BUG review
This is a brilliant hostel decked out in a gorgeous global theme with tapestries and African masks adorning the warmly coloured walls. The main lounge has big sofas, a piano, a huge map, and tribal art, and there is a separate TV lounge with DVDs. The theme continues in the dorms, which are richly coloured with comfortable beds with thick duvets. The newly-renovated bathrooms are excellent, and there is a large fully-equipped kitchen which is one of the tidiest we’ve seen. There is also a spa pool, a sauna and a gym. It is next to a river, and guests have free use of kayaks and brand new mountain bikes. It has a great atmosphere and friendly staff.
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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.
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Price Dorm bed $23 Double room $56-60 Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Great place to stay on your way through 9 July 2007
Pros:
Colourful and cheerful hostel
Cons:
Not much else in Greymouth
paul1
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 5583)
We stayed here in Dec 06. This is a different hostel to a lot of others as it is colourfully decorated with different themed rooms and bright coloured walls, making it feel a more interesting hostel to stay in. We stayed in a double room which had no en-suite, but the shared facilities were good. Situated on a river and there were kyaks and bikes available. Good size hostel with lounge, kitchen, and video room. Staff seemed friendly and we had free chocolate muffins in the evening.
Terrible Customer Service received - most upsetting! 20 February 2007
Pros:
none
Cons:
Greyhaired guy who works in reception
samoht_74
saw things this way
Maintenance
(2)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(2)
(Review ID: 1215)
Disgusting service received upon arrival from middle aged grey haired man at reception. i arrived with my elderly mother, we had booked a room in advance. When asked if we could see the room first, this man told us rudely NO we couldn't, and when we told him that we had had some bad experiences over the last few days with backpackers being filthy etc and we would still pay for the room even if it was not suitable, instead of him showing just us the room he rudely told us to go away and stay somewhere else. unbelievable!
judging from other reviews, people seem to think that this place is nice...but going from my first impression on meeting this man at reception who lacks basic customer service skills and is just outright rude (should be sacked!) I would never recommend this place to anyone!
0 of
8 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Poole, UK
One of the best hostels in New Zealand 15 April 2005
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12429)
A really nice hostel with friendly staff. Free kayaks and bike hire. Colourful rooms and a video library. Had a good curry night when I was there.
6 of
7 people found this review helpful
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Orl
Ireland
best thing about Greymouth 6 August 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Orl
saw things this way
Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(5)
Facilities
(5)
Atmosphere
(5)
(Review ID: 12430)
Greymouth is gray by name and nature. Its a former gold mining town and there is v. little to see and do. The best thing about Greymouth is Global Village. It has an 86% BBH rating which speaks for itself.Much of the interior is painted orange (other hostels take note we dont want to stay somewhere that seems like an institution) and the décor has an African theme. Its really well-equipped; You can borrow kayaks, bikes, fishing gear, golf clubs etc for free. It has decking overlooking the grey river. There is free tea and coffee and muffins also. Girls they have hairdryers in the bathrooms. Its a 10 minute walk from town. If you insist on stopping in Greymouth (don't bother if you can avoid it) this is a lovely, clean place to stay.
10 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Tobias
Germany
good 10 July 2004
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Tobias
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12431)
A very well kept hostel with good facilities, and the free kayaking (which I didn't have time to try) is an awesome plus. They also had nice board games. A lot of work obviously went into the decor to give the hostel a cozy atmosphere. A 8 beds dorm costs $20 per person, 6 bed dorm $21, 4 beds $22 and 3 beds $23 (if I remember correctly). $2 come off these prices if you own a BBH card.Internet is available, $2 for 20 minutes. The only things that annoyed me were 1.) the slightly alternative, arrogant self-perception of the hostel - for example, there was a sign on one wall that said something like "free spirits have always encountered disagreement from mediocre minds". Also two of my friends stayed the night in the car because they couldn't afford accomodation, and the girl at the reception told me that if they wanted to sleep in the car on the hostel's car park, they would have to pay accomodation as well. I found that quite ridiculous, as the car park was big and practically empty, and the hostel is located a bit in the outskirts and there is plenty parking around. So I had to move my car to the opposite side of the road and it was fine. Stupid, especially because I woke my friends up in the process. 3.5 stars.
9 of
11 people found this review helpful
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Maria
San Francisco
Great atmosphere 16 June 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Maria
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12432)
This is a well-run hostel with a great atmosphere. The decor is African inspired so you are surrounded by rich colors everywhere. The kitchen is fairly big and well supplied, but get there early to avoid the mad dinner rush. A real treat of the hostel is that at night, they served delicious homemade banana bread. Not sure if they do that every night, maybe we just lucked out. Doing your laudry here would be a bit pricey. Other than that, I would definately recommend this place!
2 of
10 people found this review helpful
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Anonymous
Cambridge, England
Cosy and friendly backpakers 14 February 2003
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
(Review ID: 12433)
A nice place to stay out of the city and with lots of facilities including, gym, free Kayake and bicycle hire. TV room and lots of videos. Run by a cute brit girl Tania.
