Anchor Lodge Backpackers

The newest hostel in Coromandel, the Anchor Lodge Backpackers lodge is situated within five minutes' walk from the centre. Coromandel itself is a very laid back and small township -- ideal for those who want to get away from it all. Walking the streets can sometimes feel like being on a film set, but with all the crew gone off to lunch! The hostel itself is just off the main road, which makes it easy for local buses to drop off travelers right in front of the door and also pick them up again (this is quite usual in rural New Zealand). As there is hardly any traffic at all, the road is really no concern.

One disappointing thing about the situation of Anchor Lodge is that it is nowhere near the water's edge. The website advertises "Water's edge only a stone's throw away!" -- what they do not mention, however, is that there is a huge bank of mud overgrown with bushes and shrubs and there is no way to actually get to the water. So nice strolls on the beach are not possible without a car -- the next beach is quite a ways away.

The Backpackers lodge is functional, with a well equipped kitchen, although it can get rather hot and smelly in the kitchen in the summer, as there is no adequate ventilation. It's best to take your food out to the lovely verandah with picnic tables and hammocks.

The rooms are rather cramped -- six beds, where a generous hostel would probably only put four -- but the lovely hot spa outside makes up for it. There is also a small swimming pool -- good enough to freshen you up a bit, but don't expect to be able to do more than four strokes in any one direction! Showers and toilets are mostly clean, but no soap is offered at the wash basins though. There is internet access and a pay phone. All in all a good place to stay, but maybe not the best.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review