BUG review
This nice 1903 kauri villa has a pair of lounges, two kitchens, a dining room with a log fire, pianos, guitars, a fish tank, and loads of character. It’s very homely and lived-in, and probably the best place in town to get the scoop on local info and history. The lovely owners have put together several books with photos and articles on all things Whangarei; they’re incredibly, painstakingly detailed, and a treasure trove of information. The Bunkdown Lodge sleeps only 22 and the accommodation is fairly basic. There’s a little courtyard in the back that has an aviary filled with finches and canaries; dogs and cats are also roaming around. In all, it’s a very charming and welcoming place.
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Price Dorm bed $22-$24 ($20-$22 BBH) Double room $55 ($50 BBH) Twin room $50 ($48 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
I have to agree with MaoriHotty's review below.The hostel is very clean, and has the best facilities I have seen so far - with 2 living rooms, 2 kitchens and numerous showers and bathrooms. Kitchens have all the utensils you need and everything is kept clean. The living areas are filled with tourist information and interesting articles on the area and also the owners (they are quite well know in the circles of art and literature)The owner is a bit odd and has a "unique" sense of humour, but it's harmless and I personally found him quite amusing. He does excel at giving information on the area and has some great advice on things to do.The hostel is lived in my the owners and they use the same facilities as the backpackers. This has good and bad points; the good is the hostel has a homely feel to it and also everything is very well maintained. The bad is the homely feel is "their" home, you do feel like you are intruding sometimes; in fact on one occasion I was "told off" for leaning back on my chair.If you want a quiet stay and a good nights sleep this is the place, if you want chats long into the night and a few beers look elsewhere.
Homely, owner has dry wit, very amusing and very helpful with local knowledge 15 February 2009
Pros:
excellent kitchen and commom areas
Cons:
small charge for linen
pearlndavid
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12647)
Had 2 living rooms 2 kitchens, dining area and outside garden bbq area so good for socialising. In living room had piano, guitars, free movies (John Waynes movies rock!) there are others, loads of shower and toilet facilities and well situated walking distance to town centre.
Pick up from bus station and return free.
It starts off with a very pretty old-style building, and then it just gets better! A clean and friendly hostel with a very homely atmosphere. In fact, the building is the home of your most helpful hosts Noell and Peter that happily share it with travellers. There are two kitchens with everything you might need, a dining room, lots of showers and toilets as well as a lounge room with shelves lined with dvds. The garden is open for the backpackers (there’s a bbq!) and they explicitly ask you to please use the herbs and spices that grow in it. The dorm we stayed in was awesome, facing the garden with 6 big windows. Comfy beds and the best pillow I’ve had during my 3 months of travelling all over Oz. It is not like any other hostel, it’s just brilliant and I can’t talk it up enough. I’d recommend it to anyone..If you plan to go to Whangarei for diving the Poor Knights, I can’t think of a better base! Dive! Tutukaka can pick you up from the hostel in the morning and drops you off at night. Too easy. You will certainly appreciate how quiet the hostel is after a long day of diving! The only downside that I can think of is that there’s no Internet access, but there are places nearby.
Extremely comfortable beds, however it was a bit of a strange atmosphere. 11 November 2008
Pros:
The beds were very comfy and the 2 kitchens well equipped. Also very secure.
Cons:
The bloke who ran it was a bit odd and mildly condescending.
MaoriHotty
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 11845)
The beds were the most comfy in any backpacker I've stayed in NZ and the kitchens were both well equipped and clean. There's free tea and coffee and you get a free pick up from town when you turn up. The bad thing is the bloke who runs it is quite strange and you feel a bit like you're staying at his house (cos it is!). Therefore you find yourselves all whispering in the kitchen at 9 thirty in the evening! Also the bloke says things like "keep your shoes tidy or I'll tell your parents". Which is a strange thing to say to a 25 year old who moved out 6 years ago...
If it wasn't for the oddites it would be one of the best backpackers around. So if you need a good nights sleep, stay here.
5 of
6 people found this review helpful
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Kate
Hawkes Bay
Excellent friendly place to stay. The best this trip 25 July 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Kate
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11050)
Fantastic place to stay, very comfortable and it is well located. Noell and Peter, the hosts, are friendly, helpful and funny, it was good to have a laugh. They also made sure I was picked up and gave me good tips for travelling around Northland. I loved my stay and will be back.
2 of
10 people found this review helpful
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cosmicdonkey
Manchester, UK
Fantastic Place 21 April 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
cosmicdonkey
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11051)
We stayed here in a double room in Jan 04 and it was one of the best hostels in NZ. The owners really make you feel at home and the dogs are gorgeous! It is very clean and has a lovely lounge and kitchen - just like home. Would recommend to anyone!
8 of
11 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Ireland
what sense of humour? 15 October 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 11052)
stayed here one night, felt like we had to escape into town for dinner to get away from the poor jokes - maybe the irish are an easy target??wouldn't stay here again
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16 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
UK
A real gem 11 February 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 11053)
A superb little hostel that's like living at home (in the nicest possible way!) Peaceful and homely.Peter has a superb sense of humour - you must go on his FREE Glowworm tour (also dubbed the bullsh*t tour!!) it's excellent fun!A great place to stay for diving the Poor Knights Islands. If you're staying in Whangarei, check out Bunkdown.
