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Reviews of Howard's Lodge - Hostel

2 out of 5
Howard's Lodge - Hostel
43 Carroll St, National Park Village

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 44 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 25 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 13 out of 116 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 9 out of 116 reviews" "

8.0/10

Cleanliness

7.2/10

Staff & service

6.6/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Simon

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed for 2 nights while doing Tongariro Crossing. Great location for the whole park. Shuttle bus from right outside. Good clean kitchen facilities. Thanks.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

4/10 Poor

Eduardo

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had the worst experience at this place. The room for starters had a terrible Wi-Fi quality as well as the TV with a poor digital signal. The kitchen was a nightmare! Very tiny, everything very old especially the fidges with insufficient space for everyone. The manager (or whatever he is) while appearing friendly and helpful, he actually tried to impose rules and intimidate guests. I paid a lot of money to spend two horrible nights in this horrible place that should never exist. Definitely don't reccomend it.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
Booked this place as I assumed it would be social / backpacker vibe given its listing as a hostel and the large common areas but this was not the case - barely saw another person. The owner was quite rude when I arrived, didn’t look up from his computer and then when he did kind of just stared at me and pointed at the room key on the desk to take. Didn’t speak until I asked for food recommendations. The room was small and dated, lumpy bed and pillows. I saw a few stains on the bed sheet too. Walls are wafer thin and so you can hear conversations, phone alarms etc. The building I was in (opposite main building) felt more basic than the others and this was evident in the kitchen which was significantly less nice than the main kitchen in the reception building. Big lounge though with pool / snooker table and TV. Showers and toilets were fine. Knowing this is not a social place I would spend my money on somewhere nicer in the park (of which there are plenty).
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gaurav

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very affordable and nice
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

6/10 Okay

Shaun

Travelled with family
Typical ski lodge,it did the job.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

2/10 Terrible

Rebecca

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Keren

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Comfortable, warm rooms, with a communal drying room, and a good range of kitchen equipment. We also enjoyed making use of the pool table, and the DVD collection.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
National Park Accom.
Hostel type stay. With tidy room and shared, clean kitchen, even tho it felt like a tight squeeze at peak cooking times. It was a busy kitchen but kept clean by guests it was quiet social. Didnt use tv room but looked tidy and comfortable. I would stay again. It was warm considering the cool drop in temp during the evening in that area. Parking was a bit tight. Could of had more soap, or shower wash supplied for bathroom. Bedding was comfortable. And room was tidy and clean when we arrived.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Julia

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I had a great stay. Everything was clean, the bed was comfy and the staff were helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

4/10 Poor

Keith

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The music and the cats were a nice touch.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Vashti

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a lovely, relaxed place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children
Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
leaking property.Room is too old and the window is leaking !It cannot be a rental property at all.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean and comfortable
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from Diana on 4 May 2021
Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was warm Would like a better/more obvious map to find room on late arrival
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021
Response from Diana on 22 Mar 2021
Thanks for your review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good price, the rooms were clean and tidy, as were the kitchen and lounge.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2021
Response from Diana on 22 Mar 2021
Thanks for your review

8/10 Good

Stefan Sachio

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Near national park
Nice staff. Kitchen is big and has a good selection.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, clean, tidy accommodation. Spa pool is a bonus after the hike!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice stay
The place is very clean and the staff friendly. Nice kitchen area but close to food if you want to eat out
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
My stay
The staff here are super friendly and helpful. Bookings for the alpine crossing can be arranged from the desk with the staff. I found the facilities to be good, liked that the dorm rooms were limited to 3 beds
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020
Response from Diana on 31 Jan 2020
Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Amenities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from Diana on 28 Aug 2019
Thanks for taking the time to leave us a review

6/10 Okay

Val

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The drying room didnt work at all and it was only half full
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Good for backpackers..close to get to ruapehu..quite
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Tim, Auckland

Travelled with family and small children, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great spot for a cheap and cheerful night in National Park - very reasonably priced, clean and warm.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

