The Hostelz.com Review
HI - YHA Wanaka - Purple Cow Backpackers Hostel is delightful. The first thing you notice is the large bay window overlooking the park and lake. Upon entering the hostel there are large common areas for the dining room, computer room, and pool table.
The Location
This hostel is very well located, just a couple blocks back from the lake. From the main downtown area the hostel is no more than a ten-minute walk. There is plenty of parking available in front and behind the hostel.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm room is average at best. Some rooms don't have windows to the outside and there are no lockers in any of the room. The door automatically locks when you leave, so don't forget your key. There are several options for beds ranging from eight beds to private rooms -- some have an ensuite bathroom and there are a few single bathrooms located in the hallways as well. The ensuite bathrooms are small but there is enough room to change. There is some room on the sinks for toiletries while using the bathroom, but no shelves in the shower for shampoo or soap, and there is one towel rack. The hallway bathrooms are the same as the ensuite bathrooms, but without the towel rack.
Common Spaces
There is a very large kitchen, a pool table room, a dining room, a TV room, and a computer room with a book exchange. The kitchen has plenty of burners and sinks and counter space to allow many people to make dinner at once, and most nights the kitchen is packed. Everything is covered in stainless steel and kept tidy by the guests and staff. The dining room is well used, with several tables and chairs in front of the large bay window overlooking the lake. When the weather is nice, there are a couple picnic tables in the front of the hostel to eat at as well.
The hostel plays a movie every night in the TV room around 7 or 8 p.m. Although it's nice to watch a free movie, you are at the mercy of the hostel for what they are showing -- if the movie isn't appealing then there is no TV to watch. There are five or six computers in the computer room equipped with internet. Wireless internet is also available for guests with their own computers. The book exchange is located in this room but it is more a collection of books left in rooms by guests and put on the bookshelf by the staff.
The guests at the hostel are mostly other backpackers, and many are willing to chat and talk about their travels and listen to your own as well. The staff are also excellent, very friendly and helpful. There is also a whiteboard in the entry where people can leave messages for catching or giving a ride to different parts of the country.
Summary
This hostel is a pleasure to stay at, if a lack of windows in the bedroom is not a problem (some bedrooms don't have windows). There is plenty of common space that is well used by the guests but not overly crowded.
The Location
This hostel is very well located, just a couple blocks back from the lake. From the main downtown area the hostel is no more than a ten-minute walk. There is plenty of parking available in front and behind the hostel.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm room is average at best. Some rooms don't have windows to the outside and there are no lockers in any of the room. The door automatically locks when you leave, so don't forget your key. There are several options for beds ranging from eight beds to private rooms -- some have an ensuite bathroom and there are a few single bathrooms located in the hallways as well. The ensuite bathrooms are small but there is enough room to change. There is some room on the sinks for toiletries while using the bathroom, but no shelves in the shower for shampoo or soap, and there is one towel rack. The hallway bathrooms are the same as the ensuite bathrooms, but without the towel rack.
Common Spaces
There is a very large kitchen, a pool table room, a dining room, a TV room, and a computer room with a book exchange. The kitchen has plenty of burners and sinks and counter space to allow many people to make dinner at once, and most nights the kitchen is packed. Everything is covered in stainless steel and kept tidy by the guests and staff. The dining room is well used, with several tables and chairs in front of the large bay window overlooking the lake. When the weather is nice, there are a couple picnic tables in the front of the hostel to eat at as well.
The hostel plays a movie every night in the TV room around 7 or 8 p.m. Although it's nice to watch a free movie, you are at the mercy of the hostel for what they are showing -- if the movie isn't appealing then there is no TV to watch. There are five or six computers in the computer room equipped with internet. Wireless internet is also available for guests with their own computers. The book exchange is located in this room but it is more a collection of books left in rooms by guests and put on the bookshelf by the staff.
The guests at the hostel are mostly other backpackers, and many are willing to chat and talk about their travels and listen to your own as well. The staff are also excellent, very friendly and helpful. There is also a whiteboard in the entry where people can leave messages for catching or giving a ride to different parts of the country.
