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Reviews of Surat Bay Lodge & Backpackers Hostel

3 out of 5
Surat Bay Lodge & Backpackers Hostel
19 Surat Bay Road, New Haven, South Otago

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 43 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 43 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 43 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 43 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 43 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Paul

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Response from Ester on 7 Feb 2024
Thank you so much for your review Paul. Hope you hove a lovely stay at the lodge. Take care and enjoy the rest of your holiday.

10/10 Excellent

Marieka

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely lovely hosts, clean and right on the beach. Loved it !
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from Ester on 7 Feb 2024
Thank you so much for your review Marieka. Lovely guests.

10/10 Excellent

meir

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Response from Ester on 5 Feb 2024
Hi Meir,Thank you so much for your review, very much appreciated. Hope you enjoy watching the sealions on beach and on water playing. Enjoy your holiday, have a great time.

10/10 Excellent

Xiangrong

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Response from Esther on 4 Feb 2023
Thank you so much for your review, very much appreciated. Have a great holiday.

10/10 Excellent

Maria

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022
Response from Esther on 1 Jan 2023
Hi Maria, Thank you so much for your reviews and thank you for choosing Surat Bay Lodge as your accommodation in the Catlins. Thank you also for the venison steak, very much appreciated. It's great to see you again. Have a great New Year 2023.

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

ross

Liked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice comfortable bed,room had amazing view of beach .lodge was very clean & tidy . Host very friendly .
View from room
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022
Response from Esther & Jack on 14 Jan 2022
Thank you very much for your feedback. Very much appreciated. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

10/10 Excellent

Russell

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great place to stay
Great site and lovely charming people, a great place to stay.
Inside our room
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
Response from Esther & Jack on 31 Dec 2021
Thank you very much Russell for your feedback. Very much appreciated and grateful. Happy Newy Year to you both and your family.

10/10 Excellent

Pedro

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice low-key beachfront place, good value
We had a pleasant three-day stay in November, with only about half the rooms occupied. The place is right on the water, with some wonderful outdoor seating to watch the tide come in and out. Day one a juvenile sea lion snoozed 30 meters from the picnic table! The place is a little worn, but comfortable and completely fair for the price. Water pressure good, wifi fine, communal kitchen has most things but a little small if the place is busy. (there are two stoves and two sinks though) Owners were wonderful, and very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. We saw a yellow eyed penguin thanks to their tip! There is a nice beach walk right off the property. We saw several sea lions every time we walked to the next cliff, about 40 minutes away. (Just past the Triplets) Town is a short drive, and has a great Four Square.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021
Response from Esther on 17 Nov 2021
Thank you very much for your feedback. Very much appreciated.

10/10 Excellent

Zara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Friendly and homely hospitality right on the beach
We enjoyed another lovely stay at Surat Bay Lodge with Esther & Jack, who warmly welcomed us and our children back. Our boys loved helping to feed the chickens again, trying their hands at fishing and eating some of what Dad had caught fresh off the on-site BBQ. And I got to see a big sea lion bull waddle all the way up the beach on one of my walks. Feels like a return to our own beach bach.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Nice location on beach front and really friendly host. The property is an older building and shared facilities were OK.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2021
Response from Esther on 2 Mar 2021
Thank you very much for choosing Surat Bay Lodge as yoour accommodation in the Catins. Your feedback is very much appreciated. Have a wonderful day.

8/10 Good

Zara

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Beach-side hospitality
We had a lovely stay at Surat Lodge with our boys. The owners, Esther & Jack, were very welcoming and we loved sampling the delicious eggs from their very happy on-site chooks! The location literally could not have been closer to the beach and the view from our room was great. You could actually see sea lions from the window at times! The kitchen was well resourced and clean with a big dining table to eat at and there were free hot drinks, plus a caravan on-site for real coffee. The boys enjoyed being able to chill out at the end of the day and watch DVDs from reception in the comfortable shared lounge. We had mixed weather during our stay, but found plenty to keep us occupied and loved seeing the changing light and tides from the Lodge.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021
Response from Esther on 28 Jan 2021
Thank you very much Zara and family for the feedback. Thank you for a beautiful drawing boys... great memory.

10/10 Excellent

Antemo, Christchurch

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly, clean, stunning location. Amazing value for money
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great location, meh accommodation
The location is absolutely gorgeous with sea lions almost literally in your backyard. However, the walls were super thin with being RIGHT outside the kitchen and having neighbors who weren’t exactly sleeping. Pricey For what it was but they were out of dorm beds in the entire catlins for the night I booked
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020
Response from Surat Bay Lodge on 16 Mar 2020
Thank you for choosing Surat Bay Lodge for your accommodation in the Catlins. We appreciate very much for your feedback. Have a wonderful holiday in New Zealand

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay, sealions closeby
Nice place and very nice location. The french girl at the reception was so helpful. <3
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Response from Surat Bay Lodge by the sea on 5 Mar 2020
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for your feedback, very much appreciated. Thank you for choosing Surat Bay Lodge for your accommodation in the Catlins. Enjoy the beautiful weather and have a wonderful holiday in New Zealand.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Response from Esther on 12 Feb 2020
Thank you very much for your feedback. Have a wonderful and enjoyable holiday in New Zealand

