Bed bug reports for Atlantis Backpackers — HostelPunk
Atlantis Backpackers

Picton · New Zealand

Atlantis Backpackers

Punk Score
78% NOT BAD
High confidence 748 reviews
It's a solid hostel, you're almost guaranteed to talk to people and have a good time
Best in Picton
Bed bug reports Showing 19 reports · no recent reports
  1. Confirmed Hostelworld

    no bikes to rent as advertised, except some broken ones which couldn't be used. also no kayak to hire as advertised. fun place though and no bed bugs

  2. Confirmed Google Maps

    Never stayed here. Walked through the front door and turned around straight away. What a dump. Upon reading the other reviews regarding bedbugs, smell and general dishevelment of the place. I think I made a good choice. Much cleaner places in town here. You’d even be safer if you threw a mattress on the ground at the local tip and slept there

  3. Confirmed Google Maps

    Stayed overnight after coming off the ferry, I had read reviews about the place talking about bedbugs so I was a little worried, I looked about quite thoroughly but saw no sign of any. I had a good nights sleep and woke very refreshed with no bites. Had a good breakfast and continued my journey.

  4. Confirmed Google Maps

    Mauled by BEDBUGS when I stayed here on March 11-13, which negates any other charm or pleasantness the hostel offered. Wish I had researched the reviews more before deciding to stay there.

  5. Possible Hostelworld

    If you want to sleep, this is not the place to stay. There were people up all night in the common areas playing drinking games and the walls are paper thin. We also woke up with bug bites! Our start here was so bad we almost went to sleep in the car instead.

  6. Possible Hostelworld

    Ansich super schönes Hostel aber habe Bettwanzen bekommen

  7. Confirmed Google Maps

    BEWARE THE BED BUGS!!! We stayed here 1 night. I could feel them biting during the night and assumed they were sandflies. But discovered all the bites the next day and a few Bed Bugs on our luggage when we got home. When we called the owner seemed surprised, but other reviews over the past several months have also commented about Bed Bugs. It's a shame because the owner was lovely and the hostel has a quirky vibe.

  8. Confirmed Google Maps

    Heads up people, there are indeed bed bugs here and if you’re backpacking/thru hiking you definitely should not stay here as getting rid of them is an absolute pain in the hole. Shame, because I really did enjoy this place as it has a good bit of character. Until the bed bugs get sorted, DO NOT STAY HERE.

  9. Confirmed Google Maps

    Worst night for me in New Zealand! I had bed bugs and it was a nightmare. When I told the hostel in the morning they say they would try to do their best and it didn’t seem like they even cared. Didn’t get any money back as well. Don’t go there!!!

  10. Confirmed Hostelworld

    Bed bugs everywhere, dirty bed sheets, smelly toilets, this place need to be inspected.

  11. Confirmed Hostelworld

    Our beds stink of urine, we got bitten by bed bugs. There were some permanent residents who gave the hostel and uncomfortable vibe. It was very dirty and outdated. From outside the building is practically falling apart. Next to my bed there was debris from building works and my curtain was disgusting with holes in it. There was no key to get into the room so not secure at all.

  12. Confirmed Google Maps

    This place needs inspecting. I have traveled NZ as a single female and never felt as uncomfortable as I have here, even with staying in a private room. (Down the hall off the lounge area) The long term residents are posting good reviews to boost this place. It's filthy. There is bed bugs, and I was made to feel very unsafe by a male resident.

  13. Confirmed Google Maps

    I'm sad to say I was bitten by bedbugs in this hostel. Staff was so friendly, I didn't mind the old equipment, but me and my daughter were bitten by bedbugs EVERYWHERE, which we discovered later the day we departed. My partner who slept on the other bed is fine. This is really terrible! We are staying at our friends house and now I'm worried if we brought them with us 😢 I should've checked the reviews on Google before we booked, looks like they have bedbug problem. We stayed in the room near kitchen, next to the bathroom under name Kolářová from 2nd to 3rd December. Please deal with it!

  14. Confirmed Google Maps

    BEDBUDS! The most terrible experience and worst place to stay in NZ! Got bitten by BEDBUGS in my both hand,legs and face,up to hundreds of wound!! Painful,itchy and scar all over my body after recover few weeks.Never ever go here.....

  15. Confirmed Google Maps

    The only thing going for this place was its proximity to the ferry. It was filthy. The sheets on my bed were stained in MULTIPLE places, dust and cat hair everywhere. The linen itself looked like it had been pulled from an op shop dollar bin and so did all the furniture. Lamps didn't work, the whole place smelled, the pillows were yellow and I'm pretty sure there were bed bugs as I woke up (after sleeping ON TOP of the bed, not in it) with bites. I have no problem with eclectic decor etc but the cleanliness was a huge turn off for me. I won't be coming back. *Edited in lieu of reply* We booked under my partners name and I'm more han happy to share the photos I have to backup my review if you are insinuating this is a false review.