Summary
This hostel is a pleasure to stay at, if a lack of windows in the bedroom is not a problem (some bedrooms don't have windows). There is plenty of common space that is well used by the guests but not overly crowded.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
May 2011
Their Description
HI - YHA Wanaka - Purple Cow Backpackers Hostel Details
|
|
(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Map Location/ContactHow is HI - YHA Wanaka - Purple Cow Backpackers Hostel rated on other websites?
Not listed.
HI - YHA Wanaka - Purple Cow Backpackers Hostel Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Great hostel stayed here for almost a week early august and found it super. nice views from the hostel, fireplace to keep warm, pool table, table tennis. giant shared kitchen to cook with others if your room doesnt have one and the rooms have good heating to keep you toasty (and even toastier for the guy with the upper bunk next to the heater). on the downside, the pillowcases are really old and made me think they werent pillow cases and you only get a single bed sheet. if there were an IKEA in wanaka i wouldve went to buy my own. squeaky bunks make baby jesus cry so ask for a room with wooden bed frames if staying in a dorm. reception girl (claire) was the best and deserves a raise, arranged to have us moved after our swine flu paranoia, which was probably a real pain in the ass as the hostel was full but was totally understanding through it all. claire's #1! — Michael , aussie (2009-08-07) Good, especially in the rain! Good hostel in the rain, lots of games and nice big social space, nice kitchen and good touch with the big screen for nightly movies. woman on reception not the most helpful but never mind! — Sal , UK (2009-01-02) Best Hostel in NZ I stayed in a twin-room for a few nights in December '08. The room is quite large and has an en-suite bathroom. Views from the kitchen and meals area are fantastic, you get to see the lake and the beautiful mountains. The place is quite nice and clean. There's a big TV room where people can choose to watch a large collection of DVDs available free of charge. Staff members are all very friendly, they helped me book transport and hostels in other towns. Five stars! — Tom , Australia (2008-12-19) This is a large hostel but I stayed in one of the 6-person cabins with its own lounge, kitchen and bathroom so you don't realise how big the hostel actually is. There are excellent nightly movies shown and the main kitchen is new and well-equipped which is great as the cabin kitchen was tiny and not very clean. The bathroom in the cabin was so small, you couldn't turn round in it. Wanaka is a good place for spending some time and this hostel has great views of the lake and the manager was helpful. — Gillian , Belfast (2007-05-23) Highly overrated! Nice location with a lakeview, and good kitchen and common areas. However, the rooms were cramped and uncomfortable, with squeaky bunks. They charge extra for duvets, which are necessary when it's a bit chilly. Bathrooms were dirty and cramped. Staff weren't very friendly or helpful, and the whole place was looking run down. — Sarah (2006-07-10) fab! by far the best hostel on the south island. The kitchen is always clean, the view of the lake is stunning, and there is a very spacious tv lounge area. very nice place to stay, i'd go there again and again. — cs (2006-06-14) Fantastic hostel. All rooms are en-suite and the kitchen is always clean. The dining area has a fantastic view of the lake and it feels more like a boutique hotel than a hostel. The staff are friendly too. Great place to stay and I'd stay there again. — AP (2006-03-11) One of the best places to stay whilst on the South Island. The location - both within the town, and Wanaka itself - is just superb. The hosts are friendly, the crowd is great, and the place is CLEAN! — Disappointed (2006-02-19) This backpackers is a must for anybody looking for a great place to stay. Cannot say more for the quality of facitilites, staff and guests! Stayed here twice now, would definitely stay here again! Great cosy and homly feel to the place year round... — JB (2006-02-03) Great place to stay. It's very log cabin-ish, with an absolutely gorgeous view, and cozy reading and game areas. The only downfall was that they only provided one sheet to cover the mattress and a second sheet or blankets cost a fee. So make sure you have your sleeping bag or a cozy blanket. — Brett (2004-10-23) Book ahead in winter, and request a studio room in the back if it's available. There are only four people in each room and they have their own bath, kitchen and lounge area. — Mary (2004-07-14)