When you hear the word hostel this might conjure images of chainsaw-wielding psychos from famous
horror movies or a place for smelly hairy hippies.
Well, in New Zealand, hostels aren’t THAT bad.
In fact, hostels are the most popular budget accommodation option for travellers.
If you have never stayed in a hostel before, then stick around because this guide will
tell you the dos and don’ts of staying in a hostel.
Hi guys, we’re Robin and Laura, the team behind BackpackerGuide.NZ, helping you plan
an epic trip in New Zealand.
In this beginner’s guide to backpacker hostels, we’ll go through everything you need to
know about staying in a hostel in New Zealand.
We’ll explain what to expect in a hostel room-by-room, as we feel this is the easiest
and best way to understand what a backpacker hostel establishment entails.
Plus, at the end of this video, we’ll give you 10 Essential Rules of Etiquette for Staying
in a Hostel.
And by the way, we work super hard on bringing you all these videos to help you plan your
trip in New Zealand, so show your support by hitting the like button below.
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Look, we’ll even pause this video so you have time to do that.
Thanks!
Now let’s get on with the video!
First up, what happens when you check into a hostel?
We told you this was a beginner’s guide!
And we’re starting from the basics.
If you have made a booking, you will give your name to check in.
If you have not made a booking, you will pay for your nights on check-in.
The receptionist will either show you around the hostel, which usually happens if it’s
small or direct you to the facilities and your room using a map.
They will also go over things you need to know about the hostel and any ground rules
like check-out is at 10am, no alcohol it allowed, the spa pool closes at 8pm, for instance.
Once checked in, you will be given a key or key-card to your room.
Now let’s talk about hostel dorm rooms.
The most common room-type in a backpacker hostel are the bunk rooms or the dorm rooms.
Dorm rooms usually range from 4 to 10 beds either as bunk beds or single beds in one
room.
Beds almost always come with linen and bedding.
They will also likely have a no sleeping bag policy.
However, the odd hostel around the country will offer beds at a cheaper price with no
linen, or linen will be available to hire.
When you book yourself into a dorm room, you book yourself into one bed of that dorm room,
while the rest of the beds will be occupied by other backpackers.
Or they will be empty if it’s a quiet hostel – you never know.
While most hostels have mixed rooms, meaning dorm rooms for males and females, some hostels
offer the female-only dorms.
Rarely, there are male-only dorms too.
So, what facilities are in a dorm room?
Most dorm rooms only consist of the beds with linen and no other facilities.
However, sometimes they might include an en-suite shower room and toilet, lockers, luggage storage,
a rubbish bin, table and chairs.
And, what is the price of a bed in a hostel dorm room?
If a hostel offers multiple sized dorms, then the more beds in a room the cheaper the price,
with a 4-bed dorm being the most expensive.
Dorm rooms can range from anything between NZ$20-35 per person per night.
Next up are Hostel private rooms.
Almost all hostels offer private rooms in New Zealand.
Most private rooms are double rooms i.e. have a double bed.
However, hostels also may offer single rooms and twin rooms.
Private rooms in hostels will have the bedding and linen provided and made up.
Often, private rooms also come with a towel and soap.
They may also have a rubbish bin, luggage storage, an en-suite shower and toilet, tea
and coffee-making facilities.
When you book a private room, you get the whole room to yourself.
The cost of a double or twin room is usually between NZ$60 and NZ$85.
A single room, when available, is more likely to be around NZ$50-NZ$85.
For these prices, we recommend also considering other forms of budget accommodation when staying
in private rooms.
Take a look at our Staying in a Private Room article, which we’ll link up in the description
below, for a comparison.
Now let’s move onto the communal facilities, starting with the kitchen.
Every backpacker hostel in New Zealand will have a communal kitchen, which gets a lot
of use from hostel guests.
Cooking for yourself in hostels is one of the best ways to save money while on the road.
Take a look at our super easy hostel recipes on BackpackerGuide.NZ for inspiration on what
to cook using hostel facilities.
We’ll like that up for you guys in the description.
So, what facilities do hostel kitchens have?
The facilities to expect in most hostels include: Fridges.
Stove tops or hobs.
Microwaves.
Kettles.
Toasters.
Pots and pans.
Chopping boards.
Basic kitchen utensils like knives, wooden spoons, spatulas and can openers.
Plates.
Cutlery.
Mugs and drinking glasses.
Sinks, towels and stuff to wash your dishes with.
Extra facilities hostel kitchens may have include freezer s and ovens.
There are a few things you need to know about using hostel kitchens.
The number one rule of using hostel kitchens is that you need to label your food.
Most hostels will provide stickers and have a sign telling you what to write.
It’s usually your name, room number and departure date.
Common practice is to put your chilled food together in a plastic bag, label the plastic
bag and put it in the fridge.
There will be a separate food storage area for food that can be left at room temperature.
Label this food in a bag too.
