Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see Blenheim for other available Blenheim hostels and accommodations.
Please see Blenheim for other available Blenheim hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
Leeways Backpackers is situated in the heart of the Marlborough wine region in the town of Blenheim. The region gets the most sunny days per year in all of New Zealand, making ideal conditions for agriculture. Leeways is one of only a handful of hostels in this area, and provides an economical option for short or long-term visitors. This is very much a working hostel, and you'll find most of the residents are either working in the vineyards or fruit orchards.
The Location
The hostel is easy to find and clearly marked on the corner of Lansdowne Street. There's ample off-street parking available. While there is no public bus service in Blenheim, the town centre is only a short walk away down Hutcheson Street. There are two restaurants just down the street from the hostel -- a decent Italian restaurant and a pub serving the usual bar food. If you're going to visit the vineyards or work in one, you'll need a car or a sturdy set of cycling legs, as the town is somewhat sprawling.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Each of the rooms is assigned a different sea creature (dolphin, conch, oyster), though none have locks. Most of the rooms are on the second floor, and it can get a bit stuffy in the heat of the day. The dorms have two dresser units to store your belongings and a mirror. The beds are metal bunks and fairly sturdy. The sheets are crisp, clean, and in good condition.
There is a separate toilet on the second floor, with the showers on ground level. The showers are pretty basic. No stalls or anything to change in, and the curtain across the opening is about all the privacy you get. Water pressure is good and even at the end of the shower line there's still hot water.
Common Spaces
There are a few common areas around to hang out. The kitchen is good sized and well equipped with seating. There's a TV lounge with a large screen TV and fireplace. Out front there's a comfortable porch with furniture, though they request you not linger out there too late out of consideration for the bedrooms behind. There's also the "party shed" out back with a ping pong table and separate refrigerator. This is clearly the party room, and word on the street is that there can be some good ones during the summer season.
Most of the residents are here long term to work and save some money to fund their further travels. Pippa, the lovely lady who runs Leeways, is happy to help you find work if that's what you're after. The work is hard, but readily available, usually picking cherries or helping tend the grapevines. The residents are fairly friendly, but those there for the long haul tend to stay in their own circle.
Summary
If you need a cheap, basic place to stay during your visit to wine country, Leeways is a solid choice. The staff are very friendly and go out of their way to ask about your day and make sure you have what you need. Internet is available (for a price) and you can also hire a bike right at the hostel. Coin-operated laundry is out back in the shed. Once a week the crew makes a supermarket run so you can stock up on supplies easily.
The Location
The hostel is easy to find and clearly marked on the corner of Lansdowne Street. There's ample off-street parking available. While there is no public bus service in Blenheim, the town centre is only a short walk away down Hutcheson Street. There are two restaurants just down the street from the hostel -- a decent Italian restaurant and a pub serving the usual bar food. If you're going to visit the vineyards or work in one, you'll need a car or a sturdy set of cycling legs, as the town is somewhat sprawling.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Each of the rooms is assigned a different sea creature (dolphin, conch, oyster), though none have locks. Most of the rooms are on the second floor, and it can get a bit stuffy in the heat of the day. The dorms have two dresser units to store your belongings and a mirror. The beds are metal bunks and fairly sturdy. The sheets are crisp, clean, and in good condition.
There is a separate toilet on the second floor, with the showers on ground level. The showers are pretty basic. No stalls or anything to change in, and the curtain across the opening is about all the privacy you get. Water pressure is good and even at the end of the shower line there's still hot water.
Common Spaces
There are a few common areas around to hang out. The kitchen is good sized and well equipped with seating. There's a TV lounge with a large screen TV and fireplace. Out front there's a comfortable porch with furniture, though they request you not linger out there too late out of consideration for the bedrooms behind. There's also the "party shed" out back with a ping pong table and separate refrigerator. This is clearly the party room, and word on the street is that there can be some good ones during the summer season.
Most of the residents are here long term to work and save some money to fund their further travels. Pippa, the lovely lady who runs Leeways, is happy to help you find work if that's what you're after. The work is hard, but readily available, usually picking cherries or helping tend the grapevines. The residents are fairly friendly, but those there for the long haul tend to stay in their own circle.
Summary
If you need a cheap, basic place to stay during your visit to wine country, Leeways is a solid choice. The staff are very friendly and go out of their way to ask about your day and make sure you have what you need. Internet is available (for a price) and you can also hire a bike right at the hostel. Coin-operated laundry is out back in the shed. Once a week the crew makes a supermarket run so you can stock up on supplies easily.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
January 2009
Their Description
Leeways Backpackers Details
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Map
Location/Contact| Address | 33 Lansdowne Street, Blenheim, South Island, New Zealand |
| Location | We are situated a little out of town, opposite of Lansdowne Park. |
| Website | www.leewaysbackpackers.co.nr |
| Telephone | 03 579 2213 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
One of my first and the best It was almost too bad that this hostel was so good. It was one of the first hostels I stayed at during my travels through New Zealand and it set the bar really high for the rest of the trip. As stated previously, the staff was great and friendly, although Pippa and Matt were not there when I was, it was SJ and Byron. They were about to move on when I left, so who knows who's there now. Anyway, I stayed there for a few weeks and enjoyed hanging out with the other guests, weekly poker games, taking trips in the hostel van from grocery shopping to a country pub in this tiny town, and several awesome parties. Blenheim's small but Leeway's makes it fun. — Jeremy , American (2010-05-20) Excellent Hostel. The people made it what it was when I was there. I was there in 2006 and the hostel was great craic. I'm not sure if Pippa and Matt are still there but they made me feel comfortable. Big props to Pippa though. She was very motherly to everyone and you could tell she was going to miss us when we finally finished on the vineyards and went our separate ways. I met some really cool people there. Another plus about this hostel was the weekly supermarket run in the minibus since the town centre itself is a bit of a walk. — Rowan Murphy , Ireland (2009-08-14) A wonderful place! The lady, Pippa, is the best lady I ever known. She feels you to be comfortable. It is a really nice place and I have got a lot of good memories in there. I really loved Lewways backpacker. I'm no exaggerating. but it is the best in Blenhaim. — Alfredo Pinto , Chile (2009-05-11) Just great! Really nice place to stay. The people are helpful and the place is like a home. If you are wanting to work they will help you -- but mostly vineyard work which is not so good but Leeways makes your stay worth it. Love the parties in the shed. Pip and Matt, the managers, were great and we miss them so much. Go and see for yourself. — jackie , German (2008-07-11) Finally a hostel that feels like home! This is a large house that has been converted into a hostel. It has 7 bedrooms but it is not cramped at all. The owners have travelled the world themselves and know what it feels like to be away from home, therefore have thought of everything. There is two new bathrooms, which are kept spotless. The kitchen is also new and each drawer has a nice surprise in it, as the owners feel you should have every cooking utensil possible, so you can cook more than pasta! There is 2 lounges,one with DVD player and SKY and then the other is more a games room.
There is laundry facilities and the internet is only $2 per hour, which is a great find for any backpacker!The manager can also try and help to get you work, if that is why you have come to Bleheim, or will suggest things to do in the region. There is free local pick ups and drops offs, but town is only 10 mins walk down Hutcheson Street.
Each night there is something on, from pizza nights, to cinema trips to the essential, grocery shopping night, which is great for thoses with out their own car.
All in all this hostel is amazing and well worth a visit, as once you get there you will not want to leave. — nikki , United Kingdom (2005-02-25)