BUG review
This is now the only backpackers’ hostel in Fox; luckily, it is a good one. It would be party central if it weren’t for the fact that everyone is either readying for or recovering from a glacier hike. Hence, it has a social but mellow atmosphere. It has a fair amount of character and a colourfully decorated interior, but the doors don’t lock so security is an issue. There is a large, well stocked kitchen and some convivial common rooms, as well as a nice veranda that some rooms open on to. Dorms are a bit cramped and cluttered, and they only have one power point, which is inconvenient when everyone wants to charge their camera for the next morning.
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Price Dorm bed $26 ($23 BBH) Double/twin room $65-80 ($60-75 BBH) Family room $90 Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit cards MasterCard, Visa
Reception open summer 8am-8.30pm daily; winter 8am-6pm daily
The dorms are clean, other facilities are filthy 24 April 2006
Pros:
The fact that the dorms are clean
Cons:
Those two despicable receptionists
camelia
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 354)
When I got there, there were two receptionists looking down on me and other people, extremely arrogant and cocky. They asked for a security deposit (for the key) even though I stayed only one night and I did not use that key.
The toilet was broken down, the water was running, the showers were old, stinky and used and the kitchen as outdated, old and stinky.
I will never go back to that place and those saying that it is clean, live like pigs at home. And the guys at the reception were just disgusting.
Fabulous location, brilliant managers, excellent facilities 6 April 2006
Pros:
Well designed rooms and excellent common areas/kitchen
Cons:
It rains a lot at Fox - nothing to do with the hostel!
therese
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 276)
A 5 star hostel. Great set-up, with some dorms in a share house kind of setting.Staff were friendly and absolutely brilliant - they could even explain why the ice appears to be blue at the glacier.
Good common area - OK room / bathroom 9 January 2006
Pros:
The kitchen and dining area and the music played!
Cons:
Didn't like the shared bathrooms - small and not so clean
luv2travel
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 57)
The best thing about Ivory towers is the kitchen and dining area. We had a good time cooking and then having breakfast/dinner with soft mellow music playing in the background. Also there was plenty place to sit around and relax.The room was ok.. very basic. We didn't like the shared bathroom. Very small.. no place to even hang our towel + it could've used some cleaning. Staff was friendly and helpful.
0 of
7 people found this review helpful
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Cal
Scotland
I want a mini-cinema like theirs!!!!! 1 September 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Cal
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12400)
O.K so the t.v room is like a mini-cinema w/ old cinema seats and a big wide screen t.v.Great stuff.The place was lovely n clean.A nice big lounge w a wood burner/fire.Huge kitchen and our dorm was basic (a wee bit cold ) but clean - and they did put a radiator in for us. Great place to meet people.Not a party atmosphere n the outdoor spa is out of action but overall warm n homely.
9 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
England
Excellent hostel 21 April 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12401)
Stayed here for a few nights in a dorm off from the main building and it was soo nice, had its own kitchen and bathrooms and living areas, and met loads of great people here. The TV room was amazing, so comfy! Fox is a really nice village as well, remember to bring cash though as there are no ATM's. The glo-worms are like 20 seconds away at the bottom of sullivans road to the left and lake matheson is just stunning about 5 mins away in a car! Great hostel in my top 3!
5 of
14 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Manchester, UK
So so - varies greatly depending where exactly you are 11 January 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12402)
I was expecting a double room in the hostel but got put in a cottage someway down another road sharing with two other couples. It turned out i was better off in the cottage as this was better than the hostel itself, well equipped and very clean. When i used the bathroom in the main hostel building, this was very different and needed an extremely good clean as did some of the other rooms there which looked rather "lived in". Staff were helpful and you can hire bikes. Friendly communal areas. Has atmosphere too. Fox Glacier village is better than Franz in my opinion.
10 of
13 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
UK
The Best Fox 28 August 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12403)
Great Place great feel to the place from the moment you walk in the door. Music Mellow good spot to go ice climbing. The staff are great helpful and cheerful. Great west coast sunsets, and the locals in the pub are funny as.(not to be missed)The locals in Fox are a lot nicer then in Franz J Not as many people.
3 of
12 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
i liked it 31 January 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12404)
i liked the place, maybe because the nature all around is so outstanding, the hostel is cosy and clean, close to the supermarket and bus stop, the lady at the reception though, even if very kind, didn't make me feel very welcomed
1 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Aotearoa
OK and clean rooms, but noisy and not friendly 25 August 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
(Review ID: 12405)
Nice clean rooms that are adequate to keep off the persistent rain. For the number of people staying there, they have relatively small and crouded common area, and as a result can be noisy. There was insufficient car parks but plenty of off-road parking, not that it matters if you are backpacking.The place is laced with sarcasm and you get the feeling that at any time a certain Mr Faulty and his crew is going to greet you at the door.
10 of
13 people found this review helpful
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Mike L
(cosmic_freestyle@yahoo.com)
from Washington DC, USA
Washington DC, USA
Cozy, spacious, clean and ample 12 January 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Mike L
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12406)
Ivory Towers is a great BBH hostel. Their simple one-floor layout offers quick access to a number of shower/bathrooms. The dorm style rooms are all quite spacious and comfortable, with sliding doors leading out to the smoking veranda. The TV room is relaxing, and the kitchen has more than enough counter space and cooking room than it needs. The dining/gaming area is set up with diner-style seating. The front desk staff is very helpful, even setting up any number of activities in the area - to include the glacier hikes. For a (small) fee, they do your laundry for you, and also offer mailing and emailing services. Petrol, pubs and restaurants are all nearby.
