My Honest Review on The Hostels in Queenstown New Zealand

The holiday season in New Zealand is not a good time to visit – if you are someone looking for employment and temporary accommodation.

The country sees four public holidays between Christmas and New Year. 

Searching for a job? You might have to wait till the mid of January to get back any response.

Finding a bed in a hostel? It will cost you more than the off period; you might not even find one at the last minute.

I happened to fly into Queenstown in the middle of a warm December. Thinking that three days would be sufficient for me to settle down to a job and a more permanent place to stay, I booked a bunk bed in my first hostel for just three nights. That turned into another six nights for two other separate hostels.

Whether you stumbled into this post as a budget backpacker or a working holidaymaker, this post is written from my experience living in three (now four) of the good hostels in central Queenstown.

I have also included Tahuna Pod Hostel as I returned to QT several times over my working holiday. YHA Queenstown by the Lakeside was a great place to stay too. But with the pandemic and lack of travellers, the hostel ceased its operation in Nov 2021.

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Adventures Queenstown (stayed Dec 2019)

The Adventures Queenstown was the first place I called home for three days in New Zealand.

This hostel is managed by friends who share the same vision of operating quality affordable accommodation for travellers.

Located at 36 Camp Street, which is a stone’s throw away from Fergburger, Fergbaker, Mrs Ferg, Adventures QT organizes daily evening events that help solo travellers break the ice and make new friends.

Sadly, the hostel is located on the second level with no lift access. They have a cosy lounge room on the same level and a well-equipped kitchen on the third level. Both levels have balconies that overlook the mountains.

Security: Your lock to secure your valuables or keep them in the locker room. People do not usually lock their doors for shared bunks. The main door closes at 8 PM; need a passcode to enter.

Wifi: Strong and reliable

Six-bunk room (with ensuite toilet): Clean private toilet, with a window looking out at Lake Wakatipu

Bed: Creaky, too soft, sinks in, grubby sheets. I slept in my sleeping bag liner.

Kitchen: Big, spacious, and well-equipped. Has free-to-use condiments. What I love most about this hostel.

Laundry: Eight dollars to wash and dry your clothes

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Absoloot Hostel (stayed Dec 2020 and Jun 2020)

Absoloot Hostel is this cool and chic budget accommodation located at 50 Beach Street that offers an unblocked visage of Lake Wakatipu.

This hostel spans four levels and has a small lift. The lounge, game room and laundry room are located on the ground level. The kitchen is on the second level.

Security: An access card with a lanyard attached that opens your door and the main gate. Charge a refundable $10 for the card. Need locks to use their locker.

Wifi: Unstable wifi. Have to re-login every time I returned to the hostel.

Six-bunk Room (with ensuite toilet): Bright white room with large windows.

Bed: Spacious, stable beds that do not creak. I slept well here.

Kitchen: Small kitchen with limited seats but a stunning view overlooking the mountain and lake (see profile photo)

Laundry: Four dollars each for washing and drying, an additional two dollars for washing powder

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JUCY Snooze Queenstown (now Lylo) (stayed Dec 2019 and Aug 2020)

JUCY Queenstown is probably the best place to book for those looking for more privacy in a shared room.

Situated across the street from Adventure Queenstown at 47 Camp Street, each pod in JUCY has a privacy screen, light source, ventilation system and an electric socket.

The laundry and locker rooms are on the ground level. A very small kitchen is on level 2. The hostel has its pub on level 4.

Security: Easy check-in managed by e-booths. A refundable deposit of $10 for the card to the room and main gate.

Wifi: Free unstable wifi

Eight-bunk Room (no ensuite toilet): Small showering cubicles.

Bed: Very comfortable bed, spacious in the pod. Hygienic. You need to slot in your access card—any card works well too, actually—to turn on the electricity for your pod. Comes with a rolled-up privacy screen by the bed

Locker: Lockers underneath the bed come with a built-in number pad

Kitchen: Pathetic, no freezer, very little space to sit down for a meal

Laundry: Four bucks each for wash and drying

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Tahuna Pod Hostel (stayed Oct 2020)

Tahuna Pod Hostel is a 5-mins walk from JUCY Snooze Queenstown at 11 Henry Street.

The hostel has a small private carpark that runs full by midday.

Most facilities – kitchen, toilets, lounge – are located on the second level. The ground level is for the receptionist and laundry, and rooms are on the second and third levels.

As with Jucy, I appreciate the privacy curtains that separate your space from the public. But the interior of Tahuna is cluttered and strangely designed due to the outline of the old building.

Security: Bring your locks

Wifi: Free, stable

Double pod six-bunk (ensuite toilet): Clean with your own electric socket

Bed: Very comfortable. I slept like a baby.

Locker: Big spacious locker in a cabinet by the wall.

Kitchen: Clean, fully equipped with pots, pans, and cooking utensils. Can get very busy during cooking time.

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Base Backpacker Hostel (didn’t stay, almost did, glad I did not)

I almost stayed in Base Backpacker for my first three nights in New Zealand and would have regretted my decision if not for the people I met at a gathering back in Singapore two weeks before my departure.

They listed their lack of hygiene, facilities and ill-mannered staff as reasons why I should not stay.

I have never stayed in Base but have heard stories about this hostel from other backpackers. 

It is the cheapest hostel in town, and when things come cheap, it will attract more strange folks. You get the value for the price you pay.