Hostelz.com Hostels Reviews
EnglishFrançaisEspañolItalianoDeutsch
Find hostels in:

Worldwide Backpackers

Wellington

10 of 17
Address
291 The Terrace, Wellington North Island, New Zealand   Map
Price
Location/Contact
Details
Worldwide Backpackers Online Booking
Arrival Date:   Nights:  People: 
Their Description

Features

  • Free Breakfast
  • Kitchen
  • Lounge / Common space
  • BBQ
  • TV
  • Movie Library/Rental
  • Book Collection/Exchange
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Travel information provided
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
  • Phones (public or in room)
 
The Hostelz.com Review
Worldwide Backpacker sits on Terrace Street, just 5 minutes up the hill from the main center of Wellington. It's close enough to be near the action, but far enough to avoid the noise of Cuba Street. It is a 15 minute walk to the train station.

Although it could be considered a medium sized hostel, it never felt crowded or too busy. The dorm rooms are clean and cozy, albeit a bit cramped at times. Outside there are several chairs and tables for hanging out. Inside, there is a nice kitchen area with a large table for eating. There is also a TV lounge with movies playing each night ($1 payment by the honesty system). There are also washers and dryers available.

A big bonus to this backpacker is the free internet, for which there are two computers available until 9 each night, and one in the kitchen area available 24 hours a day. Also each night they serve wine (the box variety) and breakfast is available each morning. All in all, this is a comfortable and friendly backpacker. Recommended.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
December 2004


Ratings & Comments
2.6
9 Ratings

This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites we don't censor out the negative comments.
We can't validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Maria, New Zealand
September 2009
Give it a big miss!
Spent two nights at this hostel which had been described as boutique in an advertisement. This place is not boutique. It is bottom of the range accommodation. Showers and toilets unclean, noisy at night due to the partying on front veranda and other guests slamming doors (bed shakes with the reverberations!), have to push your way through the partying to get to door, rooms small, thin and washed out sheets and duvet cover, rooms so small you could not swing a cat. However, if you want free internet, breakfast, and are not fussed about hygiene this may be the place for you. TV room couldnt be used for watching TV as randoms sleep on the sofas etc in sleeping bags -- not sure if they are paying guests! I do not recommend this place to anyone. there was a mum and baby there last night.
Comment by Cyrils, French
March 2009
Just been refused a room because we have a baby. We've been backpacking a lot and more specifically in New Zealand these months and it never happened. A guy snogging his girlfriend said a backpacker is not a proper place for a baby (I think he was kind of close from being one himself). Very surprised I'm a party animal too but know how to deal with living in a community. Please don't go there, lack of management.
Comment by Tricia
November 2006
I stayed in this hostel in January, 2002 and somebody staying in my room actually did vomit right outside the bedroom door while on one of his many trips to the bathroom that night. He was fined $50 and I, along with my roommates received a crate of beer from one of the staff members as "compensation."
Comment by anon
October 2006
Second time I've stayed there and the last time I will. Unless you want to stay in a party house -- look elsewhere. Noisy drunk people everywhere and management are either condoning it or not around. Stayed two nights and couldnt believe the difference from our first visit about five to seven years ago. if it was advertised correctly it should say 'party house.' When other guests are running around yelling and screaming and you hear girls saying they think they are going to vomit outside your room it sort of loses its appeal. The doorbell rings all the time when the drinking is happening which makes you wonder how secure the place is. Another guest (not with us) had to take a sleeping pill to get sleep. Never again!
Comment by Anon
September 2005
After hearing lots of good things about this hostel I was really disappointed by it. When I booked I wasn't told that they didn't provide bedding and when I arrived it was late and the office was closed. The dorm they put me in was full of long termers who had their stuff absolutely everywhere; there was barely space to stand my backpack. I had a job starting the next day and needed to iron some clothes but the iron had gone missing from the laundry and couldn't be found. The showers are also a bit dirty. Overall, I don't rate this hostel at all and wouldn't recommend it.
Comment by Hard Core Traveller
July 2005
I stayed at this hostel for a fair while, whilst working in Wellington. It had all the ambience of a home-away-from-home, friendly long-termers and enough "randoms" to keep the feeling of travelling alive. Along with nice hostel-managers, like Francis, who used to give us extra cask wine if we were well behaved. Activities were also arranged by the Social Coordinators, who ensured that people all got together for a few drinks of an evening. They were generally held in high regard and respected throughout the hostel. Not sure if there are any Social Coordinators left now though.
Comment by Irish girl
April 2005
We had a fantastic time there. The people were friendly and helpful. Clean rooms, kitchen and showers, not to mention the free wine at night and free breakfast. I would recommend staying there.
Comment by Ina
February 2005
I had a great time there. It has friendly people (travelers and long-stayers) and good rooms. There were clean rooms, showers and kitchen, and free Internet and wine. There was nothing I could say that I missed!
Comment by Anonymous
November 2004
This place had very friendly people and a homely feel when we first arrived. The room I was staying in was a mess and people's stuff was thrown around the room. I had no idea which bed was mine as stuff was everywhere on all the beds and I couldn't see a bed made up for me. This place didn't have the best showers — there was only one woman's shower. I had to check out one afternoon two days before I was due to go, as I had an emergency that came up. They were very rude to me about checking out late, as the office is only open certain hours. It wasn't my fault and I was very apologetic but they were just rude. Overall it's not that flash and I wouldn't recommend staying here for very long.
Have you visited this hostel? Post your comments here.

10 of 17
Exclusive Photos Taken by the Hostelz.com Reviewer
Additional Photos

Hostelz.com Poll
Which do you use for opinions when choosing a hostel?
Comments from Hostelz.com Users (the ones with star ratings)
Hostelz.com's own Exclusive Reviews
Both
Not sure / don't understand
Other:

Hostelz.com is the only hostel guide with complete information and reviews on all youth hostels and backpackers worldwide.