The Hostelz.com Review
The location of Egmont Eco Lodge makes one feel well away from the bustle of a city such as New Plymouth, yet it is only a half-hour walk or five-minute drive into the city centre.
The lounge is a great place to make new friends and relax with books, cards, and board games. Its windows overlook a spacious lawn area beside a stream where one may be able to see and feed the eels. Outside, you can snooze in the hammocks, walk through the garden, and pet the animals.
As with all YHA hostels, bedding is provided and the kitchen is well-equipped. Each night the hosts offer a free slice of their delicious Egmont cake. The rooms range from doubles to dorms and are in the downstairs part of the main building as well as in a separate building at the back.
A five-minute walk from the hostel brings you to the Huatoki Walkway. This pleasant streamside track brings you to the city centre and close to lovely Pukekura Park, famous for its lake and views of Mt. Taranaki. With the Brooklands Park, TSB Bowl, and the new Chinese gardens nearby, you can make up an interesting day's sightseeing on foot.
Anyone can stay at the hostel but there is a nightly surcharge if you do not have a YHA membership. The name of Egmont Eco Lodge reflects the YHA's commitment to the environment; recycling of waste is practised here, as with all other YHA hostels.
The lounge is a great place to make new friends and relax with books, cards, and board games. Its windows overlook a spacious lawn area beside a stream where one may be able to see and feed the eels. Outside, you can snooze in the hammocks, walk through the garden, and pet the animals.
As with all YHA hostels, bedding is provided and the kitchen is well-equipped. Each night the hosts offer a free slice of their delicious Egmont cake. The rooms range from doubles to dorms and are in the downstairs part of the main building as well as in a separate building at the back.
A five-minute walk from the hostel brings you to the Huatoki Walkway. This pleasant streamside track brings you to the city centre and close to lovely Pukekura Park, famous for its lake and views of Mt. Taranaki. With the Brooklands Park, TSB Bowl, and the new Chinese gardens nearby, you can make up an interesting day's sightseeing on foot.
Anyone can stay at the hostel but there is a nightly surcharge if you do not have a YHA membership. The name of Egmont Eco Lodge reflects the YHA's commitment to the environment; recycling of waste is practised here, as with all other YHA hostels.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2006
Their Description
Egmont Eco Lodge YHA Hostel Details
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Egmont Eco Lodge YHA Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Deserted and far from the center I went to this place because they have parking -- a mistake. It is much better to park your car closer to the center on the street, where the free on-street parking starts and stay in the center. This place was close to deserted. I hardly saw people there. — Lior , Israel (2009-04-15) Unfriendly and barren. This place is terrible. It is absolutely soulless, and is really just a budget hostel at far-from-budget prices. We booked for two nights, but left after one as it was just too depressing. The staff were unfriendly, and there is nothing "eco" about it at all (well maybe a couple of energy saving bulbs about the place, but that's the extent of it). I will definitely not stay at any of the Taranaki Experience places ever again. — Sean , New Zealand (2008-07-31) Amazingly good Came to stay only one night but stayed five. You are right in the central city but here you are surrounded by nature. Great staff and peaceful and plenty of cute animals. Feed the chickens or the large eels. The cat is friendly. Off road parking and an ideal base to explore Mt. Taranaki and Egmont National Park. I would recommend this as a true kiwi hostel. — Racheal , Sweden (2007-08-29) good scenery and clean, cozy, and quiet place. egmont cake was kind of delicious. but, very far from the centre if you have no car. — jini (2006-06-29)Please read this before you go to any of the facilities of "Taranaki experience".
I would like to share unpleasant incidents my husband and I had with "Taranaki Experience Company" and its proprietor Gary Ogle. In October 2005 we reserved a room in "Egmont Eco Lodge" for Jan. 2006. Our credit card was charged for $60NZ. During our stay in New Zealand, we had to change our plans, and cancelled our reservation, about a week in advance. The person, who accepted our cancellation at "Egmond Eco Lodge", directed us to Gary Ogle for refund, because he was the one to charge our credit card. I tried to talk to Mr. Ogle on the phone, and to clarify the situation with the charge and cancellation. Unfortunately, I could not get a reasonable response. Mr. Ogle told me, that it costs him a dollar a minute to talk to me (this is rude and inconsiderate to me), and that he will sent me an explanation via e-mail in the next four days. It has been almost a month, and I have not received an answer from Mr. Ogle. Back home I understood, that to get a refund from Mr. Ogle, one has to cancel 4 weeks in advance. I wonder how much of his company's income comes from cancellations, for which he does not give refund. My advice to the people who would like to stay at "Egmont Eco Lodge" or any other of Mr. Ogle's properties in the Taranaki/New Plymouth area: never make a reservation in advance; even if you are 100% sure you will be there on a particular date.
Another unpleasant incident we had in "Mountain Café", also part of "Taranaki Experience". The café is located in Egmont visitor center. After two days of hiking (second day in heavy rain), we came to the "Mountain Café" and were glad to see it still opened. We ordered two omelets and two soft drinks, for which we were charged $38NZ. No register slip was provided to us. We compared the prices with the price list and found out, that the numbers did not add up. When we asked the man at the register, he apologies for the mistake, saying that his sister changed labels on the register, and returned to us an overcharge of $9.50NZ.
My husband and I are regulars in New Zealand; we have been there six times since 2000. People everywhere are very friendly, and always making us feel welcome. This is one of the reasons we go there year after year. For the first time we had such unpleasant experience with Mr. Ogle and his staff at "Taranaki experience". Please read this before you go to any of the facilities of "Taranaki experience". — Roumi, U.S.A. (2006-02-08)
This is an excellent place! The setting is beautiful and peaceful, and staff were really friendly, and the rooms really comfortable, quiet and clean. Tons of parking, and nice but small kitchen. No TV, but the friendliness of the other guests precluded any need for one. And if you're so inclined, the staff will even let you feed the freshwater eels that live in the stream behind the house. — Karen E. (2005-12-01) Excellent place. Nice and clean and friendly, and great facilities. — Carolyn USA (2005-05-24)