BUG review
On a hill a few minutes’ drive (or a 20-minute walk) from the city centre, Just the Duck’s Nuts is made up of a pair of suburban houses. There’s a log fire and cosy TV room with books and games, a second downstairs common lounge and two kitchens. The yard has a table shaded by a tree and good views of Mount Maunganui (about a 20-minute bike ride away). There’s internet and Wi-Fi access available. It’s not a bad spot, although it’s not the tidiest and cleanest place we’ve ever seen either. The owners will help you find local work.
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Price Dorm bed $21-23 ($18-21 BBH) Double room $50-56 ($44-50 BBH) Twin room $50 ($44 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
OK, I'll start by saying it really depends what you want, this hostel could be great for you or rubbish.If you want to find somewhere to get plenty of rest and quiet chat between working shifts then this hostel is great. But if you are travelling and want somewhere to kick back and have a few beers then go somewhere else. Shut down at 10 means 10! Lights off in the living area and everything.The hostel is split into two houses so I can only comment on the house we stayed in. The facilities are ok, a small kitchen with all the bits you need, a couple of bathrooms and one wash room. Rather annoyingly the bathroom is the other end to the rooms so you have to walk across the living room every time you go to the toilet.The place feels very worn down and could do with some work doing to it, rubbish and various machinery/bike parts can be found littered around here and there. It is not very clean - the washing machine looked so dirty we walked into town to use a laundromat.The owners are very friendly and can find work (but make it clear you want work, we thought they were finding us something but turned out they had forgot all about us).
When I came there about 1 year ago, I was planning to stay for about 3 weeks. And I ended up staying more than 3 months. Mainly because the owneres were very nice, there were nice people around, the hostel was clean and well maintained. OK, not everything was new, but is that really neccessary? Sue and Gordon found me a job soon after I arrived- Just the Ducks NUts became my home away from home!
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12 people found this review helpful
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Petra
Netherlands
Most homely hostel in New Zealand 18 March 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Petra
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12255)
I also intended to stay for 2 weeks but I left after 2 months. Its the most greatest hostel in NZ.It really feels home and thats cause Sue and Gordon make you feel home and never wanna leave.Every 2nd week they make a great BBQ, free bikes, help with finding a job and lots more friendly things.Go and see your self !!!
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8 people found this review helpful
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Daniela
Germany
Home away from home 3 January 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Daniela
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12256)
I intended to stay about 3 weeks, and I ended up staying 3 months. This is a great hostel, really a home away from home. It is comfortable and Sue & Gorden are very friendly and ready to help to find jobs and so on. It is one of the best and most comfortable hostels I've stayed in New Zealand. It just feels like home.
