BUG review
Tucked down a long road and hidden in the bush, Hekerua Lodge is a fantastic little lodge with an uncommonly relaxing atmosphere and heaps of charm. A prayer flag-festooned deck overlooks a little stone swimming pool with a waterfall and a spa pool. Accommodation is set in a pair of wooden houses; the TV-less common room is very cosy, and made-up beds are comfortable (and come with mosquito netting). It’s a 10-15 minute walk into town via a path through the bush. Hekerua Lodge is close to Auckland but feels like a universe away; no wonder so many guests seem like they don’t want to leave.
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This hostel was visited by one of BUG's team of hostel inspectors who write independent reviews and assess a star rating based on an objective assessment criteria.
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Price Dorm bed $26-33 ($23-30 BBH) Single room $48 ($40 BBH) Double/twin room $75-$110 ($70-$100 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit cards American Express, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
Personable, friendly & helpful host. Facilities could do with a spruce up. 13 November 2010
Pros:
Secluded, in the bush, host very helpful.
Cons:
Linen provided in separate unit very dated and in one case holey.
Rcnt6
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 13182)
Host very friendly & helpful. Drove us places free of charge. A unique place set in the bush which is becoming a little run down. Could do with a bit of maintenance and the purchase of some new linen.
Had a cool outside decking area in a bush setting. 11 November 2008
Pros:
The outside area and "in-the-bush" setting.
Cons:
The beds were uncomfy and the woman who ran it was a bit of a sourpuss.
MaoriHotty
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 11846)
The walk up from the village bit through the bush is really cool. Also the outside decking area is a real suntrap and a great place to relax etc while the Sun is out. The kitchen is nice and clean and had plenty of utensils etc. Although it was a bit pokey. The lounge was homely(in a good way) and most of the people there were easy-going. The only downside was the woman who managed it (who I think is new to the job) put a bit of a dampner on the atmosphere. Saying things like "decide now cos I finish at 8 and if you talk to me about work after 8 I'll ignore you" which is fair enough apart from the fact she mentioned this every time you brought anything up! She had fairly poor people skills.Apart from that if you have a big group all having a drink in the evening on the decking it's pretty cool and fits the chilled out atmosphere of the whole island.
10 of
10 people found this review helpful
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sue vanner
England
would give it a four and a half if i could!!! 13 February 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
sue vanner
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 11818)
we have just come back from a week on waiheke, and we stayed all week here! it was great. the staff were friendly and the facilities great! everywere is really clean, the staff do a really great job always making sure everywere is spotless. the kitchen is the best equiped kitchen weve seen! only bad point was it did get a bit busy at times as its quiet a small kitchen.the room was lovely, bed very comfy. the deck area was great to sit around in the evening chilling with a glass (bottle) of wine!! it is a great place to sit around and meeting people as its small enough. we just spent the week lazing around and playing a few board games with the great people we met there. defantly worth a stay! especially as waiheke is so worth a visit!! so close to the city but such a different life!
13 of
17 people found this review helpful
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Anne & Alan
- yes, hate to admit it but Aucklanders
Love staying here 26 May 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anne & Alan
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 11819)
Found Hekerua Lodge by accident and have now stayed twice and heading back for our third visit. Nothing is too much trouble for Mark and Owen. Great mix of people both local (Aucklanders!) and from overseas. Absolutely love sitting on the deck with nothing but bush and birds around - the spa's just great too - even better now you don't have to pay for it!!
