During my bus trip around New Zealand, I stayed in a total of 13 hostels throughout the North and South islands. Some were fantastic while others were…meh. There were so many different variations though! A couple had a bit more of an outdoor feel while the ones in the city were a bit trendy with their layout. Most were clean (bathrooms & bedrooms) which is probably the most important thing to look for in a hostel.
In any event, here are two places that stuck out to me – one for being the worst of the bunch and the other for being a paradise.
The worst hostel I visited:
The first hostel I stayed in in the South Island took the cake for this title. It wasn’t AWFUL, but it was the worst of the bunch. When I checked in, they put me in a cabin that was a new extension of the hostel. You could tell these new cabins were essentially to accommodate any overflow of people they had during their busy summer season. It had that ‘quick build’ temporary look. They placed about 8 cabins in a small rectangular space beside the original hostel building, with just a wooden fence separating the two (as though we were outcasts). The cabin itself was small (two bunk beds in the form of an L shape with barely any room for one rolly carry on suitcase (much less four if it was full). The cabin was clean though so I’ll give them that.
The bathroom for this space however, NEEDED to wheel an come again. It was essentially an outdoor porto potty. When I discovered this, I could only laugh. Laugh and shake my head in disbelief, cause I too wanted to cry. A whole porto potty is wah I paid for? Really? Is not to say it was even da fancy one wid da likkle A/C & separate stalls na (anyone who’s been to a fete/event with the fancy bathrooms know what I talkin bout). Dats where it got a hefty no no from me. They had indoor bathrooms available in the main building which is exactly where I marched myself to anytime I wanted to use the facilities. I definitely used the inside showers as well cause I wasn’t about to fight up with whatever make shift shower they created outside. I couldn’t man.
The porto potty 
The outdoor shower – and this wasn’t camping eh
The worst part of this hostel experience though (believe it or not) was the kitchen. A mixture of guests not keeping it clean and it not being maintained, the small layout did not work well when two bus loads of hungry people strut in all at once to try an cook food. People on top of each other scrambling for semi clean utensils was not a cute look. The general cleanliness of the kitchen for me scored about a 2.5/10 and the utensils and kitchen resources were definitely lacking. It was a fight to the death for a space on the stove. Of course no one was intimidating me though cause I use to fight up in lines – if is one ting my Caribbean upbringing teach me is to mek an hold ya space – normally in a bar line but a kitchen will do too.
The best hostel I visited:
It’s name was the The Albatross Backpackers Inn and it’s located in a town called Kaikoura in the South Island. A short weekend trip with a friend brought me there. It was the perfect combination of home & hostel, character & organization. The place was so good it inspired me to write a story about the time we stayed there. Here goes it:
*Clears throat sound*
“The best hostel ever.”
You walk in and there’s a nice funky vybe, quirky but clean – you head to the reception.
Greeted by the description of the room in human form, a curly haired girl with a strong accent (British Country) immediately asks what you’ve got planned during your stay.
Pleasantries exchange and she proceeds to show you around (the town via a map and hostel via escort) and offers you guitar lessons. Then she escorts you to your upgraded room – two beds, instead of four. Just because. (You may or may not be this lucky but, put it out there)
The room’s warm (from the heater they’ve put on for you), the sheet’s comfy and you’ve got your FREE onesie from reception.
You’re all good to go right?
But, there’s more….
Free coffee, tea and spices for cooking and a free stuff space (past guests leave things for others to take). A board indicating if anyone’s offering a ride or needing a ride (to a different town).
People in the kitchen cooking their dinner – using the space but not obnoxiously hogging it either. Cleaning their dishes when they’re finished. No signs with memes or exclamation marks ‘telling’ people otherwise (a common trait in many hostels).
After making your food, you spot a game of ‘Cards Against Humanity’ and join in on the fun – Germans, Aussies, Brits and a West Indian all making fun of everyone and everything in a game. Stories are shared – these guests like the hostel and work there in exchange for accommodation. Their bravery inspires you.
You head back to your room, the art on the walls leading the way, you grab your FREE towel (a proper fluffy one too might I add, not no frail up ting) to jump in the shower & brush your teeth.
Mirrors in the room.
Fluffy pillows on the bed.
Encouraging messages on the walls.
You know when people with good hearts own and run a place.
You just know.
*end story*
These simple touches and much more made such a major difference to our experience. There was definitely a great vybe going on at that place which I’ll never forget. The service was amazing and I’d suggest if anyone was in the area for them to go and stay there. To be fair though, this was during slow season while I visited the one above during busy season which would contribute to the different experiences as well. But still. This was was the best.
In the end though, there are a variety of Hostels available for you to choose from when making your journey, in New Zealand and in the world. These have been some of my experiences but I’ve shared some tips on how to find & survive at a hostel when you stay there in my next post.
Do you have any hostel stories? Share in the comments below!
Disclaimer: What I wrote about are my experiences at certain hostels in New Zealand. It doesn’t reflect how they are all over the world (much less in that one country) but instead simply what I encountered. So, remember dat when reading.
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