Chateau Backpacker & Motels
About this hostel
Comfortable hostel with fitness center and spa tub This hostel features a fitness center, a spa tub, and laundry facilities. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include limo/town car service, a library, and tour/ticket assistance. Housekeeping is not available. Chateau Backpacker & Motels offers 43 accommodations with shared/communal kitchens. This Franz Josef Glacier hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms include showers. Recreational amenities at the hostel include a spa tub and a fitness center. The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
Amenities
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Smoking allowed
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Hot Tub / Spa
TV
Gym / Fitness Center
Garden
Map of Franz Josef / Waiau
Hostel in Franz Josef / Waiau
Reasons to book
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen / Kitchenette, Internet / Wifi and more
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Reviews
3.8/5.0
Good(228 Reviews)
4.0
This place was adequate for our two-night stay. Strong backpacker vibe, with free breakfast (waffles, cereal, toast) and evening soup. Helpful staff. The location was great. The room itself was dated and pretty small.
I'd say this is a case of you get what you pay for. It was very affordable and great if you're looking to connect with other travelers, but I think I would personally spring for a place a bit more modern with more amenities next time.
5.0
Had everything we needed
6.0
I liked that there was free hot soup in the evenings and a free breakfast. We arrived an hour early but weren't allowed to check-in. Also the rooms were not clean, there were bed bugs, the hot water tap wasn't functional and there were spiders in the room. I probably would look for a cleaner accomodation next time.
8.0
Really good size private room with comfortable bed which also had a mini fridge and little sofa. Decent bathroom. Staff were friendly and helpful. Free parking on site. Two good size kitchens and plenty of communal space but no atmosphere really so not great for solo travellers. Would not recommend using the hot tub - was filthy. Disappointed with laundry facilities - washing machine didn’t drain properly leaving my clothes soaking, dryer did not dry fully, and one of my T-shirts was stolen from the clothesline.
4.0
It was we expected from previous reviews. The motel room was smaller than expected. There were no places to hang clothes
5.0
everything was great! nice and comfortable room. from the room you can see the mountain. kitchen have all you need for cooking.
breakfast was nice and simple - crepe, tost with butter and jam, and cornflaks. The place close to resturants. the guy that work in the reception was super nice and helpful. thanks
3.0
We booked an ensuite room for 2 nights and it was perhaps the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on.
Chris, the manager, was friendly and helpful, making soup every night which was free for the guests, as was the breakfast of waffles, pancakes, yoghurt, toast and cereals.
Great place to stay and great value.
4.0
It was a nice hostel with friendly staff. Some younger people stayed up past the quiet time, drank and partied. The electric socket made some noise next to my bed. Other than that no complaints. Cheap with free breakfast and soup for dinner.
5.0
Brilliant place to stay, right under the mountain. Free soup and amazing free breakfast every morning. Lovely atmosphere all handled by the superstar owner/manager/bed maker, Chris. We loved it.
5.0
Cool place to stay for a short visit. Everything is at a walkable distance.
3.0
Good little base for exploring Franz Josef with free soup and breakfast. The studio was quite spacious but a little dated. The bed was comfortable, however.
10.0
Great price
2.5
stayed for four nights, the accomodation is conveniently accessible to the centre of Franz Josef. The bed was comfortable and appropriately sized. Breakfast, albeit simple, was provided. Highly recommend for any one thinking of travelling on a budget.
5.0
Loved the Hospitality &Staff very informative &helpfull..Awsome Stay looking forward &happily recommend this Motel/Hotel/Backpackers...
5.0
We loved having the soup on arrival, being able to have a continental breakfast included with pancakes and waffles. We like the undercover walking as it was raining and we were able to load and unload the car without getting too wet. The service was excellent.
5.0
Shared kitchen, pancakes included for breakfast and soup for dinner included
3.0
I am going to say surprised. I was expecting this place to be rough. We had comfortable rooms with shared clean clean washrooms.
The staff was very friendly helpful and happy. The chateau was quirky looking but a fun place with interesting people of all ages and nationalities Very close to restaurants bars and
2.5
I am going to say surprised. I was expecting this place to be rough. We had comfortable rooms with shared clean clean washrooms.The staff was very friendly helpful and happy. The chateau was quirky looking but a fun place with interesting people of all ages and nationalities Very close to restaurants bars and
1.5
We had a shared bathroom type room the first night and it was super tiny. We upgraded to an en suite which was much more comfortable. Nice to have the free breakfast and soup in the evening. Staff was great
4.0
We really enjoyed the free breakfast (pancakes/waffles, cereals, roasts and jams), the number of shared washrooms/showers was limited but we didn’t run into any issues. The hostel is well located, you can easily walk to the grocery store or restaurants.
2.0
No hot water during my shower. Claimed to have free breakfast, it was 3 round bowel of low grade cereal left on table and nothing else. No staff present. Office was still closed when we leave about 9 am. We just leave the key on the door. Worst paying stay I ever had.
