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Dusky Lodge

Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand

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Online booking is not offered for this hostel, contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Address
67 Beach Road, Kaikoura   Map
Price
$23 per night in dorms; doubles from $53, BBH discounts available
Location/Contact
Details
Their Description

Features

  • Kitchen
  • Lockers
 
The Hostelz.com Review
Dusky Lodge is centrally located in Kaikoura, though from the outside has a bit of a Motel 6 look about, and just a stone's throw away from the water, as well as an easy walk to the main street.

It has a pool, hot tub and sauna available to guests, and while Dusky advertises that the pool is heated, it seemed mighty cold during a recent visit. There is a beautiful wood deck out back that looks out on the mountains (and sometimes people's laundry). It also boasts two large and well-stocked kitchens (kept pretty clean considering the heavy use they get) and provides free pastries in the afternoon from the neighborhing bakery, which some backpackers seem to use as their main sustenance of the day.

The only real downside is the busloads of backpackers that often unload there -- though party-goers may enjoy the infusion of young blood into the small hot tub.

Staff is friendly though transient; the owner is a keen fisherman, and if he gets to know you, may invite you to a seafood barbecue. During a recent visit, he was also planning on starting up his new wood-fired oven for pizza nights.

Internet is available. Bikes are available for rental from the hostel for mere $5NZ a day, though must be returned before nightfall.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review


Your Comments
This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites, we don't censor out the negative comments.
We do not validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Simon, Australian
May 2007
Stayed here for a couple of nights. The room (especially linen and shower) were dirty. Found numerous hairs (from hair and pubic region) in the bed, the duvet cover had not been cleaned, and we have both got bedbugs from the place and are still itching two weeks later. Not the first instance of bedbugs at this place from what I have heard either. The lady at reception had a terrible attitude also. Wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy.
Comment by Monica, British
April 2007
I stayed at Dusky Lodge last week and was very disappointed. The place is fantastic with a pool and spa, and really nice communal spaces. So why was I disappointed? The duvet covers stank really bad to the extent that myself and my friend had a really bad sleep. There was no one available to give us fresh covers when we went to bed because it was after 9 p.m. and when we complained we got a very off-hand response. The problem with Dusky Lodge is that they have a no-sleeping bags policy, but they they don't actually wash their duvet covers for every new person. They give you a single-sized top sheet and say that's clean and means its hygienic. Shame that human beings naturally move in their sleep, and my duvet cover had certainly from the smell of it been on that bed for some time! Stayed in loads of other hostels in NZ and never had that problem, don't know why Dusky Lodge can't just wash their bedding.
Comment by Gillian Murray
January 2007
I visited Dusky Lodge two years ago on three-month trip to New Zealand. Staying in Dusky Lodge was just fantastic. Friendly staff, great surroundings. We ended up staying three weeks after booking in initially for three nights. Kaikoura is a wonderful village. I would go back in a second, only Dusky Lodge is a very long way away from Ireland.
Comment by Eddie C.
June 2005
Of all the hostels I've stayed at in New Zealand this one wins hands down. It has amazing views, great staff and the free buns in the evening are great, too!
Comment by Anonymous
February 2005
This place was okay, though there are better places in Kaikoura up the road. But if you're looking for something between a nice cozy place and a huge party place I guess this would be it. It's clean, has awesome views, and nice staff, as well as dolphin swims. Do the Peninsula walk — it takes five hours but it's worth it.
Comment by Bourbon Monroe
February 2005
It was okay, certainly clean with an awesome balcony and spa. I just found it to be a bit too busy at times when the Kiwi Experience and Magic Bus travelers arrived. Though I felt it lacked a certain charm at times (I guess that happens when the bus people come by and only stay a night) the staff were extremely helpful, especially when my dolphin swimming kept on getting cancelled due to bad weather.
Comment by Chris
November 2004
This was a quality place, especially because of the free cakes at 4 p.m. every day.
Comment by Tdr
July 2004
It's awesome!
Have you visited this hostel? Post your comments here.

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