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Please see Wellington for other available Wellington hostels and accommodations.
Please see Wellington for other available Wellington hostels and accommodations.
Description
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Beethoven House Hostel Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | 89 Brougham Street, Wellington (Mt Victoria), North Island, New Zealand |
| Location | Bus No 2 from Railway Station |
| Website | None (if you know the URL of their website, tell us and we'll add it) |
| Telephone | (04) 939 4678 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
I was there in 1981. I loved the atmosphere of the house and Alan is one of the open minded persons i've ever met. I hope he is still well! — Peter , Austria (2011-11-06) Special I was there in 1986 on my way around the globe. It was the most unique and special hostel experience of my journey. I am pleased to see it still exists. I can still smell the cardomom in the chai, see the bonsai trees on the back porch, and hear that music. — Ann from Colorado , USA (2011-05-20) Friendly Atmosphere, Eccentric Owner, Experience of a lifetime I stopped here on my first night in Wellington in April 2005 and met friends whom I count among my best six years later. I met my wife here. This hostel was not the cleanest, but it was the centre of my social world for 9 months of my 2 year stay in Wellington and I found it friendly, charming, and unique. This place will always hold a special place in my heart. — Jonathan , Ireland (2011-04-30) Great morning possums and beethoven music. i was there 2003, great hostel with a lot notes at the wall in the kitchen. — joerg , germany (2009-12-17) Unique, Memorable We met Alan in 1977! It was our most memorable stay in NZ and to this day we still talk about it. Alan taught us a lot -- especially how to have an open mind. I'm elated that he is still running Beethoven house and still touching peoples hearts. Gotta go back to NZ even if just to see Alan. — Bette , Canada (2009-11-09) Weird and wonderful home away from home Well I stayed there for seven months or so in 2007/8. we first went there to visit a friend and loved the atmosphere of the hostel (compared to horrible hostle down the road, called Rowinas) so much that we moved straight in. People have said that it was dirty, well that depends on who is staying there because sometimes its not too bad. I had an unforgettable time there (although due to the amount of weed we smoked there, there are a few days/nights I probably have forgotten) and met some great people and some bad people. Although its not all bad I also met my girlfriend Freya, whom i've been with for nearly three years, in the beethoven! Allen is by far the most eccentric person i've ever met he comes across as rude and brash but he's not all that bad once you get to know him. But if you smoke he will probably take a dislike to you. You have to be aware that there are no locks on the doors so it is just a case being careful with you're stuff and keep an eye on who's about, everyone looks out for each other normally, in the Beethoven. Its not hard to feel at home but the beethoven is like marmite -- you either love it or you hate it! — Richard C , Isle of Man (UK) (2009-11-06) Unique and unforgettable experience I stayed at Beethoven house and I will never forget it. If you're open minded and enjoy different experiences, you will enjoy this place. We got there later at night with Kiwi Safari, and were escorted to a nice bedroom with a beautiful large window, and couple of bunk beds. In the morning I found out why it's called Beethoven house. We were awakened with Beethoven music set to sounds of nature (surf/ocean). I remember waking up with the impression that I was on the beach. What a nice way to wake up! We were then treated to breakfast with heart shaped toast and orange juice. Allen is quite a character, he does not fit one particular personality type it seems. He was very cheerful and made us feel right at home. He told us that while we were away from our mommies he was there to make sure we had a good breakfast and we drank our oj for our vitamin C. He then suggested we follow his dogs to be escorted to the famous One Tree Hill. I had to stick around to catch a ride but wish I had taken the time to go. He was very friendly and I had a great time. I don't remember the place being dirty, but even if it had a few dust bunnies, just get over it! This was a very large, beautiful home, and I think Allen was on his own to run the place. I don't think he would be able to keep the whole house clean by himself, with the constant back and forth of travelers using the place. If he hired cleaning staff, the fees would go up and this place would no longer be affordable for young travelers who need a safe place to crash. Just go! It's great and it'll add to your collection of good stories to tell. — Dominique B. , Canada (2009-01-14) Friendly and quirky I stayed at Beethoven House a couple of times for a few days each around Christmas 1984, which admittedly is a very long time ago. I remember fondly Allen, the somewhat weird (in a positive sense!) owner who made breakfast and cooked for us every night (has that changed?). The atmosphere then was very friendly and relaxed with lots of low-key international backpackers in the days when hitching was still an established travel option and prices were cheap. I stayed on top of a bunk bed and woke up every