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Reviews of Silverfern Backpackers

2 out of 5
Silverfern Backpackers
234 Hobson Street, Auckland

Reviews

6.2
Rating 10 - Excellent. 18 out of 77 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 77 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 20 out of 77 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 10 out of 77 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 16 out of 77 reviews" "

6.0/10

Cleanliness

6.4/10

Staff & service

7.2/10

Amenities

6.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Business traveller
We booked this property because it was a handy location, unfortunately we had also booked it because it said we could have 3 separate beds and because I was booking it for 3 students that didn't really know each other it was appropriate they have their own beds. I have just been told they were only provided with a double and single bed. This has put me in a rather awkward position. They were not confident to ask for this to be changed.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020

2/10 Terrible

Silverfern

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The urinals were blpcked and it was nkt cleaned for couple of days.. the shower prrssure is too low and no hot water.. they charge 50NZD for key deposit which is by card only and no cash and additonal 4% for using the credit card for the deposit and refund u the amount. But the conversion rates and the refund makes u loose approx $5. Better stay away there are better hostel for the same price.. highly recommend hobson lodge just next door with 100 times beytee facilities and staff. The receptionist working there is a backpacker so dont expect any service. Worst hostel stayed in NZ.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good standard hostel, friendly staff. I found artwork on walls to be very interesting. Bathrooms were modern and kitchen was large with good seating area. Pool table, Tv rooms were good for entertainment. I will be certain to stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good service on arrival, nice tidy room. Bathroom was clean, kitchen set up well and plenty of fridge space. Staff helpful and short walk to airport bus.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

4/10 Poor

JF, Australia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
Don't take rooms 1 - 7 as they are extremely noisy! Bring your own drinking mug! Narrow entrance way where guests gather to smoke so you run the gauntlet to get in. Friendly helpful staff and very clean.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

6/10 Okay

tara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Meh
Probably should have been cheaper for what was provided. Room smelled like curry and windows don’t open. The fan had a cord which was about two inches too short for the power point so not sure why they keep it there. Great friendly staff though.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Delayed flight so when I got there reception was closed, so I waited until 7am for it to be open, to be told I could not go to my room because people hadn't checked out yet, I pointed out that I hadn't checked in so the bed was empty, was then told it would disturb other people, for me to go into the room I paid for! Was asked to wait until 11am!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
You get what you pay for. Waited 20 minutes at check-in before another guest went and found the front desk attendant who was not responding to the buzzer. Towels, soap, cups, and just about everything else you have to pay extra for. This is not a big deal if you are aware. Room and bathroom were not very clean, but serviceable. Good location.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Debbs, New York

Business traveller, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly guests, close to the centre and excellent value, free wifi was unlimited. Rooms were kept clean and close to airport bus stop.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Platterpus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Facilities were very good and clean. One of the only hostels in Auckland with it's own carpark a big plus. Staff were helpful at reception. My room was spacious and tidy. Other guests were good fun and we mixed well and went out on a pub crawl together. Wifi was included and unlimited, better than most of Auckland' hostels.
Stayed 1 night in May 2019

2/10 Terrible

winnie

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Time consuming for check-in and check-out as only 1 staff is working. The rooms is dirty. There's hair on pillow, rubbish in bin never clear, no toilet paper, left over water in kettle. Pillow is very thin and not comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

Ros, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good value
Short walk from the intercity bus station. Easy walk to sea front, shopping and main city area. Good cooking and laundry facilities, but locked from 10pm-7am. Many communal areas, plenty of communal seating, 2 TV areas as well as TV's in bedrooms. Alcohol allowed but not in bedrooms. Staff very friendly and helpful. Generally clean though a little worn. A good value stay for those who don't want to party.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Doris, Uk

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very close to Auckland's CBD and waterfront.
Had a happy experience here, lovely staff and hostel very clean and tidy. Room was nice and included free breakfast and wifi.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Annika, Germany

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good place to relax in.
Price very good value for Auckland, included wifi and breakfast. Bathrooms were kept clean and hostel had nice guests.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

WS

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfort
Modern hostel with nice facilities, location in uptown Auckland very close to transport hub and sky tower. Bathrooms clean and free hair dryers available. Showers hot and lounges nice. Price reasonable and has large car park available for guests.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sardine, Italy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good wifi
Wifi was free and fast, staff were efficient ,accommodation very central and good mattresses. Clean hostel also included free breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Timmy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Happy Travels
A tidy hostel in the centre of Auckland. Easy to get to from airport and has a good size car park for guests. Amenities are good and lounges and kitchen are nice and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mitch, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Rooms were of a good standard
Great rooms , lots of nice art work and photos on the walls in the hallways. Hostel was warm as outside was 2degrees, staff were most helpful and friendly. Onsite car park was safe and secure. Overall very clean hostel.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Rachel, Uk

