Beethoven House Hostel

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!

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.

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?

Nuts
Beethoven house is seriously funny and one of the few places you might actually still be talking about years after staying there.

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.

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!

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.

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.

I loved this place!! I remember being a bit set off by this place at first due to the uncommon protocol. I have traveled many places and yet 10+ years later I still remember my experience here.. Allan was very diva and the house was dark.. there were no locks and I rememebr the shower stalls confussing me.. and the morning breakfast has always been my favorite memory.. still after all this time I wish I had bought a T shirt. I dont remember it being as dirty as some have mentioned. However the uniqueness has been everlasting in a most positive light.

Beethoven House is not for everyone, but I have travelled all over the world and have never felt such a sense of "family love" as here--I always come back. It has a wonderful atmosphere like no other hostel; if you're willing to be friendly, social, and open-minded, you can't do any better.

I thought Beethoven house was a great experience. Allan was eccentric and pleasant. He even drove my friend and I to his house outside the city and gave us lunch before my friend and I backpacked south. I wish I knew how Allan was doing. If you ever read this thing hope you're doing well, buddy. It's definitely a place to go if you want to experience something different. If you're looking for something fancy, Beethoven place is not for you. Peace.

Anybody who thinks that this is a sh*t place to stay and has been rude enough to write about it are in my opinion sad. We stayed here in 1998 for about three months. It was a great experience. Allen the owner is a fabulous person, ok yes, the ants in the kitchen and the dog hair on the floor could put people off but if anybody has any sense of fun and adventure this was always a great place to be. We will always have brilliant memories of our stay here. Allen is a legend all over the world. Whenever I know someone who is travelling to Wellington I always tell him or her to visit here. So if you read this Allen, thank you so much for being the perfect host.

Loved the atmosphere!! I stayed about seven months at one point. It was a great place to stay in Wellington, and Allen is unique. He had a couple of dogs when I was there Bessy and ??, which we used to take walking on Mt. Victoria. Breakfasts were always great with ginger tea and cheese toasties cooked outside with love hearts cut out in the middle. I have fond memories of a very interesting time. I wonder how Allen is doing. Anyone know??

Don't stay there. Mucky and dark. Bad kitchen, weird staff.

I was there just before their 30th anniversary. I loved this place; the guy running it is a bit special yes, but that's what makes it something you just shouldn't miss! I got woken up in the morning by his Beethoven music, and got served (free) breakfast. We all thought he was mad, the owner that is. Anyway, I missed my departing Kiwi Experience Bus (who by the way refused to go there in the first place, even though it was on their schedule, shame on them!). I decided to hitchhike and the owner was taking his car outside of town anyway to look after his house. So he drove me to his house, where I got some (free) lunch and then I went hitchhiking (where I got picked up by this cool half-Maori guy, but that's a different story). All together it was the best hostel I have ever been to; it is very informal, a really interesting place. You will either love it or hate it. I highly recommend it!