2/10 Terrible

Jamie

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Property was fine, room was different as to what was advertised. Talked to person on the desk about it and they were incredibly rude about discussing the issue. Very disappointed that not only did we not get the room and beds advertised but also that we experienced such terrible customer service. Would not use again.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great place to stay. Clean and tidy.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
place was fantastic staff were great ... was very clean
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
A very basic room unfortunately I think we got the worst one In terms of position. Ground floor next to car park and reception.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kez

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Location good, staff excellent, room clean, kitchen facilities good.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location, staff was friendly and helpful. We enjoyed are stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

Brett

Liked: Staff & service
Price was right.
Typical backpackers accomodation. The room was basic and clean. Would stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfy bed & clean room and bathroom. Would stay again!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Les, auckland

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We had a warm and comfortable room. There was a well equipped kitchen.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Howard's Lodge
Great value for money. Nice clean comfortable rooms and I really appreciated having a TV in the room. Bathroom was clean, good water pressure and lots of hot water. The communal kitchen is large and clean with all the equipment you need.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Fine for a hostel
Keeping in mind that it is a hostel... it is what it is. They were friendly, the rooms are basic, heating in the rooms, the showers are fine.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Great stopover for skiing.
Room was small but adequate for a good night's sleep. Right opposite the toilets which were kept clean. Bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper. Kitchen facilities was good in one kitchen and the other kitchen had a broken microwave. Pleasant check in experience. More knowledge about the shuttles when we rang would have been helpful, but the check in lady (another lady) told us everything we needed to know once we got there. Great stopover for a ski trip as the shuttle was only a short 10 min walk away :)
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
5 min walk to Whakapapa shuttle location and walking distance to 3 restaurant options. Room is basic and warm. Bed wasn't great - to be expected for a hostel. Shower was lovely and hot.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Patrick

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

8/10 Good

Rebecca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jordan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great service
A nice lodge to stay. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. Very nice
Response from HML on 24 May 2018
Thank you for taking the time to place your review. We really appreciate the feedback. Safe travels. The team from Howards Mountain Lodge.

8/10 Good

Sam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great location for doing the Tongariro crossing
Room was basic with shared bathroom, felt the bathrooms were very clean but didn't have full doors so not very private. Seemed that you could only have the heating on high or deal with loud hammering from the radiators, so had to leave them on and open the windows, wouldn't have been good in summer. Generally though it was fine, good facilities in the kitchen and beautiful surrounding area, good for one or 2 days, wouldn't want to stay longer.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great staff.
Very helpful staff. Room was clean but basic. Showers nice and hot. Internet service was very spotty. Also,the ceilings and walls very thin. I could hear every step of the person in the room above me. And of course those beside me. I would make sure to get a room on second floor if you want more quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Good enough
Staying for couple of days to do an event. Overall good enough for the price. Basic amenities.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Shabby rooms, smelling of I don’t know. Too expensive for what you get. Was the last room near the track. That’s why they live. Somewhere else no one would book. My English is not good enough for more words for this place. Try to find something else or shut your eyes and nose.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
100mb doesn't go far
Not bad for the price. (I'm not much for the backpacker style though) "Free wifi" is only 100mb for the room so don't plan on surfing the web. We were planning our trip as we went and we're unable to find anything ahead of time due to this. We thought we were smart and went to a bar to eat thinking they would have wifi and ya no they charged for it! Apparently it's expencive to have wifi in this town. So just be aware before you go!

8/10 Good

Qiquan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
a quite stay at National park villege
a good and very nice place. Got there in a very heavy rain day, thus very quite place.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Backpackers dream
Not for family stays, ideal for backpackers, bathrooms were spotless, unisexed, only 3 showers and 3 toilets, maybe can build some more

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Basic amenities not provided
When running a hostel or hotel, I expect only 3 basic things... Hot shower, clean bed and heat in my room. However this place couldn't even do that correctly, the room was about 50 degrees, heater barely had any heat. When we asked other guests they complained about the same thing. When we went to ask the hotel front desk, he had to make a comment of how much higher do you want the heat. Also had to make the comment of what you want for the price I'm paying. Overall a pretty bad experience here and one of the worst places I've ever stayed. Many other options in the area, avoid here at all costs especially during the winter and early spring times.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Cheap hostel near the ski fields
Found the guy working there was rude and unhelpful. Wouldn't recommend place based on his attitude.