BUG Review
This YHA-associate hostel is set on large grounds on the other side of Kuirai Park from the centre of town. Accommodation ranges from tent and campervan sites to lodge dorms and private chalets. Rooms were reasonably clean but had clearly seen some wear and tear, as have most of the facilities. There’s a big thermal pool on site, as well as a café and bar. Kitchen facilities were large but not fully equipped; there are barbecues available, but they cost 50c to use. Many large school groups and backpacker buses come through, and it has something of a holiday camp feel to it.
Price Dorm bed $25 Single room $42 Double/twin room $58-$70 Camping $9 per person Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Pros:
I'll never have to see it again
Cons:
Dirt, theft, rude staff, worn sheets, noise, broken facilites...
australazier
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(2)
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(1)
Second stay in 4 years, still one of the worst. I thought things MUST have improved, but not.The bins overflow, there are just two fridges, one of which is warm inside, and no freezer. 2 of the 6 cookers weren't working and if you want cutlery, you have to wait in line for a pack which you have to return immediately. The polyester sheets have holes in, the "chalet" walls are thinner than paper. Add food theft, excessive noise (car horns, puking, etc until about 3am) and rude staff, and you have KiwiPaka. A real let-down to the usually good YHA name.
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(Review ID: 1120)
Bad service killed the experience, customer comes last., January 7, 2007
Pros:
It was easy to find.
Cons:
Worst showers, total lack of respect and customer service.
NZ21215246380
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Maintenance
(3)
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(3)
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(2)
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(2)
Horrible service and standards. Stayed in a twin private chalet, chalets being the most expensive (assumed best) accommodation on the premises. The shower had no pressure and was either freezing or boiling. I asked the reception staff to fix it. When I returned to the hostel in the evening it wasn't fixed, a lady at reception said she sent the maintenance guy over and the shower's working fine and I just need to learn how to use it. When I said I've been using showers for 25 years she replied she's done her outmost best, that she knows nothing about showers and if the maintenance guy says it's ok there's nothing more she can do (although she never went to check herself). The ceilings are paper thin and sleeping is impossible when people walk or make noise upstairs. The kitchen's much too small for the amount of people staying there, and unlike normal hostels that provide all the utensils and cutlery, you get a tray that you have to pick up and return every time you want to eat something, but, the people at reception will continue answering the phones and doing work on the computer even if you've been standing there for 10 minutes and you were there before the phone rang, they'll just keep answering phone calls and you won't get a chance to speak until the phone stops ringing, which is quite ironic as I've been told to call back later when I originally called to book. I decided not to stay a further night and the staff sneered at me when I was getting my key deposit back. Overall experience much below average compared to most other hostels in NZ, which are great.
Pros:
Decent bar, nice spa pool!
Cons:
Floppy beds and basic rooms
chix
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
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Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
I stayed here a few years ago but thought it was a nice enough place. The bar had a decent selection of NZ's finest Monteith's and the tables were slices of tree trunk! Nice spa pool for relaxing in after a hard day's exploring. Stayed in a twin room which was pretty basic but did the job. Possibly a little walk into town but didn't bother me as we'd hired a car. I'd happily stay here again.
Pros:
Nothing
Cons:
It was a soulless and dull experience
Justin1
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Maintenance
(2)
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(2)
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(3)
Atmosphere
(2)
Welcome to Butlins.This was a soul-destroying, pile em high, soulless experience masquerading as a modern and efficient chalet-style hostel.It's not as near the town centre as all the guide books state, the reception staff were frosty, the duvet covers and bedsheets were threadbare, a dirty colour, and needed replacing, the room was incredibly small and dark, you had to go outside and down a passageway to find the bathroom (not very pleasant late at night), the on-site breakfast was overpriced, need I go on?Best advice - find somewhere else to stay.
