As prisons go, Napier Prison Backpackers seems to be a rather comfortable accommodation -- you're given keys to the lock on your cell and the front door. As hostels go, the accommodation may leave something to be desired, but you can't beat it for novelty value.
The hostel is an actual prison built more than a century ago that was shut down in the early 1990s. Now it's back open, housing backpackers instead of prisoners. Doubles and singles are in the actual old cells, while the dorm beds are in other areas of the prison.
There have been some renovations to the place, but not extensive ones. The cell rooms still have bare stone and concrete walls and floors, and tend to be dusty. Thankfully, a portable space heater is provided to take away some of the chill and damp.
The common spaces are adequate, although the small kitchen area can get cramped at dinner time. There is a TV lounge and dining area as well. Most of the showers are in the old prisoners' shower block. Although new stalls and curtains have been installed, the water still drains through grooves in the floor and controlling the temperature can be tricky. There are a few other showers around the hostel for those people who require more privacy than the main shower block offers.
The prison is located just north of Napier's downtown, although it can be hard to find -- as it's nestled on a hilltop up a steep drive. It is within walking distance of the beach attractions and Napier nightlife, as well as the downtown Art Deco buildings the town is known for.
The hostel offers internet access, but it has just a single old computer with a slow connection and the sign-up sheet for time can fill fast.
In general, it's a nice place to stay if you're willing to overlook some of the quirks that come along with staying in an old stone prison. If you're looking for clean and tidy it would pay to look elsewhere, but there is a charm to exploring the old prison areas, including the hanging yard, and reading the newspaper clippings and stories on the prison's history.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
March 2006
Location/Contact
2 Average from 2 Ratings
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