BUG review
Funky Green Voyager is a cool, friendly hostel on a quiet street. It’s been around for a while but is very clean and well maintained. Facilities include a great kitchen and a sunny common room with lots of books (and no TV). The walls are covered with photos, art and framed articles. Outside is a nice big yard with a barbecue, picnic tables and a separate smokers’ gazebo. A second building across the road houses a few internet PCs and more dorm rooms, as well as another kitchen and common room – it’s not as atmospheric as the original house but is quiet and has its own charm. The ‘green’ in the name refers to the colour of the house, but this is also an environmentally-friendly hostel, with loads of recycling and composting bins. Rooms are clean and comfortable, and there’s just an overall great vibe here. The owners are fun to talk to and great sources of local information.
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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 $22-23 ($19-20 BBH) Double room $51-59 ($45-53 BBH) Twin room $49-51 ($43-47 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
This is a great hostel, we loved ourc stay here, the people were great, room was clean, bathroom was cleaner than my bathroom at home, nice people stayin there, nice lounge area, very homely.
Pros:
Clean, friendly & quiet loaction
Cons:
Reception closed at 6, pay in cash
bdoo
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 43)
Stayed in the Funky Green Voyager for 1 night in a double room for for NZ$55 in Dec 2005. Owners very nice, when I left my mobile there they posted it home to me when they received a stamped addressed envelope from me. The only ensuite room seemed to be located in the owners house across the road, I think it was only rented out when the hostel was full. Nice garden to lounge about in. Its about a 10 to 15 minute stroll into town. They had parking available in the drive way and outside on the road. Did not use the kitchen. The only fault I had was that you had to be there before 6pm to check in and you had to pay in cash. I would stay here again.
3 of
8 people found this review helpful
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Brian
UK
Perhaps one of the best hostels in the North Island 3 September 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Brian
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12220)
This hostel is excellent. The new owners are really friendly and full of energy, and are continuing the traditions which make this hostel a fantastic place to stay. The rooms are warm, mega clean, and the kitchen is well equipped. The garden is lovely. You will find it hard to top this small well run backpakcers!
1 of
9 people found this review helpful
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Chel
Vancouver
Fabulous dahling 28 August 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Chel
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12221)
Ok, it's pretty hard to top this hostel. First of all, Paul and Tam (new owners) are excellent and they know what they're doing. Thanks to them, the hostel is extremely comfortable/clean/friendly/well-run/kickass/etc... The kitchen is awesome (eggs for sale, lots of ingredients for free use). There isn't a tv (thank god) but lots of games (scrabble!!!! Aaagh!), books and a spit-roarin' fire. Oh yea, and we mustn't forget the lovely sunroom. The rooms are comfortable and clean as well, and the people who stay there are a good sort. It's just outside the city centre (just walk a block or two down), which is nice too. Oh yea, and it is the most environmentally-friendly hostel in NZ. No joke. I was really impressed.Thanks Tam and Paul!
9 of
9 people found this review helpful
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gill Harker
england
excellent place with friendy,helpful staff 16 April 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
gill Harker
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12222)
As an older traveller, i am maybe looking for different things in a hostel (less niose!!). I found this hostel clean, with a good kitchen and common areas. A nice garden to sit in, if a little smelly. No TV but pently of books and games. It was very quiet at night,so you can get a good nights sleep ready for another day of adventures. The owners were freindy and very helpful. I would recomend this hostel to anyone.
9 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Canada
one of the best 2 April 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12223)
People here really work hard to give visitors a warm and comfortable experience. The travel information was excellent and the facilities couldnt be faulted. Id go back without a doubt.
10 of
10 people found this review helpful
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K
Australia
Best hostel ever stayed at! 1 March 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
K
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12224)
This is a terrific hostel with friendly owners and lovely touches. By far the best hostel we have ever stayed in, and highly recommended to others.
8 of
8 people found this review helpful
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Guyer
Sunnyvale, California
Loved it! 12 February 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Guyer
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12225)
This was one of our favorite hostels in New Zealand. We stayed in the double ensuite which was awesome! We had a big comfortable bed and our own bathroom for use. Where we stayed (across the street from the dorm rooms) was like our own house with a couple of other guests. The kitchen and common area were always very clean and the staff was super friendly. Highly recommend the double ensuite!!!
1 of
9 people found this review helpful
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Gladys
Malaysia
Just lovely! 28 January 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Gladys
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12226)
Such a warm and lovely backpacker's. Cheap too. Gotta book in advance, fully-booked all the time. The hosts were very friendly and helpful especially on recommendations and bookings for places to go to around. I like the cosy setting in their common room, feels like home away from home instantly. Clean towels, clean showers and a comfy room to go back to after a full day of sight-seeing.
7 of
8 people found this review helpful
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Juli
Manchester UK
a good all rounder 20 January 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Juli
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12227)
Friendly enthusiastic staff. Clean and tidy. Bad points? OK the beds aren't made up (its a sleeping bag situation) our double room was a bit small and our heater didn't work but i can't complain because everything else was spot on. Nice communal areas. The staff are very good at helping you with enquiries about what to see/do and can book stuff for you. Good recycling. Nice outdoor area. Quiet street. I would definately stay there again.
