21-23 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington Tel (04) 801 5666 or 0800 BASE NZ Websitewww.stayatbase.com
BUG Review
Base's Wellington hostel is a top quality backpackers' hostel near Courtney Place. It has a big reception area with bike hire and internet access including Wi-Fi (Global Gossip Connect) plus the main common area upstairs that has a kitchen, dining room, a TV lounge and a courtyard and there is a basement bar, although alcohol is not allowed within the hostel. The rooms are clean and the reception area is welcoming, although the main common areas on the first floor don't have quite as much atmosphere as they could have.
Price Dorm bed $26-29 Double room $85-95 Prices are in New Zealand dollars and are inclusive of all taxes.
Credit Cards American Express,Diners Club,MasterCard,Visa
I was really surprised to read the high security rating this hostel received. I thought it was awful. You didn't need a key to get into the big reception, which is fine, but you also didn't need a key to get into the stairwell leading to all the rooms. Therefore, anyone could get access to the kitchen, lounge, and bathrooms. When I was there, there was even a sexual assault on a girl in the bathroom (luckily it wasn't too serious and she got away) because she'd been followed from a bar. When I came back from a night on the town, there was no one present at the reception desk to provide security. In a small hostel, that wouldn't have been such a big deal, but being several stories high, it's hard for people to report if someone strange is wandering around.
10 of
11 people found this review helpful
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(Review ID: 11960)
Big and noisy!, February 16, 2005
Reviewer:
Kate
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This was the biggest hostel, and only Base hostel, that I stayed in while I was in New Zealand. Overall it was pretty good: the staff I dealt with were friendly and the place was clean. It was, however, very loud (due to the fact that there is a bar in the basement!) and the bathroom facilities were not sufficient for the number of guests staying in the hostel. The kitchen was ok, but best avoided during peak times since there weren't enough facilities for the number of people wanting to use them (and good luck finding your food in the fridge!). I think this hostel is probably best suited to people who are out partying every night and/or travel with earplugs.
3 of
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(Review ID: 11961)
Puts Base to Shame, October 24, 2004
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Base Wellington is the worst hostel we stayed in during our time in New Zealand. The place is lifeless and has no atmosphere. The hostel is HUGE and the facilities are not adequate for the number of guests. The standard of cleanliness leaves a lot to be desired. The reception staff are extremely rude and unhelpful. The room locks work on a swipe card system however while we were staying they very rarely worked and so a trip to reception was required each time you wanted to get into your room...not the best after coming out of the shower or if you were staying on the 6th floor!! Compared to other Base Backbackers we stayed in, Wellington seriously needs to pull its socks up...i'd advise any backpacker to stay else where while in Wellington!
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(Review ID: 11962)
huge, flash, clean, modern and anonymous, April 16, 2004
Reviewer:
student
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This place appears to be quite new and is HUGE for a backpackers. However, the facilities are very good, there is a nice bar downstairs and everything is very clean and flash. I do not regret staying there. Only 4 instead of 5 stars only because it is pretty large (many tourists prefer a smaller place with a more family-like atmosphere) and because the kitchen is somewhat small for a place of that size.Everything else is fantastic, and the location could not be any better - Courtney Place is Wellington's nightlife centre.By the way, I personally found the aquarium with the four tiny turtles near reception extremely cool!