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Facilities are good, location is central and car parking facilities in front of hostel are excellent. Wifi is a good fast standard, nice photos on walls.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

JG, Holland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bedroom was of a good standard with very comfortable mattress. Hostel has clean facilities and spacious bathrooms. Showers were hot and plentiful. Kitchen had good storage areas and plenty of cooking utensils. Location of the hostel is only a short walk to Intercity bus terminal and Sky Tower. Check in and Check out was very quick and easy and staff were always smiling.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Clint, London

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Enjoyed my stay here, staff very friendly, clean bathrooms and kitchen. Plenty of space in dorm room, great location.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Ivan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good location ,good value for money.
Hostel has nice private rooms, very clean and good facilities. Nice pictures on the walls and cool TV room and has pool table and other games to entertain oneself. Kitchen has good facilities including 2 ovens and wifi is fast and free. I will be definitely back in the near future.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

bonnie, Wellington

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good hostel
Good hostel, clean facilities. Very close to the CBD and had cheap parking which is awesome. Would definitely stay here again
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Basement room
Stayed for 2 nights. Was put into a basement room with no windows and was very hot and stuffy.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Leigh

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Started off not so good but got much better
Given that I did not know that there was a $50 key deposit that had to be paid on check in I was a little annoyed not knowing that beforehand. The check in girl was apologetic and polite. The room was ok and the bed itself was extremely comfortable. The showers and restroom areas were clean and ok but could have done with a bit more regular cleaning. The water pressure and temperature in the showers was excellent. It was a nice and comfortable hostel. The location was close to the main centre and buses. I would not use google maps to get directions there as this took you a very long uphill way to walk to get there.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

2/10 Terrible

Sheryll, New Zealand

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Sorry can't recommend this place to stay
First experience in a backpackers and last last. Booked a room with one queen bed and 1 single with a private ensuite. Didn't get it, only a room with single bunk beds and no ensuite. No other available. When we arrived there was a large group of tourists standing just outside the entrance to office drinking beer etc. Not a good look to start. Having little choice as couldn't find further accommodation and the backpackers wouldn't refund us. We decided to stay. The bunks were very "wobbly" so decided to take the the top mattress off and put on the floor to hopefully get a better sleep. There was not ladder to get to top bunk anyway. The room was very hot and no opening windows as it was on bottom floor. There was a pedestal fan but also was very unstable and ended up falling over once it was turned on. In the room there was a small odd shaped alcove with two chairs to sit on but we discovered the carpet in this area was wet and we could hear dripping from somewhere. Bathroom smelt of urine and shower tray full of pubic hair. Dirty place all round
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Locked out by reception staff
Locked out by reception staff. Poor service and nearly had to spend a night on the street
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2017

4/10 Poor

stephanie, denver

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Truly for the young
Sister got a single ensuite. Our double ensuite was a 5er of bunks with adjacent communal shower (albeit reserved for us alone). Hole in my blanket, though clean. Hard to get into suitcases on bottom bunk - noplace else to set them down. No chairs. No drinking cups! Though pricey, it's less than many in Auckland. And (long) walkable to waterfront or Auckland Museum - and there are convenient buses. Not what we seniors like, though we prefer 1-3* accommodations. Tons of college kids there, apparently enjoying it. Concierge Eva was fabulously helpful!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2017

6/10 Okay

sajin , Joseph

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Warm friendly staff
I really appreciate the welcome and hospitality of the staff, especially the receptionist-the german guy with long beard.

6/10 Okay

Rosarii, chile

Liked: Staff & service
Cheap hostel with clean bathrooms and kitchen
The 10 dorm was a little bit smelly and messy but not terrible as I had read in other posts. The kitchen and bathroom were perfectly clean.

