BUG review
This is a home-style hostel in an old house that shows its age, but is cared for by the lovely family who own it. It is small, and has a cosy lounge area with log fire, a great international book exchange and internet access. Dorms are a bit cramped, but they have new mattresses and nice duvets. The kitchen is also small, but is kept very clean, and the bathrooms are nice and new. The atmosphere here is quiet and very convivial, and management are the friendliest and most helpful around.
About BUG's hostel reviews
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.
We show up unannounced at hostels to write honest and unbiased hostel reviews. Many of BUG's reviews now feature videos and photo slideshows. BUG never receives payment for listing any establishment and BUG's researchers never accept free accommodation in exchange for favourable reviews.
Price Dorm bed $25 ($22 BBH) Single room $41 ($38 BBH) Double room $58 ($52 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
This was one of the best hostels I stayed at in NZ and is more like a guesthouse. It has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere (only 8 beds in the house) which makes it easy to meet other backpackers. The owner Allan is really funny and loves to hang out for a chat, he will help you in planning your travels to other parts of NZ. The dorm room only has 5 beds (yay no bunks) and the free bike hire and internet use is great. Unfortunately the kitchen is tiny so only one person can really use it at a time, but apart from that this place is perfect!
3 of
8 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Brian
United States
Most memorable hostel in New Zealand 30 August 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Brian
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12049)
I absoultely loved this place. This was the last place I stayed in New Zealand, and I was planning on trying to get in as much as I could before I left. Instead, I just loved being at Tramper's Rest. It really made me feel like I wasn't living out of a backpack or wearing the same three pairs of clothes for the last three months. I felt like I was at home. I loved the other people there. He has an avocado tree in the backyard and some lemon tree that you can use to make herbal tea. I had to force myself to leave during the day or I would have just stayed and talked with the others all day. I love the no TV policy. Strongly recommended beyond a doubt.
8 of
20 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
UK
a place with character 8 January 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12050)
i would reccommend this hostel on the whole but have a couple of things to mention. Firstly, the cheaper double room is actually more like someones porch with a curtain across. Its attached to the main lounge, so if you value your privacy then this room is not for you.Also, owner likes to give lots of advice and suggestions so if you like to keep yourself to yourself then this place is not for you. Its no party place either. On the postive side (and there are many) this place is very clean, homely, small and friendly. The garden has lovely flowers, herbs and a hammock. Alan has lots of help and information for you and will pick you up when he can from the bus terminal. He knows alot about the local area and attractions which he will share with you. He also makes cake sometimes. This is a hostel were there are board games and lots of music rather than TV. It is also only a short walk away from the centre. I would definately stay again but if i was with a partner, i wouldn't choose that double room....
12 of
18 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
raffaela
a magic little place 31 January 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
raffaela
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12051)
this is probably the best place i've ever stayed. not just in new zealand. i do agree, people just look more themselves here than in other hostels, maybe because you get introduced to every new guest and eventually it FEELS like being part of a family...i'll never forget the music, Allan. and the cosy little room i had to myself -even if i wasn't Tina :)no wonder people fall in love with each other in your house...thank you. for everything.raffaela
6 of
13 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
germany
The greatest hostel in new zealand! 30 September 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12052)
Me and my girlfried stayed at Trampers Rest in April 2003. We spend a great time with Alan. Now i'm searching for his email address to contact him again. It's to expensive to make a phone call from germany. So, if someone knows his email adress, please send it to me! Thanx
7 of
18 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Boris
The Netherlands
It's a great and cosy place! 5 March 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Boris
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12053)
The owner Alan is a nice guy and always helpfull. It's like staying with you're overseas uncle. There's a piano and a very nice garden. Ony 5 minutes from town. They privide you with a discount card that you can use in The Victorian Rose to have a great meal for only 8,50$ and get a discount on beer as well!
15 of
21 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
Pornainen, Finland
The best backpackers on my 2,5 months visit to NZ 19 January 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12054)
I stayed in Trampers Rest in May-July 2001, at first for 6 days, and returned there for another 8 days a week later. The hostel is a few minutes walk from the very center of Nelson, in a pleasant wooden house with a garden of its own. Parking a car can be a bit problematic, but I always found a space somewhere near. The house has a dorm for 3 and two doubles, a livingroom, a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet, and Alan the owner's office and bedroom. Trampers Rest was the only backpackers of about 15 I stayed in during my visit to the South Island of NZ, where the owner actually lives in the same house himself. This gave me an impression I was really visiting him, not a hostel. This must be why also other visitors seemed to behave themselves better than in more impersonal hostels: you are not likely to leave the kitchen or the bathroom untidy after you IN SOMEBODY'S HOME! The house is very cozy and tidy, it is being cleaned every day. When I was there, the winter was coming on, and I noticed the house was warmer than other hostels I had visited. This was due to warm air from the fireplace circulating in all the rooms through a network of air canals above the ceilings. And the bathroom also had a fan heater! Alan, the owner, as well as a charming person, is very helpful and knows a thousand useful pieces of information about NZ, focusing on the South Island. But he doesn't stick his nose into your business unless you want him to. He is happy to lend you a bike, if you need one while staying in his home. In Trampers Rest you only watch tv to know if it is going to rain tomorrow, or by an agreement with all guests you can get to watch a quality movie on video. To me who was travelling alone this made a big difference: with no tv people tend to make aquaintance with each other much more actively, and interesting discussions often took place in Alan's livingroom, warmed by a logfire and an atmosphere of mutual appreciation of both young and older guests from various countries. Other popular relaxing methods among the guests seemed to be reading (a whole bookshelf full of interesting books you could read) and playing various games together, playing or enjoying others play the guitar, the piano, or just sitting back or lying on a sofa letting your thoughts drift with good music. This warm and loving home can only take few guests at a time, so booking in advance is essential.
