Commonwealth Hotel

Hotels
7.6 (753 reviews)
35 Union street , Newcastle , au

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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.
A deposit may be required at the property.

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 753 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
C
Chris • solo_traveller • au
7
Nice to return.
Pros:

Location and value. Friendly, helpful staff.

Cons:

Shared bathroom needs a little TLC.

2026-06-10 • via Nuitee
L
Lina • solo_traveller • au
5
Pros:

I did not end up staying here because I didn't read properly to see that it was only stairs and no lift. But the 2 young ladies that were there were wonderful, so helpful and I was so grateful to the manager that let me cancel without a fee (i think they saw my frustration) and they also helped us to find a more suitable place to stay 😊 i didnt get the names but they were the 2 that did a tiktok while we searched for other hotels 👍 thank youse

2026-06-08 • via Nuitee
S
Swan Lady • solo_traveller • au
5
Pros:

Close proximity to public transport.

Cons:

Dirty fridge, German cockroaches on fridge and crawling under the jug.
Absolutely dirty Shared bathroom.
I have photos to proof.
Would like a part refund
Please be in contact with me regarding these issues
I could only add a couple of photos

2026-06-01 • via Nuitee
M
Małgorzata • extended_group • pl
5
pokój adekwatny do swojej ceny
Pros:

Nie korzystałam ze śniadań. Lokalizacja była odpowiednia

Cons:

pokój i łazienka brudne wymagające generalnego remontu. Ręczniki w kolorze granatu odstraszające, nie wymieniane przez 6 dni! Żaluzje z kurzem kilkuletnim bardzo trudne w zamykaniu i otwieraniu, niestety przy lodówce zagnieździła się rodzina prusaków (karaluchów). Śmieci nie wybierane przez 6 dni. Gdyby nie to to pokój spełniał by warunki do swojej ceny. W łazience szczególnie dla kobiet przydałby się prysznic ruchomy- zdejmowany. W restauracji bardzo smaczne i niedrogie jedzenie, część barowa z bardzo bogatą ilością napoi. Niestety ulica bardzo ruchliwa dlatego hałas szczególnie w nocy był męczący. ( pojedyncze szyby) Obsługa miła i pomocna na tyle ile było to możliwe.

2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
M
Michael • solo_traveller • au
3
Pros:

very noisy because it's on top of a pub. There was a match going on downstairs. I couldn't sleep until 11pm!

Cons:

Aside from noise, hot water is tricky to operate. Shampoo dispenser was broken and left there. Extra shampoo bottle was provided tho.

2026-05-29 • via Nuitee
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
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
D
Dresshti • couple • au
7
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
G
Grant • solo_traveller • au
8
2026-05-04 • 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
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