2/10 Terrible

Jo, Wellington

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not great.
I had booked one night in a private ensuite room. When I arrived (prior to 10:30pm) the front door was locked and there was nobody at reception, I was unable to get in. One of the guests had to let me in and I stood at reception for over 10 mins waiting for someone to show up - after pressing the call button numerous times. When the receptionist arrived she was dishevelled and also quite rude to me. She told me off for checking in late (even though I was there before the close time). The room was prepaid online, and it came with complimentary Wifi. However when I got to there I was told I had to pay for the room, as well as a deposit, and that there was no WiFi. I now have to go through the process to get my money back for the prepayment. The WiFi which I paid $8 for didn't work, and there was nobody to speak to about it to get it resolved. The private bathroom had cockroaches running across the floor, the sheet didn't fully cover the filthy mattress and the mattress was broken and uncomfortable, with springs poking through. When I woke up in the morning I found cockroaches and other bugs on the bed, and a very large cockroach had gotten into my handbag. I went to check out at 8:15am and again there was nobody at reception, even after I pressed the button a few times. I was therefore unable to sort out the billing issue, nor get my deposit back. Woudln't recommend staying here ever.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Near good late night food
The staff was amazing!!! Very social and party oriented hostel which can be a good or bad thing depending on what you are looking for. Loved that the kitchen had an oven and was very comfortable. The TV movie room was great also! My only drawback was that it was very hot everywhere inside.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wouldn't recommend
Initially we booked for two nights, but couldn't even stay one because of the 'below standard' living conditions. These included the toilets downstairs being fully clogged, therefore unusable - and the showers clogged so there was a decent amount of dirty water puddled at the bottom, very unsanitary. The entire downstairs area smelt heavily of smoke, which was ironic as our room had a smoke free sign on it. The ventilation was terrible and it was extremely uncomfortable and hot. Had to leave at midnight and book a hotel. After asking for a refund the staff were less than apologetic and didn't offer an explanation for the state it was in. Very disappointed to say the least.

8/10 Good

Richard

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Satisfied Guest
Whilst tidy and presentable, there were issues with the cleanliness of the mens toilets. I would suggest some night time / early morning servicing especially Friday & Saturday. This is not the fault of the hostel and staff, it seems a lot of young men are not able to aim properly when they have been drinking. All other areas were generally what you could expect in hostels in NZ, Tidy, clean and disrespected by most backpackers.. I was overall happy with Silverfern Backpackers. Less so with some of the other guests, noisy, rude and drunk.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice place quite big, reasonable for the price

2/10 Terrible

ILSONG

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Never recommended
The worst hotel i had experienced.

8/10 Good

Javier

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
They do not have free wifi, misleading advertising

2/10 Terrible

Londonear, london

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Bed bugs galore! Avoid at all costs.
Been bitten by bed bugs on my first night (around 30-40 bites mostly on my neck and face) completely ruined my holiday. I had to go to the chemist to get antistamines and soothing gel because of the allergic reaction. Cost me $47. I've asked to speak with the manager and asked to be refunded money I had to spend on the medicines. His answer was 'I didn't bring the bed bugs in' and implied that perhaps I brought them in. WORST manager ever. Other negative aspects: - even tho Internet was advertised as free when I've booked the room, when I got there I've been told that this apply only for stays longer than a week (I had booking for 5 days) - when I purchased internet it was not working in the rooms, only in the commun area - no glasses or cups (you have to buy one $2) - kitchen closed after 10am
After first night

4/10 Poor

Andy, Horowhenua

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good location to the CBD. Bathroom, especially the shower needed a good clean. Managed for the night we were there but probably wouldn't stay again.

8/10 Good

Dave, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good hostel in the heart of Auckland.
The people I met were all very friendly. The rooms and ammenities were cleaned daily. Overall it was a good place to stay

2/10 Terrible

conar, England

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
lazy and rude staff , choose any other hostel
Payed for a room but as the reception closed at 10:30 and I arrived 10:34 the lady that works in reception went to her room in the hostel so a guy went spoke to her to tell her iv arrived for the last bed available she she's tell me to sleep on the sofa she cant be bothered to check me in , then I spoke to a guy that knows her he said that she's sleeping in the bed I payed for but he will get her up , he didn't and I ended up sleeping on a disgusting sofa then spoke to the manager in the morning and he was rude and wouldn't give my money back ! I'd advice people to not give there money to this hostel there's plenty more cleaner and cheaper around

2/10 Terrible

John Smith , Auckland

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Worst hostel in Auckland
The room are way too dirty. Like there were at least 15 used tissues under my bed, some empty plastic bottles everywhere on the floor, some pack of doritos and other snacks... Just 2 plugs in a 12 bed dorm...

2/10 Terrible

Sean

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Horrendous. I checked out within being there 40 minutes.