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020
Response from Esther & Jack on 26 Jan 2020
Thank you very much for your feedback. Thank you for choosing Surat Bay Lodge for your accommodation in the Catlins. Have a wonderful holiday in New Zealand.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from Jack & Esther on 13 Dec 2019
Thank you very much for the review. Have a wonderful day.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location so close to the beach. In summer it must be fantastic. Due to my stay in winter it was a little bit cold. I took a second blanket from one of the beds in my dorm.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brad

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

sandrine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A little paradise difficult to find
At the end of nowhere but an incredible place, so friendly and nice. Possibility to see the sea lions just by walking along the beach. Very calm and surrounded by nature.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

raychell

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Surat Bay Backpackers :)
Such a lovely, tidy and clean backpackers! And what an amazing view & sunset! The gentleman who checked us in was lovely. Very friendly and welcoming! Will be back!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The location is fabulous...right on a beautiful beach where there are often sea lions. This lodge was adequate. The showers were a bit grotty and there were no mirrors in the bathrooms. No sharp knives in the kitchen. No shoes allowed in the lodge and there's some disgusting slippers to borrow. The slippers should be tossed out. Small complaints- but quite a few of them.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location. Wonderful staff! Could see sea lions from my window!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
Very dated, old buildings and I don't like having to remove my shoes if they do not supply slippers of some sort.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Overpriced for what it is. Cold, even in summer. The lounge areas are nice. I was incredulous that while there were two bathrooms, they kept one locked until there were 8 guests in the lodge. Bathroom was a shower, sink and toilet in a room, so only one guest can use at a time. Also very dated. Stay at a motel in Owaka.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best view from the room i picked. Affordable too.
Nice lodging, closed to the beach and cozy. Good to interact with other guest aswell.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018
Response from Ester Johnson on 30 Aug 2018
Thank you very much for your feedback We are pleased and happy that you enjoy your stay at the lodge. Enjoy your holiday in the Catlins New Zealand.

10/10 Excellent

david

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A little gem near the sea
Very welcoming place. Hosts were friendly and went out of their way to make sure the stay would be great. Lovely location, hot shower, very comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018
Response from Jack & Ester on 20 Mar 2018
thankyou very much for the review, we are happy you enjoyed your stay.

8/10 Good

Clare

Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Room comfort
great location but beds need some attention
Fantastic location and friendly staff. Kitchen and communal area was good. Only downsides were waiting for the bathrooms to be free and the really uncomfortable soft bed. I was told that the mattresses were to be replaced.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2018

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Secluded backpackers
Surat Bay Lodge is an enjoyable place to stay as a backpacker, with a nice kitchen and living area to hang out in. The bay itself is steps away, and extremely quiet. Enjoyed my stay, but a car is a must.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017

8/10 Good

Katja

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Schöne Lage am Wasser mit der Möglichkeit Seelöwen zu sehen, gutes Zimmer, sehr sauber, umfangreiche Küche Ausstattung. Sehr nette und hilfsbereite Gastgeberin. Vielen Dank, wir haben unseren Aufenthalt sehr genossen!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

keiichiro

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
海沿いのロッジ
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023
Response from Esther on 21 Mar 2023
Thank you so much for your review. Hope you enjoy your stay with us a see the sealions on the beach. Have a great holiday in New Zealand.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Shared Bathroom...
Achtung: Es war bei unserer Buchung nicht klar erkennbar, dass das die Zimmer kein eigenes Badezimmer hat. Es gibt nur zwei gemeinsame Badezimmer, die über die Küche erreichbar sind, für alle Gäste.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
Response from Esther on 9 Feb 2023
Thank you so much for choosing Surat Bay Lodge for your accommodation in the Catlins. Thank you for your review, very much appreciated. It is very clearly stated in your confirmation booking you share the facilities with other guests.You could have booked the self contained unit which you have your own private bathroom and kitchen which you do not shared with other guests. We can only accommodate maximum of 12 people. You booked the room which is not a self contained unit.

8/10 Good

Anna-Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020
Response from Jack & Esther on 26 Jan 2020
Thank you very much for your feedback. Very much appreciated. Thank you for choosing Surat Bay Lodge for your accommodation in the Catlins. Have a wonderful holiday in NZ

10/10 Excellent

Muriel

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2019
Response from Jack & Esther on 13 Dec 2019
Thank you very much for your review Muriel. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Sijainti rannan läheisyydessä. Tilavat huoneet ja yhteiset tilat. Merileijonia viereisellä rannalla. Mahtava paikka, suosittelen!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019

8/10 Good

Bo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Gammelt men hyggeligt
Dejligt område. Ældre hytte med ikke for meget plads når der er fuldt belagt. Ellers hyggeligt og meget hjælpsomt personale. Fantastisk udsigt fra de små værelser.

8/10 Good

carina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2018