Arts Factory by Nomads

If you stay ten-tee, it will be amazing memory. They have a lot of events. And they operate free shuttle bus too.

Great staff and lots of things to do

Generally nice looking place with plenty of free parking (otherwise in very short supply in Byron) and a big kitchen. The room itself was fine apart from the thin foam mattress leaving something to be desired. Just make sure you arrive with the expectation that other guests will show minimal consideration in terms of nighttime/early morning noise and cleanliness in the common areas.

Cockatoo Paul is an aaaaabsolute legend with his bush survival lessons, bracelet making out of plants, and just all round a wicked personality and vibe. A great addition to the Arts family and will definitely be back because of him. Loved the female dorm as well, so peaceful and met so many awesome people.

Arts factory? More like sharts factory! The place was violently unclean and everything smelt of shart. I don’t care how cheap a stay is, at the bare minimum it should be clean. The other ‘guests’ here have clearly made this place home, and some have even settled in a camp out the back like squatters, literally offering to sell their tents in ‘the best spot’ on the lobby notice board. I wouldn’t advise walking towards the campground or lake area unless you want to experience a scene out of the latest zombie apocalypse film. The laundry on-site is very helpful, but again left in a state by the long term residents who call this place home. Likewise, the kitchen could be great given its size but when you walk in you’ll be swarmed by flies and welcomed by a smell of rotting food from last years cohort of settlers. People here seem to think that it’s everyone else’s job to clean up after them, so every single sink will be stacked high with used pans and plates, the tables have food left on them from people who clearly weren’t raised with any manners or respect for others. One guest stormed around the kitchen area and proceeded to go on a stampede around the hostel shouting ‘b**ch’ repeatedly at the top of his voice because someone had mistakenly moved his mug, which was in fact a hostel mug for anyone to use. We were in our room for all of a day before we had a family of ants joining us, most likely trying to avoid the filthy residents just like we were, but still not ideal at all. The bathrooms were grim too - in our 3 days here I said good morning to the same patch of dirt & grime every single day (most likely scraped off one of the residents in their annual shower), despite the staff apparently cleaning the showers daily. All in all, a filthy pit of a place full of people who clearly need constant care & looking after because they weren’t raised to clean up after themselves or how to behave normally. I’ve been backpacking for a long time now and I’ve never felt the need to leave a horrible review, but there’s a first for everything I guess - definitely wouldn’t recommend, as you can tell. Cheers.

Good location not too far from the centre of Byron Bay. The whole place felt a bit rundown and the bathrooms were not the best. Big kitchen but just like every hostel it did get dirty quick quickly. There were lots of activities to participate in but did cost extra.

We booked a twin room in the island retreat, I thought this sounded really fun and was looking forward to my stay. The hostel itself is very “hippie” and definitely attracts a certain type of person which isn’t a problem as staying in hostels is about meeting all different types of people. Lots of people that stay here are residents so i found it tricky to mingle with others. The common area was nice and included a cafe and lots of seating areas overlooking a lake. The trivia night was fun and the host cockatoo Paul was a laugh. At night people sit round outside playing the guitar and bongos. I’m not one to usually complain about cleanliness, I’m the type of person who’s just happy with a bed to sleep in. BUT I was a bit disgusted by how dirty the room was, I’ve attached photos and you can clearly see mold on the ceiling right near where I was sleeping. The fan would waft bits of mold all of the bed. I didn’t feel comfortable sleeping in the room at all with the walls like that. The island retreat rooms need a refurb.

I absolutely love arts Factory. There’s this amazing exceptional receptionist who guided me to my room. Upon the walk to my room I was told about the layout of the hostel by this helpful receptionist. I believe her name was Nicole. What a legend. They need more receptionists like Nicole she is so helpful and lovely. She really makes arts factory. Arts factory is a lovely community and I definitely recommend !! It is managed by a lovely man who has done a great job of making arts factory what it is today.

Arts Factory felt like a community as soon as you walked into the hostel. Nicole at front desk was the loveliest girl to chat to. Had a delicious coffee from the cafe every morning and sat watching the jungle around me from the kitchen balcony. The showers were the best I’ve had in any hostel so far. Great entertainment with the talent show and enjoyed several yoga classes by the lake. Great people running the place with a kind attitude.