morning to Beethoven's music (I am not what you would call into classical music) overlooking the sunny and beautiful bay from my bed! Perfect! I had a great time there, bought the T-shirt (and wore it for many years!) and even met my Kiwi wife there! Now we have two children and are living in Melbourne but I/we still fondly remember our time at the Beethoven House -- and we are not biased! — Christian , Germany/Australia (2007-12-24) Only for extremely laid-back young people This place is weird, and you should only stay here if you are looking for a unique experience unlike other hostels. There is no reception desk or procedure of any kind. When we arrived, there was no manager or anyone working there -- another hosteler told us you just look at rooms until you find an empty one and put your things there. The house is like someone's cluttered old house with some rooms you can stay in. The room itself was relatively clean and bright, but the kitchen was disgusting and the common areas seemed cluttered and not too clean. The bathroom wasn't bad given the rest of the place. There are no keys to rooms, so you must leave your stuff and hope for the best. We saw a weird little sign saying it cost $6 to use the shower or toilet, which freaked us out. Then we found out that wasn't for folks in rooms, just for folks living in the backyard or in their cars coming in to use the bathroom. So we remained freaked out. Everyone staying there was very young, a long-term roomer, and hanging around during the day and not particularly friendly. It seemed more like a squatter house for runaway youths than a hostel. — Stacey , United States (2007-12-04) Second home I came to Beethoven House in February 2001 and stayed until April. In those two months Allan's Place became a second home for me. Great longterm-stayers, very familiar atmosphere and the eccentric, unforgettable owner Allan. Are you crazy enough? — Sonja , Germany (2007-11-12) Nuts Beethoven house is seriously funny and one of the few places you might actually still be talking about years after staying there. — Tanko , UK (2007-10-12) Cool Allen is a king legend! had a wicked stay here with my mate Frank in 2002. you gotta try it. great mood in the house and Allen is quality. — James Radcliffe , Brittish (2007-10-12) I stayed in Beethoven House in 1982 and took my wife there in 1995, in some part to repeat the previous "memorable" experience. Allan did not disappoint. At that time there were impromptu dinners that were shared in the gardens. We were warned to be ready to hide or sneak out the back in case the "suits" came to check the number of occupants. It was a place to visit because of the character of the owner! If you don't like individualism, don't go. Stand up for yourself, have no expectations, and walk away for the place as the most memorable hostel I've stayed at anywhere in the world. When I think of Wellington, I think of Beethoven House. I will be headed back to New Zealand, with my family, in Jan 2007 and will stop by to see how Allan is doing. Unfortunately, my silk screened Beethoven House T-shirt gave up many years ago but thankfully Allan hasn't. Thanks to all those who recognized Beethoven House for its character rather than it's exterior/interior attributes. Sure you didn't know where you were going to sleep but you didn't get turned away if you needed a bed (flat space to sleep) after the walk up the hill! — Doug Gould (2006-11-22) I first stayed at Beethoven House in 1986 and have been back a few times since. I'm glad to see it is still providing an intriguing experience for easy going travellers. Though it is certainly not your average hostel and doesn't come up to international five star hotel standards in terms of facilities, it is unique and one of the many good things about travelling in New Zealand. If you only want your travelling experiences to be antiseptic, white-washed, and pre-approved by a travel guide then you really shouldn't stay here. And hey, if the kitchen is less than spotless why not offer to help out for an hour and give it a clean, that after all is what travelling and hostelling should be about. If you want your meals cooked and your room cleaned for you stay in a hotel. Or better yet, just stay at home with your parents until you are old enough to cope with the real world. — Skip (2006-05-11) Well...what to say about Beethoven? If you're looking for a unique experience in a hostel that is not quite clean and wonderful this is it. I really believe that you have to be crazy to stay here. I lived in BH for about 3 weeks and enjoyed it for one reason and one reason only. PEOPLE. The people at BH are very odd, friendly, and intruiging. There are not very good beds, not always clean facilities, a black and white (sometimes color if you work hard) TV, and a garden that's nice to sit out at night and for lunches. Good outdoor areas. Small kitchen. Allen is a very interesting and somewhat intimidation 5 foot elderly man with a serious point of view. As long as you talk back to him you'll be on his good list right away. I met wonderful people there that I will never forget and there is a pretty good weekly rate of 114 (after the third week you pay for 6 nights a week only). Be prepared to be woken up sometimes for breakfast and to walk up a big hill to get here. If you want a workout to get back from town (its close but high) and a severly unique experience...book this place. You will NEVER forget it. I promise. — Kate (2006-02-08)