BUG review
Egmont Eco-Lodge YHA is a clean hostel in a natural setting in suburban New Plymouth and it backs onto a stream where you can feed the eels. It has all the amentities you would expect including a lounge near the reception with internet access and a fully-equipped kitchen and accommodation is in tidy dormitories. The manager serves Egmont Cake every evening.
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Price Dorm bed $26-28 ($23-25 BBH, HI/YHA) Single room $48 ($45 BBH, HI/YHA) Double/twin room $66 ($60 BBH, HI/YHA) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Unhelpful staff, 1 1/2 k's away from town, close entry doors but do not lock. 13 October 2011
Pros:
lovely wildlife, doves, fantails, and friendly eel
Cons:
No heaters in the rooms, only 2 out of 3 showers had decent water pressure
debs
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 14637)
Was not impressed with this hostel, the staff member didnt have time as she was too busy to answer how much to use the laundry. The beds didnt look made at all, and person leaving the same day i arrived, her bed was left as they were not busy. No heating in the room, and i was silly enough to be there in the middle of their winter. Notices on the verandar and laundry door asking you not to lock them, just to close, lack of security and safety of persons staying here.
Only 2 out of 3 hours had decent water pressure, cobwebs in every cornor, floor didnt looked wash in a long time.
Reception hours are a joke, 8am-10am, and staff didnt arrive till 9:50am,opened the door and closed it and walked out.
Pros:
Close to Mt. Taranaki
Cons:
Managed by "Taranaki experience"
Roumi
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 113)
Please read this before you go to any of the facilities of Taranaki experience.
I would like to share unpleasant incidents my husband and I had with Taranaki Experience Company and its proprietor Gary Ogle. In October 2005 we reserved a room in Egmont Eco Lodge for Jan. 2006. Our credit card was charged for $60NZ. During our stay in New Zealand, we had to change our plans, and cancelled our reservation, about a week in advance. The person, who accepted our cancellation at Egmond Eco Lodge, directed us to Gary Ogle for refund, because he was the one to charge our credit card. I tried to talk to Mr. Ogle on the phone, and to clarify the situation with the charge and cancellation. Unfortunately, I could not get a reasonable response. Mr. Ogle told me, that it costs him a dollar a minute to talk to me (this is rude and inconsiderate to me), and that he will sent me an explanation via e-mail in the next four days. It has been one month, and I have not received an answer from Mr. Ogle. Back home I understood, that to get a refund from Mr. Ogle, one has to cancel 4 weeks in advance. I wonder how much of his company's income comes from cancellations, for which he does not give refund. My advice to the people who would like to stay at Egmont Eco Lodge or any other of Mr. Ogle's properties in the Taranaki/New Plymouth area: never make a reservation in advance; even if you are 100% sure you will be there on a particular date. Another unpleasant incident we had in Mountain Cafe, also part of Taranaki Experience. The cafe is located in Egmont visitor center. After two days of hiking (second day in heavy rain), we came to the Mountain Cafe and were glad to see it still opened. We ordered two omelets and two soft drinks, for which we were charged $38NZ. No register slip was provided to us. We compared the prices with the charge and found out, that the numbers did not add up. When we asked the man at the register, he apologiesed for the mistake, saying that his sister changed labels on the register, and returned to us an overcharge of $9.50NZ.My husband and I are regulars in New Zealand; we have been there six times since 2000. People everywhere are very friendly, and always making us feel welcome. This is one of the reasons we go there year after year. For the first time we had such unpleasant experience with Mr. Ogle and his staff at Taranaki experience. Please read this before you go to any of the facilities of Taranaki experience.
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Anonymous
A good place to stay 27 April 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 11947)
The Egmont Lodge is a medium size hostel situated a little outside of New Plymouth. The interior with its sixties style looks a little bit dated and so does the kitchen. What makes it a 5 star hostel is the great atmosphere. You can meet people of all ages and the host Lyn takes care of everybody like a mom. It's a place to feel like at home.
