Stayed in a hostel for the first time, at 36 years old and not quite at peak physical fitness, it was quite daunting. On arrival, I was checked in by the lovely Joanna who was incredibly friendly and helpful throughout my stay. After finding my bed was taken by someone else, Joanna moved me to another, nicer room. Thanks so much, Joanna! The room was really nice, very comfortable single bottom bunk bed (as requested) with a privacy curtain, plug socket and a surprisingly spacious locker, multiple pillows and cosy duvet. There was also a balcony with a few chairs and tables, a small cabinet and powerful air conditioning. The bathrooms were kept very clean, the kitchen was adequate as I wasn't cooking any of my food and the common areas upstairs and downstairs were comfortable and clean. I saw a guy being removed from the hotel for smoking drugs in the room, making other guests uncomfortable, it was refreshing to see rules being enforced. The location was also great, right in the centre of Byron, around the corner from the main strip, a couple of bottle shops, Aldi and the Northern and a few minutes' walk from the beach.

The kitchen was busy a lot of the day and closed between 3 and 4pm for cleaning and from 10pm to 6am and the floor was wet a lot of the time, I slipped twice which could have been worse but was quite dangerous with the amount of foot traffic. I also had my food stolen on the last day which was annoying, a way to secure the stuff left in the fridge would be beneficial. More fridge space would have been helpful as they were packed. There are also only two washing machines and driers which isn't enough for a property of its size.

- The beds have curtains which I’m beginning to realise is a luxury on the east coast - Bathrooms were separate but cleaned properly daily and had products in (shampoo, soap, cream) which I think is a big ++ - Big communal area and central location - People were fun in my dorm too

- Kitchen was tiny - Almost down a dark alley which if you’re just getting to Byron I think it’s a bit weird - The price. I am struggling to understand how hostels in Byron feel comfortable charging backpackers >$100 a night. Daylight robbery, hostels should be there to enable travel for people on a budget not bankrupt them

Although this property does have shared rooms, the private rooms with ensuites are just as nice as any other studio apartment in Byron and I've stayed in a few. The Staff are very friendly and go to the extra effort to help you enjoy your stay and match any price. The location is central to the city so the majority of restaurants and shops are in close walking distance. There's a great vibe and energy in the place, the rooms are clean and serviced daily. I've stayed at the Vali multiple times because the value for money is great and the staff make you feel at home.

This is only a personal preference but I do like a waterview property, although there isn't a lot of those in Byron..... strangely enough, unless you pay the more exclusive prices that come with that view. Appartments with an extra bedroom or 2 would be good for families to allow more room but they do provide roll away beds for the larger studio rooms.

I loved the layout of the room. Rather than having the bunk beds against the wall and a big space in the middle, they were pressed together but covered so you couldn't see the person in the other bunk. It meant each pair in the bunk bed had their own individual space away from the other pair. Having an ensuite bathroom was really nice too. It had aircon which was amazing all the other hostels I've stayed in haven't had aircon so was a really nice relief. The bed was really comfortable with two pillows and a duvet plus plenty of plugs for charging electronics. Privacy curtains across the beds were nice too for when other people were getting up at different times. I would 100% stay again if I'm ever in the area.

I thought it was really clean when I arrived but my roommates at said it wasn't clean at all when they arrived and they had to complain. There were previous people's belongings left behind and even after complaining they weren't removed so room mates had to clean it up. Also the shower tray leaked so we had to wring out the shower mat of water after every shower.

Location was good, it’s on a weird alley side street, but near shops and restaurants. The beds were clean and comfortable, and the rooms pretty spacious. Front desk staff was friendly. Showers are spacious and have shampoo and body wash. Plenty of sinks and counter space. Lift and luggage storage available.

There’s only 2 washers and 2 dryers for the whole hostel, and the laundry room was dirty. The bathrooms are always dirty despite seeing staff “cleaning” them. The cleaning staff like to gossip really loudly outside of the rooms early in the morning. Lots of flies in the lobby.

My room with sofa & balcony with small high table & 2 chairs. Appreciated two pillows & mini fridge in room.The staff exceptional, Damien, Luke. Liked their social calendar; even had vegetarian options. Always willing to go above and beyond. Sorry, don't remember name of young man that recommended awesome Thai Lucy. There's a huge terrace as well. Loved the natural body wash, shampoo, conditioner & lotion provided. The showers were enclosed, place to sit & hang items. Laundry room nice with tap & pay.

The kitchen too small for the number of guests; unfortunately, patrons that congregater at tables for long periods of time. There is a social room as option to eat.

Vali Byron was a great budget option to stay in the centre of Byron. Whilst I stayed in a private room, I still enjoyed the benefits of the facilities, and I can tell you that hostels have certainly stepped up their game - or maybe Vali is just superior! There were free daily fitness classes (yoga and boxing were the ones available during my stay), along with some nightly group options at the neighbouring pub. Friendly helpful staff, and the hole in the wall coffee shop next door did a damn good coffee that met Melbourne coffee standards! I also appreciated how comfy the beds were - having stayed in a nearby hotel and apartment complex on my previous visit whose beds were uncomfortably soft, it was a welcome relief to lay on the Vali bed and realise it was goldilocks perfect - not too hard, not too soft, but just right!

Wasn't the best sound proofing in the rooms, meaning if you were a light sleeper (like me), you were likely to be awoken from other guests coming home late/leaving early, and for those who faced the courtyard, if there were morning fitness classes, these were also likely to disturb your chance at a sleep in. My only other negative was that housekeeping only attended the final full day of my 5 day stay when I was very much in need of a towel changeover.

We loved the Brazilian women who were at reception during our stay, the rooms, bathrooms and hallways were always clean and organized.

The only thing that needs to be improved is the control over the air conditioning. In the middle of the night, someone in our room turned off the air conditioning and I would wake up in the middle of the night. I think this control should be done by the hostel. Since it is a building with 8 different people in one room, you have to come to a conclusion. Whoever is cold can cover themselves up, but whoever is cold, what do you do? Just a suggestion : D

The bunk beds are very nice and offer a lot of privacy, I also loved the net, light and extra sockets. Bathrooms are nice as well, nice touch that they have shampoo dispensers in the showers. It’s a very friendly and social hostel, you basically walk in and have a bunch of new friends. Also the location is absolutely central without being too noisy. It’s the best hostel I’ve stayed in during my travels!

Only small remark, the kitchen although very well equipped gets really crowded, especially the fridges are absolutely packed.

Conveniently located smack in the middle of town. The bunks have curtains and charging points so you have privacy and space to be yourself for a bit with your devices. There was a steady stream of guests so there was always someone to chat to. If you wanted to cook you could. And I never had to q for a bathroom or shower stall either despite it being peak season. Recommend bringing your own combination lock for the storage locker.

Nothing, I loved it. Will come again