Commonwealth Hotel

Hotels
7.6 (750 reviews)
35 Union street , Newcastle , au

Children allowed

Facilities

Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Family rooms
Non-smoking throughout
Kid meals
ATM/banking
Free wired internet
Internet access
Wine release events
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Noise concerns

Categories

Cleanliness
5.68
Multiple reviews indicate issues with cleanliness, particularly in bathrooms and pest presence.
Service
9.15
Consistently positive mentions of staff being friendly and helpful.
Location
9.19
Many reviews highlight the convenient location near attractions and public transport.
Room Quality
6.14
Mixed reviews, with some rooms described as comfortable, but significant issues noted.
Amenities
7.17
Amenities are mostly positive but have reported issues, like noise and lack of controls.
Value for Money
7.63
Many reviews mention good value for budget stays despite cleanliness issues.
Food and Beverage
8.18
Positive comments about the quality of food and drink options available.
Overall Experience
7.65
Overall sentiment is mixed with positives in location and service, but negatives in cleanliness.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-08 05:51

Property Description

Convenient Location
Located just minutes away from popular beaches and a vibrant street with shops and eateries, Commonwealth Hotel offers the perfect blend of relaxation and convenience.

Comfortable Accommodation
The air-conditioned rooms are equipped with modern amenities like a flat-screen TV, kettle, and refrigerator. Choose between rooms with shared or private bathrooms for added comfort.

On-Site Dining and Entertainment
Unwind at the hotel's bar or grab a meal at the onsite restaurant, open until 21:00. For added convenience, there's a cash machine available for guests.

Experience the best of Newcastle at Commonwealth Hotel - book your stay now for a memorable getaway.

Important information:

Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 10:00 AM

Property Policies

  • Parking

    No parking available.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 1 year old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    You haven't added any cots.
    You haven't added any extra beds.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

Location

Guest Reviews

7.6
Based on 750 reviews
Cleanliness: 5.68
Service: 9.15
Location: 9.19
Room Quality: 6.14
Amenities: 7.17
Value for Money: 7.63
Food and Beverage: 8.18
Overall Experience: 7.65
H
Hutcheson family_with_children au
7
Enjoyable and if would return
Pros:

The atmosphere and staff were fabulous.

Cons:

The windows wouldn't open .

2026-05-24 via Nuitee
C
Chris solo_traveller au
6
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Too noisy till the doof doof stopped at 4am

2026-05-19 via Nuitee
D
Dresshti couple au
7
2026-05-18 via Nuitee
T
TURNER couple au
6
was short and sweet!
Pros:

The food was great, and all the staff looked to be enjoying themselves working as a team, from the kitchen staff to the bar staff. well done

Cons:

would be nice to offer ear plugs on the nights the doof doof music plays till 3pm to those staying there, we all like to party and have a great time, but some had to get up early and play sports. etc.

2026-05-18 via Nuitee
T
Taylor solo_traveller au
6
2026-05-17 via Nuitee
P
Peter solo_traveller au
7
2026-05-16 via Nuitee
P
Prabu family_with_children au
1
A filthy, cockroach-infested hotel with smelly water and used soap – completely unsafe
Pros:

location is good.

Cons:

I chose this hotel because it was shown as suitable for families, but that turned out to be completely misleading. I understand it’s a “bar hotel,” but if you market yourself as family-friendly, you must meet basic family expectations. Unfortunately, this was a very, very worst experience.

Where do I even begin?

Used soap was given for guests – unhygienic and unacceptable.

German cockroaches everywhere – not just one or two, but a full infestation. Right next to the coffee mugs, a whole family of cockroaches with eggs was staying. If room service actually cleaned every day, how could this go unnoticed?

Smelly water for both shower and face washing – it was unbearable and made us feel dirty after trying to clean up.

For families with kids, these issues pose serious health risks. Children are more vulnerable to allergens, bacteria, and respiratory problems from cockroach droppings. The used soap and foul water can cause skin infections or worse. A holiday should be relaxing, not a fight for basic hygiene.

My strong suggestion: if the hotel cannot maintain minimum cleanliness, they should restrict stays to adults only (18+). But honestly, no guest should be subjected to this, regardless of age.

I went away for a holiday to unwind, and this hotel made it one of the most disappointing trips ever. Save your money and your health – avoid this place unless they completely overhaul their cleaning and pest control.

2026-05-04 via Nuitee
G
Grant solo_traveller au
8
2026-05-04 via Nuitee
J
Jordan couple au
8
Short sharp n pleasant
Pros:

Good pub

Cons:

It was good

2026-05-01 via Nuitee
V
Vanessa couple au
7
2026-04-30 via Nuitee
S
Spong solo_traveller au
9
Pros:

Cool hotel . 2nd time there .

2026-04-28 via Nuitee
P
PetA family_with_children au
3
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Stuffy room

2026-04-27 via Nuitee
Z
Zhaoyan solo_traveller au
7
2026-04-23 via Nuitee
P
Paul solo_traveller au
7
Pros:

This was a cheap and cheerful option compared to other accommodation in Newcastle...and in a great location. The pub downstairs has a super friendly vibe with a restaurant too.

Cons:

The shower room facilities are basic and could do with some refreshing but given the price it was not a big deal for me.

2026-04-22 via Nuitee
A
Angelica solo_traveller au
8
2026-04-20 via Nuitee
T
Tammy family_with_children au
7
2026-04-19 via Nuitee
J
Jason solo_traveller au
10
Perfectly situated budget hotel close to Newcastle CBD area.
Pros:

I just needed a bed to stay in for the night while passing through Newcastle. Perfect solution for that, but obviously not exactly luxurious. You get what you pay for and this was great value for $$$

Cons:

It was all exactly to the expectation of what I paid for.

2026-04-17 via Nuitee
S
Scott solo_traveller jp
9
Pros:

The chicken wings were amazing.
Walked in off the street we were in our room about 10mins later very easy very quick.

2026-04-15 via Nuitee
P
Peder solo_traveller se
2
Cons:

Svårt att hitta ingången. Dörren vid hotellskylten ledde in i en spelhall. Fick gå till baren för incheckning. Kuddarna i sängen luktade surt. Ett bottennapp. Boka inte detta hotell.

2026-04-13 via Nuitee
G
Gary family_with_children au
4
Pros:

Location is great for what we required. Staff were friendly,
Great little old pub but the rooms could definitely use a little TLC.

Cons:

Grout in bathroom and shower were terribly mouldy.
A couple of the bed base slats were broken allowing the mattress to sink.
Blinds and windows were difficult to open and close.

2026-04-07 via Nuitee