The second rule of hostel kitchens is to wash up, dry and put away your dishes after you
have used them.
And finally, obviously, don’t take other people’s food.
Take a look at our article on How to Live in a Hostel for more rules of etiquette in
a hostel.
Next up, what about hostel bathrooms?
Where do you go to shower?
For those of you who are not staying in an en-suite room, there are communal showers
and toilets.
Showers and toilets are separated into male and female bathrooms.
Usually, bathrooms will be on the same floor as your dorm or private room.
Showers and toilets are separated by cubicles, while there will be a row of sink basins with
some mirrors behind - much like any public bathroom.
There is usually a power outlet in hostel bathrooms for shaving or blow drying your
hair.
If hair dryers are not provided in the hostel bathrooms, then there is usual one to borrow
at reception if you need it.
One last note on bathrooms, shampoos and soaps are not usually provided in these shared bathrooms,
so you should always bring all your own toiletries to a hostel.
So what about Hostel receptions?
The first thing you see when entering a hostel is the reception or some sort of desk.
This is where you check-in and check-out of the hostel and go to for any questions.
Hostel receptions are also often booking agents for local activities and transport, so they
are a good source to go to for more information about the local area.
Some hostels may also run a job-finding service for those on a Working Holiday Visa and those
are called Working Hostels.
We’ll give you more information on that linked in the description below.
If you need an extra blanket during the winter months, change for the laundry machines, even
an extra pillow, don't be afraid to ask at reception.
Plus, most hostels offer luggage storage so you can store your luggage before or after
you have checked into the hostel.
Hostel storage is particularly handy if you are doing a multi-day hike for instance.
Another communal facility is the lounge.
Sofas, TV, games…
Backpacker hostels always have somewhere to hang out.
They will often have a lounge area with sofas, tables, board games, a book exchange and more.
They may also have outside communal areas too.
The communal lounge is where many hostels differ, with some providing the basics to
others going all out to keep backpackers entertained.
Some, but not all, hostels have computers and Internet access.
And some, but not all, hostels have either paid WiFi or free WiFi.
Although, it’s not always the best connection, so learn more about staying connected in New
Zealand in our guide to getting WiFi and Internet linked up in the description.
Some other hostels provide other communal facilities, such as Spa pool, Sauna, Free
to use bikes, Free breakfast and Game rooms.
Finally, the last communal room you’ll find in a hostel is the Laundry Room.
All hostels will have a laundry facility.
This usually includes multiple washing machines and tumble driers.
Sometimes, there will be a washing line outside to hang your wet clothes for drying.
However, if there is no washing line, then you must use a tumble drier to dry your clothes,
as hanging wet clothes in your room is generally not allowed.
The typical laundry prices for use of the washing machine is NZ$4 per wash and NZ$4
for a cycle on the tumble dryer.
Machines will either be coin operated or you will need to purchase a token from reception.
A quick tip for using the laundry in hostels is don’t overfill the machines!
Your clothes will not wash or dry properly if you stuff too many clothes in there because
hostel laundry machines are often old and not that high-tech.
Saying that, when you see a good laundry facility, use it!
Take advantage of a good washing machine when you see it.
And note that some tumble driers will take a couple of cycles to dry your clothes completely.
That’s just the way it is in some hostels with old machines.
That’s it for our beginner’s guide to hostels in New Zealand.
But as promised, here’s 10 Essential Rules of Etiquette for Staying in a Hostel!
Number 1.
Don’t have sex in the dorm.
Although it sounds like an awesome challenge, it’s awkward for everyone!
Number 2.
If you’re leaving your dorm room early the next morning, have your bags packed and clothes
ready the night before for a quick change as to not wake people up by rummaging.
3.
On the same note, be respectful to those sleeping in your dorm – no one likes a drunken mooncat
making a noise and falling into the bunk beds!
4.
Be social!
It makes it easier to share a room with people when you’re being social.
If your roommate doesn’t seem too keen though, just give them some space.
Number 5.
Keep an eye on the time when doing your laundry.
If you are not there when the machine has finished then chances are that the next person
will put your clothes somewhere random.
6.
Turn your phone on silent at night.
7.
Be tidy.
Not only will people not have to trip over your stuff, it also helps you keep track of
where your possessions are.
8.
Keep showers to a maximum of five minutes so that other don’t have to wait for too
long.
9.
As mentioned when we talked about the kitchen, clean up after yourself including washing
and drying your dishes!
This encourages more people to do the same and actually gives you space to prepare meals.
And Number 10.
Have a shower regularly and wash your clothes once a week.
No one wants to share a room with a smelly person.
Alright guys, we hope that’s answered all your questions on staying in a backpacker
hostel but if you do have any more questions, ask them in the comments below and we’ll
be stoked to answer them for you!
Plus, we’re tackling 365 days doing 365 activities in New Zealand releasing those
videos every single day!
So be sure to subscribe for more New Zealand bucket list inspiration!
Until next time, travel awesome!