2.0
The room was not very clean. The Breakfast was not available as the staff didn't turn up. The price much too high.
2.0
The room was not very clean. The Breakfast was not available as the staff didnt turn up. The price much too high.
2.0
We spent 3 weeks in NZ and stayed in diffrent places most nights, it think it is fair to say that the worst shower of the trip was in this Backpackers. No presure and either scolding or freezing.
The kitchen was also one of the worst equipt of the stay with only one sauspan to share round between the guests!
For a place of this size the limited hours of the front desk were also suprising, lots of rules about noise, etc, but knobody to enforce them.
Appart from the shower the room was generally comfortable and had a small fridge too. Everything in the town was within walking distance.
2.0
We spent 3 weeks in NZ and stayed in diffrent places most nights, it think it is fair to say that the worst shower of the trip was in this Backpackers. No presure and either scolding or freezing.The kitchen was also one of the worst equipt of the stay with only one sauspan to share round between the guests!For a place of this size the limited hours of the front desk were also suprising, lots of rules about noise, etc, but knobody to enforce them.Appart from the shower the room was generally comfortable and had a small fridge too. Everything in the town was within walking distance.
4.0
Well set up and helpful staff v comfortable for motel backpacker units. Just a shame there was no hot water in the morning for a shower.
2.0
Very expensive for what it is and the condition of the place. The staff are great and very helpful but the place is run down and desperate for a good cleanup.
2.0
Wonderful stay very cosy and warm in room. Owner /manager looks after guests by providing breakfast in the morning, pancakes toast jams syrup coffee tea, and soup at night too keep you warm plenty of vegetables and barley mmmmm yummy. Staff and owner very friendly. We enjoyed our short stay.
3.0
The. Young lady, she said her name was a Maori name, was great checking us in and helpful with questions. Soup was good and there was a nice selection for breakfast and both meals were complimentary. Beds were comfortable and room was pretty clean but everything needs a real good cleaning as in walkways and light fixtures above entries
5.0
Great friendly staff. Breakfast was good but as I’m not a morning person leaving out a little later would be good.
2.0
Although it was a backpacker place our room was very comfortable and we had an ensuite. Because it was a backpacker place there was free soup at night and breakfast in the morning
2.0
Although it was a backpacker place our room was very comfortable and we had an ensuite. Because it was a backpacker place there was free soup at night and breakfast in the morning
2.5
Got stranded in Franz Josef Glacier when the bridge collapsed, it was a cozy, chill place to hang for a few rainy day# complete with a fireplace. The kitchen is large, but I was initially quite stumped by the induction oven.
2.0
Bed was a bit narrow for two people
WiFi rubbish....total hot and miss
Took ages to eventually log on....but zero in room
Breakfast....first in Best Dressed. Seating is very limited
2.0
This place caters to backpackers and budget conscious travellers, it's definitely good if that's what you want. We had a double room with shared bathroom which was no frills but was fine for a night and clean and comfortable. The breakfast (pancake mix and waffle maker too) was a bonus and this was a quiet place to stay with no issues with late night noise. Franz Josef is tiny so it's easy to walk around the corner to the shop/cafes and restaurants etc. Visit from the fire engine was a bonus ;)
2.0
Great for a budget stay in what can be an expensive area. Facilities were very adequate even if a little long in the tooth. However this is what we were expecting and our ensuite double room was adequate and served its purpose. The waffles for breakfast were a nice, unexpected extra.The spa should be avoided as it looked and smelt like it hadn't been maintained for a long while.
5.0
Stayed for one night in a double room. Room was very comfy with and ensuite, kitchenette, and TV. Facilities included the use of the spa (undercover so can be used in any weather) and unlimited free wifi.
When we arrived, checkin staff were friendly and helpful. We also received free soup as part of our stay. In the morning, again free food! Great spread of toast, cereal, and waffles!
All in all a great place to stay and amazing value for money - will definitely be staying here again if we are in the area.
4.0
We spent 1 night in a double room with ensuite. It was clean and tidy as we'd expect. Free soup was available for dinner which was good for a starter. Free breakfast with waffles was a winner. Free WiFi was slow, but it was a wet day so I assume most were keeping themselves entertained. We traveled with a 1yo child and we felt welcomed during our stay.
4.0
Breakfast was better than usual for backpackers hostel, parking was a little tough to find, rooms were a little small......but I liked the manager, workers, cleanliness and price. Overall, good place for thrifty price!
4.0
Great accommodation at a reasonable price. Room was tidy and comfortable. Staff were helpful.
FAQs
How much does this hostel cost compared to others in Franz Josef / Waiau?
The average price for a rental in Franz Josef / Waiau is $76 per night. This rental is $18 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this hostel?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Chateau Backpacker & Motels. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this hostel?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this hostel. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Chateau Backpacker & Motels pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this hostel is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Chateau Backpacker & Motels?
We found 10 amenities for this rental. This includes kitchen / kitchenette, internet / wifi, smoking allowed, parking, and laundry.
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