Birds Ferry Road, Big Totara River, Charleston Tel 027 431 0491 Websitewww.beaconstone.co.nz
BUG review
Staying at Beaconstone feels like you are at a retreat, while not being far away from civilisation. Accommodation is in a small lodge with only 11 beds and there is another cabin with a double bed tucked away in the forest. It is a self-sufficient eco-hostel that runs on solar power and it has spotless eco-friendly bathrooms. Amenities include a large cosy lounge and a charming kitchen. There are bush walking trails starting from different points around the property as well as swimming holes and the beach is close by. The owners are kind and helpful, and it has a very relaxing atmosphere.
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Price Dorm bed $28 ($25 BBH) Double/twin room $64-66 ($58-60 BBH) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Beaconstone is one of the best kept secrets of New Zealand; you'll want to stay more than one night. 24 April 2008
Pros:
Try the hot outdoor shower by candlelight.
Cons:
Nothing.
kpazek
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 8468)
Beaconstone redefines the meaning of hostel.The owners Grae and Nancy Stevens poured themselves into the building of this off-the-grid eco-lodge on the rugged West Coast of the South Island. It offers serenity from the well-beaten hostel route in New Zealand. It's the kind of place you want to stay for more than one night because...- a rejuvenating sleep...the futons may appear hard but they do wonders for a weary back. Constructed of organic cotton fill and a coconut shell core
- organic wool rugs and cotton wall hangings
- all water is collected rain water
- filtered drinking water
- enjoyable compostable toilets that don't smell...the view of the Paparoa Mountains from the toilet tower is stunning
- outdoor showers with hot water, beautifully hand-tiled and a storm lantern for a night time shower
- an organic veggie garden where you pick what you want...for free!
- solar power (and yes, you can plug in camera battery and cellphone chargers)
- access to the natural, wild wonders of the West Coast: the Opahara Basin, the Heaphy track, the Pancake Rocks, Nine Mile Beach, the coffee and cake of the Bay House, Fox River and Paparoa National Park
- no television, no internet, no loud parties...and that's what's great about it
- you can learn how 'living green and off-the-grid' is done right and with comfortThe delightful Nancy and storytelling Grae should charge more for a stay! If you've ever wanted to surf, ask him about 'The Legend'.
the most peaceful retreat with wonderful hosts 15 November 2007
Pros:
peace, comfort
Cons:
nothing!
heleng
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 6142)
I was nervous about the eco bit - but Beaconstone proves it can be done and still be comfortable. Totally off the grid but comfortable, all the essentials and luxuries too. Spacious rooms, great kitchen, warm, good showers and don't be scared of the compost toilets, no unpleasantness at all.Great hosts too - we spent Christmas 06 with them and Grae and Nancy completely ruined all of us.run to it.
11 of
12 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
USA and the Netherlands
Eco-Lodge that is comfortable for Everyone! 22 March 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12395)
When my husband and I were planning our trip to the west coast, another traveler recommended Beaconstone to us. I put it on our travel itinerary and my husband immediately objected- "Near Westport?! An Eco- Lodge!? That sounds a bit scary to me, " he said. We compromised and booked two nights. As soon as we arrived and met the owners, Nancy and Grae we decided to add 3 nights to our booking and even went back to stay for a couple of weeks.The best parts of this hostel are: 1. The owners- Grae and Nancy live in a house that is on site and really enjoy meeting and hanging out with guests. They are known to invite guests to go to the movies with them or sit in the lounge talking with everyone for hours. 2.The garden- there is a garden in the back with yummy lettuce, corguettes, pumpkins, potatoes- you name it- that guests are free to use.3. The toilets- Yes, this sounds strange but it is true. There is a great view from the toilets and they smell like wood chips and even have magazine racks. 4. The beds- are nice and firm- and if you get them made up (in the doubles or for a bit extra in a dorm) have nice fluffy down duvets5. The feeling that you can do NOTHING all day long and not feel guilty at all. There is a nice river walk on the property, as well as hammocks and books to borrow so I would recommend going there for a few days to relax after a walk or after a couple of weeks of fast paced travel. 6. Knowing that the whole place is run on solar power but still feels uxoriousThe only thing that I would have to say that I didnt like about this place: The sand flies! - But they definitely didnt ruin the stay for us.. just make sure to wear shoes with socks becuase they really get your feet!
7 of
7 people found this review helpful
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Rob
UK
beaconstone is awesome as the previous reviewer says 31 July 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Rob
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12396)
i too had a fantastic time here. see some photos of the place atwww.beaconstone.cjb.net
3 of
4 people found this review helpful
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Maria
San Francisco, USA
City slicker spends night at eco-lodge 21 June 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Maria
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12397)
When planning the itinerary for our South Island roadtrip, a friend (Laura) could not stop raving about this awesome backpackers she stayed at on the West Coast called Beaconstone and how we "just had to stay there". She couldn't stop talking about how great it was because they were an eco-lodge with composting toilets and futon beds made of natural fibers. Everything she said about Beaconstone was great, but I had to admit that I was still pretty hesitant to stay there. Laura is more of the "earthy, rough-it" Kiwi girl, whereas I'm a city-slicker from San Francisco. Though the beauty of the West Coast was inviting, the thought of staying at an "eco-lodge" kind of scared me. I wasn't sure what I would encounter besides the West Coast sand flies- a hippie refuge? But nevertheless, my friend and I went ahead and booked a night's stay at Beaconstone - an alternative experience backpackers retreat.17 km south of Westport, it can be easy to miss the sign when driving and getting caught up in the scenery. One of the first things you see when driving to the lodge is a rather tall structure, which I later found to be the composting toilets. When using the toilets, you become well informed about how the composting process works (they have a sign about it). Nancy and Grae, the owners and two really awesome people, told us everything we wanted to know about the lodge from the solar power to the great hikes right near the hostel. After taking a tour of the hostel, I wished we had booked for more nights. The place was great. I loved how it wasn't a loud, busy and massively-run hostel, but rather an intimate getaway. The hostel doesn't accomodate more than 14 I believe. We stayed in the dorm room (4 max) and it was great. Other things about the hostel: they have a fully equipped kitchen with an interesting toaster, spacious living/sitting room with lots of books, a big dining area and also an indoor night-time bathroom. The outdoor composting toilets are for day-time use. There is no TV or phone in the hostel which definately adds to the calmness and serenity of the place. Around the perimeter of the lodge are hammocks to lounge in and provide a great spot to watch the sunset.If you have the chance to stay here, you simply must go on one of the awesome hikes surrounding the hostel. On the walk to the river, one can see so many types of bush and plants. You might get a little mud on you at some spots, but hey, what's bush-walking if you don't get dirty. Other pointers I forgot to include is to bring your own food. There are no grocery stores or restaurants near by. If you want to eat out though, I would definately recommend the Bay House Cafe in Westport. It's a great restaurant overlooking the beach that serves superb meals and desserts. And also, when ever going to the West Coast, bring some sand fly repellant. I have to say, this has got to be the longest review I've ever written, but it is well-deserved. Beaconstone is simply amazing, even for this city-slicker. Take the time time to talk to Nancy and Grae, they're awesome! Tell them you heard about it from the seal team, they'll know what you're talking about.Cheers and Happy Travels!Found this website on Beaconstone....http://www.westcoast.org.nz/tourism/accomodation/beaconstone.html
