BUG review
The Paradiso is known as Nelson’s “party hostel”, but it is not typical of one. It is in a nice large restored house and everything is well maintained. It offers heaps of facilities including two TV lounges, a pool table, swimming pool, spa, sauna and a beach volleyball court. The large outdoor kitchen is fully-equipped, clean and well maintained. Dorms have comfortable beds, bedside lamps and clean en suite bathrooms. They also offer laundry, internet access and tour bookings. Every night they have free vegetable soup, plus a free breakfast every morning. The atmosphere here is cheerful and fun, but not as impersonal as most party hostels. Management and staff are very friendly and helpful.
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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 $22-26 ($20-24 BBH) Double room $56 ($54 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit cards American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa
Fantastic hostel. loads of cool people and brilliant range of facilities 11 September 2009
Pros:
sauna, spa, swimming pool and of course the legendary party bus!!
Cons:
The weather...too much sun!!!
jchichon
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12837)
Had an awesome time here. unlike most hostels i've stayed in where u feel kind of anonimous this one gives u such a warm welcome it's difficult to leave!! the reception staff are really genuine and friendly and there's always somebody interesting to talk to.....plus nelson's sunny so having a pool on sight is a major bonus....everything here is so unique, as soon as u arrive u want to investigateone minor critisism is the internet room, it's too hot in the summer but i didn't really have time to use it!!
Pros:
Friendly, clean, community spirit, great fun!
Cons:
nothing
chrisc
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12717)
I have stayed at Paradiso many times and i love it - staff very friendly and accommodating - love ya Rhonda!!
great place to meet in the large kitchen or chill out in the big green bus! Clean, great showers, pool, everything you need.
Paradiso has got to be THE WORST hostel we've ever come across.Don't be fooled by the great-looking pix from the website and the raving reviews. We've recently visited, and were horrified with the REAL Paradiso (see pix we took of our room). Rhonda, the VERY RUDE operator/receptionist was not at all surprised and symphathetic when we complaint over the disgusting, health-hazard of a room she rent out to us. She did not even offer any apologies, resolutions or refund and we ended up staying elsewhere because we were concerned over breathing & sleeping in the NOISY, SMELLY, MOULD-COVERED room.Picture speaks a thousand words - check out these URLs, judge for yourselves & save yourselves the troubles! img145.imageshack.us/img145/9996/paradisonelsonnzcobwebs.jpg img511.imageshack.us/img511/1003/paradisonelsonnzfloormo.jpg img516.imageshack.us/img516/3028/paradisonelsonnzmorecob.jpg img411.imageshack.us/img411/1479/paradisonelsonnzmoremou.jpg img144.imageshack.us/img144/3194/paradisonelsonnzmouldsc.jpg img529.imageshack.us/img529/3281/paradisonelsonnzmoulds.jpgimg144.imageshack.us/img144/7554/paradisonelsonnznotices.jpg img524.imageshack.us/img524/43/paradisonelsonnztoiletb.jpg
Thin walls, cold rooms and colder showers 4 June 2006
Pros:
Good laundry facilities
Cons:
Unhelpful staff, cold showers
xineharsell
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(1)
(Review ID: 478)
We had to ask twice to get a working heater in our room. The walls are so thin I could hear the entire 1 am converation of the folks next door. The army of people cleaning the hostel couldn't answer basic questions. There was no hot water in the morning - contrary to the managers promise it did not warm up afer twenty minutes. I didn't warm up at all.
9 of
16 people found this review helpful
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bluangel_bug02
Vancouver, Canada
I think over rated 12 June 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
bluangel_bug02
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 12035)
My bf and I stayed here for one night in 'the cabin'- a double room with ensuit. (ensuit which combines toilet and shower in the same 9ftsq space :{) The staff were really nice, and the internet room which is in the attic is pretty neat but watch your head! The kitchen(s) we nice and well stocked, but our cabin was a little disappointing (felt very stuffy and stale), and as I said the bathroom was 'unusual'. After one night we decided to give Club Nelson a try (which we enjoyed a lot more!). Over all Paradiso wasn't a paradise, and I wouldn't recommend it.
9 of
14 people found this review helpful
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Paul
London, UK
Overcrowded, Overrated and a long walk to the city 20 April 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Paul
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 12036)
This place has a great range of facilties that always seemed to be closed, broken or overcrowded. The sauna is only open 7.30 to 10pm each day and the spa 4 to 10pm. The staff do their best but are obviously tired and overworked. The room I stayed in was tiny and crammed full of beds. Of all the 'best price in town' internet terminals only one was actually working, and unsurprisingly it was always occupied. By far the worst thing though is the distance from the town centre - want to go out to the pub? Look forward to a 20 minute walk each way. Need to catch a bus that doesn't pick you up at the hostel? Carry your pack for half an hour in the rain. Unless you have your own transport I strongly suggest that Bridge Street or even the YHA would be a better option.
12 of
19 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Yorkshire, England
Adequate, but overrated 20 August 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12037)
I can't grumble too much about this place. It served my needs for a 2-night stay, but I think its overrated. It'd been really billed up to me, but after staying there I would say that its pretty ordinary. With 2 friends I stayed in the 'Cottage', which is, well, basically a cottage outside. Although pleasant, it was fairly cramped inside. The kitchens are not bad, but get very busy. For pool lovers (swimming types that is) there is one outside, and nice seating areas for summer. This place gets very busy quickly, so that is something to bear in mind, but if you do decide to stay elsewhere you will not be missing a great deal.
12 of
19 people found this review helpful
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Keri
Boston, USA
Packed hostel could be a gem 29 November 2001
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Keri
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 12038)
The Paradiso offers a great kitchen in a solarium overlooking a pool and sauna. Of course, this is hard to get to with staff and extra guests spilling over onto every spare couch/chair etc.Several of the large rooms do not have locks - may be a security concern for some.
