Base Queenstown

Discovery Lodge is a newer hostel with great location, excellent facilities, and a definite backpacker scene. It's located a block up from the lake on one of the main streets through town, Shotover Street (look for the hostel's sign), within walking distance of everything. Discovery Lodge is one of the four hostels in the Beyond Backpackers group, with its relatives in Auckland (Auckland Central Backpackers), Paihia (Pipi Patch Lodge), and Rotorua (Hot Rock Backpackers).

If you enjoyed a stay in any of these other hostels then you'll probably love Discovery Lodge. Facilities are excellent and very clean, with a choice of spacious dorms (eight to twelve and four to six people in each), triples, doubles/twins, and singles. Bathrooms are right outside the door and are very clean, with toilets and showers separated and on either side from the sink area. Above each bed is a reading light, and beds come with sheets and duvets.

You'll find the front desk (open twenty-four hours), travel booking desk, internet area, cafe and bar on the ground floor -- the area is usually always busy. Rooms are located upstairs, as are the kitchen and dining rooms. Both are clean and the kitchen has everything you'd expect to find in a nice kitchen. There is also a TV room and a separate room with a fireplace and couches if you're interested in meeting some other travellers.

The most popular place in the hostel is probably the bar, where you can party the night away. A small annoyance might be sound filtering up from the bar if you're in a room above it, so try requesting a room away from it if you're worried about noise. Discovery Lodge definitely has some party scene, so if this is for you then this is your place. If you're not looking for the nightlife, then perhaps consider other hostels, but Discovery Lodge is still a good bet. Enjoy your stay in Queenstown, experience some adrenaline-filled adventures by day, and then relax back at this nice hostel.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
March 2006