Whangarei · New Zealand
The Cell Block
Bed bug reports
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Confirmed Google Maps
Poorly run. Room smelt like sewage and definitely no locks or keys for room. Have been treated like a second class citizen after my car broke down and I needed accomdation until fixed. Owner placed me in illegal boarding house he runs next to cell block and I'm now covered in bites from bed bugs in an unhygenic room. Very very disappointed.
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Vibe Analysis
The Cell Block is a real former jail in central Whangarei, with old cell doors, prison details, and a colourful setup that gives the place more personality than a standard bunk stop. The rooftop garden is the standout: a proper place to sit, eat, lounge, and let the day decompress above town. Inside, the hostel leans laid-back and homey rather than polished. There are several hangout zones, including a living room, club room, dining area, games, instruments, couches, and a shared kitchen that can pull people together for cooking and talking. Friday, one of the hosts, seems to shape a lot of the warmth here, with a friendly, social style and even occasional bread baking. Expect character, cats, and a bit of chaos physics. The beds and bathrooms can be clean and comfortable, and the location works well for the bus stop, shops, town basin, CBD, and walks toward the falls. At the same time, this is not a silent, slick, tightly managed hostel: sound travels, reception can be limited, and the small kitchen or bathroom setup may feel stretched when the place is busy.
Signals to check
- Cats live on the property, so this may be a bad fit for allergies.
- Noise can carry through rooms, doors, halls, plumbing, and common areas.
- Wi-Fi may be weak enough to make remote work or study frustrating.
- Reception and message replies can be limited, with some self-check-in style moments.
- Cleanliness and upkeep seem mixed, with occasional issues around dorm condition, kitchen mess, plumbing, smells, and long-term-resident vibe.