47-49 Shotover Street, Queenstown Tel (03) 441 1185 Websitewww.stayatbase.com
BUG Review
This Base hostel enjoys a central location and has a full-on party atmosphere. It attracts a young backpacker crowd, who attempt each night to cram into the tiny, messy kitchen to cook. The dorms are modern and clean, with good mattresses and beds made-up in Base’s trademark black and red. Each dorm has a fridge and telephone and some have a small balcony with mountain views. There are plenty of toilets and showers that are newly renovated, but which quickly get dirty. There is also internet and Wi-Fi access, a laundry and a full service travel agency and tour desk. When we visited we found the reception staff to be abrupt and discourteous.
Price Dorm bed $26 ($25 VIP) Single room $78-98 ($77-97 VIP) Double/twin room $78-98 ($76-96 VIP) Triple room $135 ($132 VIP) Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Pros:
Service was great, really comfortable bed, clean and although kitchen was small was well equiped
Cons:
the showers were hot but timers were short (water conservation?) Kitchen size
Marny Fischer
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(5)
I had a great time while in Queenstown, Discovery Lodge was great! Although kitchen is a bit small it was clean, I couldn't believe that some people just used and abused! I think we should all be considerate of one another and respect the backpacking tradition of thinking of others after you. Had some very drunken nights, which I had been warned about and met some people who I am still travelling with in Altitude (their bar). It is a big hostel, but I had a great stay in comfortable beds. I would recommend to anyone wanting to experience a full Queenstown atmoshere, bustling with life and party.
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(Review ID: 6013)
Real party hostel, small rooms, tiny kitchen, squeeze them in and ship them out, August 12, 2007
Pros:
Everybody here is there for a party, security is good,
Cons:
the rooms are tiny and the kitchen is small and unbelievably badly laid out
callump
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Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(4)
Stayed here because I came of the Stray bus which stays here along with the Kiwi Experience. Not a lot of space and you definately feel that once you have paid your money then all they want is for you to check out again so they can get more people in. Although there is a kitchen it is far to small for the size of the hostel having all the hobs at one end of the room so that at dinner time everyone is falling over themselfs to cook a very stressfull time.However there is a great atmosphere here and I did have great time.
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(Review ID: 1256)
Noisy, cramped dorms, overcrowded kitchen., March 9, 2007
Pros:
Location's good, I suppose
Cons:
Too much to mention in one line
ukulelemaybe
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Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(3)
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(3)
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(3)
It may be pretty clean and well maintained and the facilities on the face of it may seem good, but that doesn't tell the whole story. I had a private room, but I went in some of the dorms and they were extremely cramped and stuffy. The kitchen is too small for the size of hostel and closes too early. The pushbutton showers are pathetic. The bar downstairs stays open very late and produces a lot of noise which you can hear in the rooms. Not a nice place to stay unless you're a real party animal who's eating out all the time.
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(Review ID: 605)
Good first impressions but then a big letdown, July 16, 2006
Pros:
Central location close to various attractions
Cons:
Filthy kitchen
Zengarden
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
First impressions led me to believe that this was a clean hostel. The room was spacious and there was even a balcony (with absolutely no view).But then you look at the kitchen and it made me want to check into the YHA across the street. I was so embarrassed to be a backpacker. Nobody seemed to be concerned with cleaning up their own mess. Dirty dishes always seemed to overflow from the sink, from baskets underneath the sink, etc. The hobs were impossible to light. We had to go and ask for matches each night in order to ignite the flames. I also found the hobs to be closely packed together so it became a hazard to cook because you could walk into the next backpacker's pan of eggs or be set on fire!Was impressed with bar security who took safety seriously and ejected a backpacker who was seriously drunk and obnoxious in his attempts to paw at and fondle female backpackers.This place looks good on the outside but it really wasn't that great. Stay somewhere else but come back to party at their bar, Altitude. At least you know they are looking after backpackers in the bar area.
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(Review ID: 364)
Unimpressed, would not stay here again., April 27, 2006
Pros:
Good location, good internet & friendly staff
Cons:
Dirty kitchen, poor atmosphere, push-button showers
KmacL
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Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(2)
Very disappointed in this hostel. As it's so new I expected far better. For a start, the kitchen was far too small for the amount of people staying here, and it was dirty. The sinks were full (I mean overflowing) with unwashed dishes, surfaces were messy. There was only one TV room for the whole place & it was also far too small. The showers were the worst of any hostel at which I stayed (push button!) and cold. To top it off they didnt even work on our floor! Dont stay here.
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(Review ID: 285)
Failed to live up to expectations, April 7, 2006
Reviewer: peterridding from Port Maquarie, Australia
Pros:
Excellent staff, extremely friendly and helpful
Cons:
Filthy kitchen, no hot water
peterridding
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(2)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(1)
A very large backpackers, thus missing the more friendly atmosphere with other travellers. Used the kitchen twice and the other users had left a disgusting mess. The staff were brilliant, friendly and helpful. I guess it is best suited to the young party goer rather than the tramper or traveller. Room was very new and big, with ensuite, but no hot water in the evening or morning, and only one light switch near the front door. The cost was $90.
Pros:
Modern
Cons:
Above a bar - the noise in the room was unbearable
pumpkinseed
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Maintenance
(5)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(2)
No complaints about the cleanliness and facilities. However, if you're looking for a good night sleep after a night out on the town, or if you actually want to go to sleep early, this is absolutely not the place for you. The hostel is above an extremely noisy bar and this is very apparent as soon as you turn in for the night. Music and general noise thundered into the room until the early hours of the morning. What a shame.
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(Review ID: 12327)
Brand new - with a bar too!, February 2, 2005
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
I shared a triple room with friends, we had our own bathroom (clean!) and the beds were wicked, great sleep. you can play DVDs and CDs in the ensuites which was cool and Altitude Bar was hard case - boat races (not what you think). Its still new so more plain than most hostels but with $10 dinners, net cafe and travel shop, its a great spot, and no walking home at 3am.
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4 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 12328)
Great place but poor service, October 2, 2004
Reviewer:
elizabeth
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(3)
Cleanliness
(3)
Facilities
(3)
Atmosphere
(3)
A very nice centrally located new hostel. We stayed in a double room for $65 a night. It was a huge room of hotel standard and neutrally decorated. Over the phone we were told it was an ensuite - in fact we shared our bathroom with others, there are many small shower rooms along the corridoors that can be used by anyone. They initially undercharged us and told us when we checked out that we owed another $105 without an apology & without letting us know earlier during our 7 day stay. Great bar in the hostel with superb 2 for 1 offers. A shame our stay was spoilt by their mistakes.
