I am cycling the Stuart Highway and had to stay the night in Alice due to heavy rain and I was soaked and exhausted. I called and Sophia quickly booked me the last single room. When I arrived she interrupted her lunch and made me feel very welcome. Then an amazing thing happened. I mentioned I had lost my thermal top and as a result was really cold. Sophia said, “Hang on,” and went to her living quarters and gave me one of hers! It was an Underarmour top and she refused tp take any payment for it. What incredible customer service. Thank you so much Sophia and Alice Lodge Backpackers, you deserve a medal.

The place is a good backpackers place. Clean rooms and bathroom. Free breakfast in the morning. It has a decent pool, which we didn't use. All in all nothing bad about the place, but it doesn't have anything that makes it outstanding.

Things I did enjoy - the price, the open shared space, chilled atmosphere, free breakfast, plenty of power outlets, the staff were pleasant enough, free luggage storage whilst away to Uluru, etc and I met a few cool people whilst staying here.

Things I didn’t enjoy - the weird reception hours, only one working cooker in the kitchen, loud screaming infants (why take a baby to a hostel?!), the creaky beds and it’s a bit of a trek from town if you have a suitcase so need to factor in the cost of taxis.

May I ask why the toilet is right next to the shower? It was incredibly distracting and made me feel sick listening to someone doing their business whilst I was getting washed. Poor layout.

Overall, I enjoyed my stay here and would stay again.