BUG review
The main building of this hostel has a homey feel to it, but the other two buildings are quite run down motel-style units and some dorm rooms are unclean. If you get lucky, there are two dorms in the main building with a great lake view. They have good facilities in the main building, too, including a huge spa pool, a nice little TV lounge, cheap laundry and internet access as well as a kitchen that could be better maintained. The hostel has a young, buzzing atmosphere and a great location.
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 $26-28 ($23-25 BBH) Double/twin room $70-75 ($65-75 BBH) Camping $14 per person Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit cards American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Reception open summer 7.30am-9pm daily; winter 8am-7.30pm daily
Good place to stay in while in Te Anau 19 April 2007
Pros:
Nice location along the lake
Cons:
Kitchen is very small and very basic
Amaru
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 4655)
Had read quite a few negative reviews about this place and didn't quite know what to expect.We booked a double room with ensuite and ended up in our own little cottage with free towels and a TV. We were very happy with our cottage, very nice and clean and for the price we paid it was a steal =)The only negative about this hostel is that the kitchen next to us (there is a bigger kitchen in the main house) was very basic, just one stove and not that many utensils.Considering the price we paid and what we got for it I would stay here again if I'm in the area in the future.
Not great, but a good option in Te Anau 17 January 2006
Pros:
Price, the managment, the view & location
Cons:
Needs some renewal work done.
aaronzig
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 69)
This place fronts onto Lake Te Anau, and if you are lucky enough to stay in one of the front dorms upstairs, you get a massive balcony which has a pretty much uninterupted view of the lake, which is right across the road.Jude, the manager is very friendly and she is very helpful when it comes to booking activities in the area. The office does their own bookings so you dont have to go into town to visit a booking office. The center of Te Anau is about 5-7 mins walk along the road that runs past the lake. It is about 2 mins walk to one of the tourist offices that a lot of the tours for Milford Sound depart from.The rooms are pretty big. I stayed in a 6 person dorm which also had an ensuite bathroom, a lounge room and its own kitchen. (This kitchen is quite handy, given the expense of eating out in Te Anau.) The only criticism I can level at the place is the state of the rooms. They are not unbearable by any stretch of the immagination, however, the kitchen may not stand up to strict "neat freak" standards (though it's still usable), and the bathroom is also a bit of a let down. The toilet ran, and the pipe on the bathroom sink leaked over the floor & your feet. The beds are also a little rickety and tend to squeak during the night.Having looked at the other budget accomodation options in Te Anau, I'd say that this place is still the best value in town. While the general maintanence of the place could use some work, I found that overall, it is quite a pleasant place to stay, and given it's price per night, it is extremely good value. (Especially given how expensive Te Anau is) I'd stay there again.
5 of
13 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
England
Nice rooms 24 April 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12471)
We had an amazing room, kitchen, dining table and living area, showeroom and a massive balcony with beautiful views of the lake.The rest of the hostel was a bit dissapointing, the main kicthen (although we didnt have to use it) was crammed full and didnt look to pleasant and none of the 6 internet points seemed to be working.A beautiful setting by the lake and a beautiful little town, not a bad place at all, just as someone has said get a room with a name not a number
8 of
10 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
Manchester UK
even the cat bites! 20 January 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 12472)
There was a warning notice up on the wall of our room telling us not to touch the cat as she bites. This is a good indication of the vibe really cause the place is not very good at all. Unhelpful and rude. Room was drab and dreary and needed "cheering up" with some new paint and colours.Not a very good atmosphere. Our room was clean and its a nice enough location but this place is nothing special.
1 of
8 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Anonymous
alot depends on where in the "complex" you are 14 January 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12473)
A complex of a few buildings, my accommodation was described to me on the phone as "one of our cottages" but this was no roses round the door place. It resembled a ware house unit crossed with a 70's granny flat - horrible dark green decor and couches with holes. Needed a fit out badly. The staff weren't so good though - i got left waiting ages whilst a member of staff proceeded to serve everyone else behind me. On the plus side was clean and is in a nice location . Not bad on the whole but could improve. Not the worst place i have stayed but not the best either.
9 of
10 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
Verena
Germany
Nice and clean 12 December 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Verena
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12474)
We stayed there only one night but our room (6 beds) had an own bathroom and an own kitchen. The rooms were clean and the bathroom/ shower was good.There's another big kitchen, big enough for a lot of people, internet access, you can rent a bike, book horse riding, watch videos and so on. The stuff was very nice and helpful.
