a beach view
  – small but cute

• Very Good – Sophie from United Kingdom (8/10)

  so close to coogee beach

• Pleasant – Marcia from Australia (6/10)

  Location was really good, staff were friendly and room was clean.

• Nice stay in front of the beach – Benedetto from Australia (8/10)

  Great location, just in front of Coogee beach.
  Friendly staff, balconies in the rooms and beds have curtains that you can draw for some privacy

• Good location but improvements needed – Natalie from United Kingdom (6/10)

  * very good location – right on coogee beach! & bus stops nearby for bus into central
  * sockets, light & curtain on each bed was super handy
  * staff were nice & helpful
  * liked the kitchen set up, huge fridge and containers for dry food making it easy to store
  * had social events (we didn’t take part but was good to know the option was there!)

• Pleasant – Moritz from Austria (6/10)

  The staff were extremely nice and courteous. You can leave your luggage there on the day of departure and also use the hostel area.

• Was good but expensive for what you get – Jamie from United Kingdom (7/10)

  Great location, just on the beach and above a McDonalds

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities