Dusky Lodge & Backpackers

Not the best experience here. Booked the hostel for two nights and got told we had to move rooms late morning while out touring around. We rushed back to find that the staff had moved all our stuff against our permission. When we addressed the issue, a staff member was very rude and said “she couldn’t go back in time and change anything” and didn’t apologize. She explained our new room wouldn’t be ready for another hour so we had to wait. The facilities were dirty. Not too impressed :(

The en-suite in our 8 bed room absolutely stunk of damp, so much I only used the communal ones upstairs. The main reason we booked this was the pool, which was closed, would’ve been nice to know in advance. The oven is really sensitive to burning food and also has a $150 fee for setting off the alarm, seemed like a bit of a money making scheme.

A bit grim but it did the job

A small hostel that is way too expensive for what it has to offer. The bathrooms weren't very clean and some were out of order. You could not lock the dorms when you left the room and there were no lockers for your valuables. There was just one place in the room where you could charge your electronic devices and there are no lights next to the beds. The kitchens were nice and big. The advertised pool wasn't even open. All in all an ok place to spend a night. But too expensive for what it is.

Check in is only 2-5 PM. They moved us from a 4 to 6 bed dorm without notice because of a dorm door not locking. On duty manager was drunk from 5 PM onwards. Staff did nothing to control the rowdy, rude, drunk guests, instead partied with them. Hair covered ‘clean’ sheets. Feces all over shared bathroom. Items stolen from multiple guests. Back door and front fire exit door left unlocked until at least 2 AM. Kitchen items out of order. Not a safe or welcoming place for young female travellers...

Security non existent: The back door (off rear car park) was open and also the door at the top of the stairs. There was no access to a freezer, evidently the freezer is in the ‘open to 10pm kitchen’, was closed at 9pm.. Be great if the staff lit the fire on a cold day like it was, but no staff there after 5. No cloth available to wipe counters in kitchen, very few tea towels. No bedside light. Unnecessary tv up on high stand, rather have a bedside light! horrible glaring light in bedr...

Dirty kitchen and common areas. Broken stove tops that don’t even have proper long handle lighters. You have to use a cigarette lighter someone left out. Back area of the hostel is open all the time with no locks. No lockers or secure places for belongings.

Was put in the Penguin room downstairs which smelt strongly of damp as soon as you walked in and was very cold. There was an electric heater in the room but it was broken and because reception shut at 5, there wasn’t anyone to speak to about it. Spacious hostel and communal areas were nice.

Dusky Lodge was a mixed bag. Really nice communal areas and beautiful terrace with BBQs. Pool area was also great. Kitchens were nice enough but could have been cleaner. Biggest complaint was the damp smell in our room - we had an en suite but no windows. Room was very spacious and was great to have a sink in the room but no privacy curtains. Also one of the bunk beds was super unstable and wobbly which felt really unsafe. Nice staff.

From not too may options this is a okay one. The atmosphere is different compared to many other hostels since there’s also bunch of families and different travel groups staying. The dorms are quite outdated, beds really close to each other and no privacy at all. They also don’t have lockers, smaller lamps or sockets by the beds. The kitchen is big enough (there’s two!), the swimming pool area is really nice and location close to everything you need!

Pretty decent place to stay, staff kept communal areas tidy but other guests didn’t unfortunately. Beds were comfy and rooms spacious and clean.

Great place!!!

Room was quite basic (no curtains/plugs/individual lights) and felt like I might fall off top bunk as no side rail. Not a social atmosphere but facilities clean and pool looked nice. Not great location for town but close to whale watching. Staff were friendly

Super schöner Außenbereich und insgesamt tolles Hostel!

Great to meet some people! Loved Kaikoura very much!!

Nice Hostel with basic beds but spacious rooms. Whirlpool is a big plus

Was put in the Penguin room downstairs which smelt strongly of damp as soon as you walked in and was very cold. There was an electric heater in the room but it was broken and because reception shut at 5, there wasn’t anyone to speak to about it. Spacious hostel and communal areas were nice.

Väldigt nöjd med vistelsen

Dusky Lodge was a mixed bag. Really nice communal areas and beautiful terrace with BBQs. Pool area was also great. Kitchens were nice enough but could have been cleaner. Biggest complaint was the damp smell in our room - we had an en suite but no windows. Room was very spacious and was great to have a sink in the room but no privacy curtains. Also one of the bunk beds was super unstable and wobbly which felt really unsafe. Nice staff.

Enjoyed the hot tub and Sauna. Kitchen and social area are a good size.

From not too may options this is a okay one. The atmosphere is different compared to many other hostels since there’s also bunch of families and different travel groups staying. The dorms are quite outdated, beds really close to each other and no privacy at all. They also don’t have lockers, smaller lamps or sockets by the beds. The kitchen is big enough (there’s two!), the swimming pool area is really nice and location close to everything you need!

Gemütlich, sauber, man kann sich wohlfühlen. Etwas vom Zentrum entfernt aber noch im Rahmen. Verbesserungsvorschlag: Licht an den Betten, persönliche Steckdosen, eine Möglichkeit kleine Wertsachen zu verschließen. Sonst alles bestens. Ich würde hier wieder übernachten.

We really liked the whirlpool! Not very social and a bit far from town!

Leider viel zu laut die Zimmer direkt an der viel befahrenen Straße. Sonst alles sauber und ordentlich.

The best hostel with good amenities

Gute Unterkunft, die nicht ausschließlich ein Hostel ist und dadurch ganz verschiedene Leute beherbergt. Der Außenbereich ist super! Pool, Sauna, kleines Café und Whirlpool

This hostel is in a great location and has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. I especially loved using the sauna! The wood-fired pizza made on-site at the poolside cafe was very yummy! I'd stay here again!

Fantastic sauna and hot tub!

Nice place to stay for a couple of nights.

great staff, great pool, open to work things out with you, amazing home atmosphere