  16. Confirmed Google Maps

    Las habitaciones están separadas por cortinas básicamente por ende se escucha absolutamente todo de todos. Pase solo una noche y fue terrible. Primero una persona estuvo hasta las 4 AM con su celular sin auriculares y no había nadie del lugar para poner orden. Después paso lo peor, aparecieron 3 BED BUGS en mi cama y otra en la de mi amiga. Salimos corriendo de ahí y terminamos durmiendo en el auto. Nos reembolsaron pero la mala experiencia ya la tuvimos, creo que deberían haber ofrecido más ayuda (lavado de ropa por ejemplo). La bienvenida fue cálida.

  17. Confirmed Google Maps

    bed bugs!!!!!! i went to stay here on the 5th of June and walked into the room, i was about to get in the bed and i could actually see them crawling all over the pillow. didn't stay here had to leave, but the lady was really nice.

  18. Confirmed Google Maps

    BED BUGS. $64 FOR 2 PEOPLE, 1 ROOM, 1 NIGHT. Great responding late at night(1130pm) Good info on history of building. Offered free morning breakfast. Easy to find. Weird layout. Looks like it could be a second hand furniture warehouse. Coin operated pool table. Price too high for what we got.

  19. Confirmed Google Maps

    This establishment is a dictatorship run by a cat called Chairman Meow. The ginger feline is one of two species who are happy in this establishment, the other being fleas. Or bed bugs. Or some sort of crawly thing that lives in the mattresses Chairman meow ordered from the local rubbish tip because he likes what he describes as a homey feel and the smell of armpit. Technically, he doesn't have arms though so you can see that the megalomaniac delusion is already taking hold. Such is his desire to keep everyone from sharing information about his demise he's also limited the WiFi which only works infrequently via voucher. Nonetheless the uprising will come. Probably in the shape of a health inspection and a rehoming for this cruel cruel aristocat.

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Vibe Analysis

Atlantis Backpackers is an old, art-stuffed Picton base a short walk from the ferry, bus stop, town, beach, and park. It leans hard into Greek mythology and underwater weirdness, with murals, bright colors, books, games, musical instruments, odd objects, cats, cockatoos, and a lived-in house feel rather than a polished hostel finish. The nightly homemade dessert is the detail that gives the place its pulse. It turns the kitchen and common areas into an easy social reset at 7pm, alongside a simple breakfast of toast, spreads, coffee, tea, milk, and sometimes extras. The hostel works best for budget backpackers who like character, conversation, and a bit of beautiful chaos. Staff are often warm and hands-on, late ferry arrivals may be accommodated, showers can be available even without sleeping there, and the kitchen is generally useful, with hobs, ovens, fridge and freezer space, utensils, spices, and leftover containers. This is not the clean, quiet, modern option in town. Rooms can be hot, thin-walled, doorless, noisy, cramped, smelly, or tired, and bedding comfort varies a lot. The vibe can feel homely and safe to one person and uncomfortable to another, so it suits flexible travelers more than anyone needing privacy, silence, strong security, or hotel-grade polish.

Signals to check

  • Ask directly about current bedbug treatment before booking, especially if you are sensitive to pest risk. 3 mentions Last mentioned Apr 17, 2026
  • Noise travels easily through thin walls, corridors, common areas, and rooms near the kitchen. 3 mentions Last mentioned Feb 26, 2024
  • Security can feel loose: room locks, lockers, cameras, and private-room handling have not always been reliable. 3 mentions Last mentioned Apr 17, 2026
  • Facilities are old and inconsistent; bathrooms, mattresses, bedding, ventilation, Wi-Fi, and room temperature can be rough. 3 mentions Last mentioned Apr 16, 2026
  • Cats and cockatoos are part of the property, so allergies or animal-welfare concerns may matter here. 3 mentions Last mentioned Apr 17, 2026
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Tags

Facilities

🍳 COOKER 👕 Laundry 🅿️ Free Parking 🅿️ Parking 🌅 Outdoor Terrace 🍳 Free Breakfast
Other facilities (25)
Free WiFi Free Internet Access Bicycle Parking Adaptors Jobs Board Luggage Storage Tours/Travel Desk Card Phones Reception (Limited Hours) Internet Access Book Exchange DVD's Board Games Pool Table Linen Included Air Conditioning Towels Included Hair Dryers Ceiling Fan Towels For Hire Late Check-out Security Lockers Common Room Hot Showers Tea & Coffee Making Facilities