BUG review
This neat and tidy hostel is a great place to stay. It features a lovely outdoor sitting area under the veranda plus a nice garden with fruit trees and a petanque court and guests have use of three tennis courts. The hostel's common area has internet access, a TV and a good kitchen (with lot of utensils but no oven). Accommodation is in mostly douvle and twin rooms - there is only one dormitory. The bathrooms are very clean and there is also a semi-outdoor safari bath, which is a nice luxury if you haven't had a good soak in a bath for a while. It is near the centre of Renwick and it's close to Blenheim Airport and the vineyards. The hostel rents bikes for $25 per day, which is good value.
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Price Dorm bed $25 ($22 BBH) Double room $52-68 ($46-62 BBH) Twin room $58 ($52 BBH)
Prices include breakfast Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Watsons way is a fantastic backpackers. As well as being the least expensive place we stayed in New Zealand, it was also the cleanest. Both Pat and Paul (owners) are extremely helpful. The backpackers was purpose-built and the facilities are first-class. Our room was en-suite for NZ$18 a night each. There is free bread and jam for breakfast. The kitchen is large, modern and well equipped. We put a rack of lamb on the barbecue for dinner and ate it on the decking outside overlooking the mature gardens.Its also in a great location. There are 25 wineries with 5 kilometres. Renwick is a better place than Blenheim to base yourself if you are interested in touring around the vineyards. Watsons way supply bikes; this is the ideal way to see the wineries as the roads are quiet and fairly flat so easy to cycle around even with a few glasses of wine taken.
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8 people found this review helpful
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Dave Kidway
United States
Fantastic place in Marlborough wine country 8 December 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Dave Kidway
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11942)
An absolutely fabulous stay. Incredibly clean. Great hosts. Superb location.If you're going to stay in Marlborough then make sure you stay at Watson's Way. And don't forget to rent a bike from Paul and Pat for some wine tasting.
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10 people found this review helpful
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Maria
San Francisco, USA
Loved this place! 22 June 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Maria
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11943)
The owners were very kind to accomodate our late arrival (past 10 p.m.). We stayed in a double which was very nice as it had complimentary towels. The bathrooms, kitchen and lounge were clean and spotless. Breakfast was also included- toast and delicious home-made jams! This place was very relaxing. I would definately recommend it to anyone.Cheers and Happy Travels!
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9 people found this review helpful
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Mary
Happy Valley, Australia
Better than some 4star hotels I've stayed in 26 February 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Mary
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11944)
My husband and I stayed in Watson's Way's ensuite double in Renwick during our recent trip to New Zealand by accident as we were trying to stay in Blenheim. Paul Watson, the owner of the hostel and his wife Pat, were incredibly helpful, informative and very kind to us and to all of their guests (without being intrusive or "in-your-face"). They were two of the sweetest, most decent, most down to earth people we've ever met. Our room was an ensuite double which was decked out better than some bed and breakfasts inns we've stayed at for 4 times the price. Warm polished wood floors, a very cozy bed with lovely, generous quilt, water and wine glasses by the bed (as this hostel is in the heart of wine country, and closer to more wineries than Blenheim is), and the cleanest facilities I've ever been in. Our ensuite had a brand new hairdryer and even a towel warmer, plus a shower that seemed brand new as well (lots of hot water with plenty of pressure). I tell you, the niceties and amenities in this place are remarkable for the price you pay. Also, there is free breakfast toast and jams provided, which was great, and right in keeping with the generosity of spirit which embodies this hostel. There are also numerous healthy fruit trees of so many varieties from which guests are encouraged to help themselves, a large, modern kitchen that you could eat off the floor of, and many other features too numerous to name. The hostel is a labour of love for its owners, and all who stay there reap the benefits of their love of their place. Watson's Way is an exemplary hostel, and we've stayed in hostels, motels and hotels around the world - we honestly didn't want to check out. Thank you Paul and Pat.
