Legend Has It… Westend Backpackers

Who says backpackers have it rough? Located just around the corner from Central Station, this clean and modern hotel is rightly popular with anyone on a budget, including families. There are laundry facilities, a commercial-grade kitchen, a café, plus extras geared toward working holidaymakers, such as an in-house travel agency and jobs board. There’s always something going on here, making it the perfect option for travellers on their own – at the time of writing Friday is wine and cheese night and Saturday is barbie night. Rooms (most do come with air-conditioning) are either en suite or have a private bathroom adjacent. The reception is open 24 hours daily, breakfast is astonishingly good value at just two dollars and airport transfers are offered to guests staying for three or more nights. Disabled-adapted room. Internet (high-speed pay terminal). No smoking. TV (TV room). CityRail Central or Museum/LightRail Central. Rates $30 dorm; $80 double. Rooms 90. Credit MC, V.