The Hostelz.com Review
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.
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
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Base Queenstown Details
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Awful We stayed there in double bedroom. After arrival we noticed, that a window in the room wasn't a window at all. Was terrible hot that fay and the only ventilation was a fan, that constantly worked and very noisy. Only for one night, with no sleep at all. Room was intended to be for disabled, because bathroom was designed for it. Shameful to put disabled away in this room. — Anonymous , Netherlands (2012-01-19) Didn't love it This was the worst hostel we stayed in while traveling around NZ. We stayed here in December 2008, in an 8-bed mixed sex dorm, which was fine but very cramped. The bathrooms were dirty (you have one shower/toilet allocated to each dorm rather than a larger shared bathroom). Staff weren't the most helpful bunch in the world. Bar on site. Loads of computers available. Great location -- right in the centre of Queenstown. — Lisa , England (2010-02-10) In decline (rapid decline) Worst hostel we stayed in whilst in NZ. Dirty -- kitchen was awful and poorly equipped. Rooms were dirty and in need of redecorating and new bedding buying. Showers were poor. Dining room was filthy. Staff were not helpful. Plus points, Great location, Queenstown is fantastic -- lots to see and do and plenty of places to eat/drink. Good fish and chip shop (that does curry sauce/gravy). Bar is ok. It's old and rundown and in need of renovation. — Nick , England (2009-04-14) Immaculate! I stayed at Discovery Lodge for a three-day weekend and was amazed at the high quality of the private/en-suite rooms. The beds were extremely comfy, clean, and the bathrooms were near new. Although right in central city, the rooms were very sound proof, allowing people to sleep better. The rooms were also equipped with a DVD player, TV, and mini fridge. There was also a friendly bar downstairs and although a New Zealander, I still managed to meet a heap of new and exciting people I highly recommend anybody to stay here, I will never forget it. — Kerryanne , New Zealand (2009-01-14) I was in an eight-bed dorm and it was really roomy and had a great view of the mountains. The room had an en-suite attached which was great and the room was pretty secure with lockers under every bed. The bar is great has a really great vibe and found it pretty easy to meet people. Although the bar goes off if you are trying to sleep it is pretty hard -- found it easier just partying with everyone downstairs. The kitchen was pretty basic and the internet was a little slow. Loads of young people which was good for me but not so great for families. — chanelle (2007-03-20) This place was filthy. Our bedspread was stained, the hallways smelt, the kitchen was disgusting (a bird was in there eating leftovers off the benches). The staff weren't great, the internet incredibly slow. And the bar underneath was extremely loud. (People staying across the road mentioned how loud it was.) Do not stay here if you want a good nights sleep. The only thing in its favour is its central location. — Amanda (2006-03-07) This is a fabulous hostel, more like a hotel in a great location. I stayed in a doule room which felt very secure. The room had a TV, fridge and bath with shower and felt very spacious.
The hostel is centrally located (five minutes to the gondola) and has lots of info on activities in the local area. There are also plenty of computers with reasonably priced internet access. — Suzannah Great location shame about the hostel (2006-01-18) Well, what can I say? Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. This place was extremely well located and an in-house bar made it an ideal place to meet new people. I was there at the beginning of the year, and I was very impressed with the rooms, staff, and the occupants. I strongly recommend this place to anyone searching for a great time. — Claire (2005-05-28) This is a cool hostel with a great staff! The price could be a bit less, though. — Maya (2004-12-29) We have just spent five nights at this hostel and it was great, considering we are in our forties and had two teenagers with us. The most impressive thing was the attitude of the staff. They were happy to help and nothing was an issue. The only thing that peeved us was some idiot setting off the fire alarm at 4 a.m. and the staff not knowing how to turn the alarm off! In all though, this hostel is a clean and really well located place to stay. — Anonymous (2004-10-10)