The Hostelz.com Review
Sequoia Lodge Backpackers is a home away from home -- a little place with lots of atmosphere and a very comfy interior.
The Location
It's very easy to find, right at the huge roundabout in the centre of the city where the big sequoia trees are, hence the name. There is also plenty of free parking in the parking lot across the street and a few spots on the premises. For those taking the ferry it's either a fifteen-minute stroll or you can take the free shuttle bus from the hostel (you need to sign up in advance). The main street of town with all the restaurants, shops, and the big supermarket are only a few minutes walk away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorms are rather smallish with generally three bunks in each. The beds are ok, but the top bunks don't have any bars or rails. A good thing is that there is a little shelf for each top bunk, so you have some space to put an alarm. Additionally, each room has one table. Unfortunately there are no security lockers and the windows (all ground-level rooms) almost have to be kept open to not let the rooms get too stuffy, so security might be an issue. The rooms are generally clean. Bathrooms aren't exactly plentiful, so queues do occur in the morning. Bathrooms are shared and on the small side. Cleaning could happen more often, but it's not gross. Showers offer enough space to change inside.
Common Spaces
The common area is really nice. There is a cozy living area close to the dorms with plenty of daylight. It's furnished with a variety of couches, armchairs, chairs, and tables. Next to it is the big kitchen with a double-sided, central stove that is the perfect place to meet new people over cooking a meal. There are also some more tables and chairs in a corner of the kitchen. the kitchen and it's plenty utensils are very clean. There is storage space in shelves and in fridges for the guests. The nicest thing though is the daily free chocolate pudding, which is served every day at 8 p.m. There is also a tiny in house cinema, where a movie is shown several times daily. Next to this is another little room with two couches and two computers on desks with chairs for internet use. Wi-Fi vouchers can be bought at the reception.
Summary
It's a really lovely place that feels just like home, living together as one big family.
The Location
It's very easy to find, right at the huge roundabout in the centre of the city where the big sequoia trees are, hence the name. There is also plenty of free parking in the parking lot across the street and a few spots on the premises. For those taking the ferry it's either a fifteen-minute stroll or you can take the free shuttle bus from the hostel (you need to sign up in advance). The main street of town with all the restaurants, shops, and the big supermarket are only a few minutes walk away.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorms are rather smallish with generally three bunks in each. The beds are ok, but the top bunks don't have any bars or rails. A good thing is that there is a little shelf for each top bunk, so you have some space to put an alarm. Additionally, each room has one table. Unfortunately there are no security lockers and the windows (all ground-level rooms) almost have to be kept open to not let the rooms get too stuffy, so security might be an issue. The rooms are generally clean. Bathrooms aren't exactly plentiful, so queues do occur in the morning. Bathrooms are shared and on the small side. Cleaning could happen more often, but it's not gross. Showers offer enough space to change inside.
Common Spaces
The common area is really nice. There is a cozy living area close to the dorms with plenty of daylight. It's furnished with a variety of couches, armchairs, chairs, and tables. Next to it is the big kitchen with a double-sided, central stove that is the perfect place to meet new people over cooking a meal. There are also some more tables and chairs in a corner of the kitchen. the kitchen and it's plenty utensils are very clean. There is storage space in shelves and in fridges for the guests. The nicest thing though is the daily free chocolate pudding, which is served every day at 8 p.m. There is also a tiny in house cinema, where a movie is shown several times daily. Next to this is another little room with two couches and two computers on desks with chairs for internet use. Wi-Fi vouchers can be bought at the reception.
Summary
It's a really lovely place that feels just like home, living together as one big family.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
September 2011
Their Description
Sequoia Lodge Backpackers Details
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Sequoia Lodge Backpackers Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Unclean/Uncomfortable stay Very Disappointed we booked a double room without en-suite and arrived only to find the room was at the back of the laundry so was not quiet at all and also had a connecting door in the room which had a lock on it but connected to the next rooms toilet -- Was not hygienic or what we paid for at all! Bedside table was broken and had a tea towel covering this, spiders and cobwebs were all through out the room along with carpet which hadn't been vacuumed in months. Bathroom facilities were horrendous with blood on toilet seat. Not Happy at all and definitely not worth what we paid for. — Anonymous (2010-04-05) Best in the Country Great hostel -- having traveled my own country hosteling top to bottom, east to west, Sequoia was easily the best I encountered. Hosts go out of their way to make you feel comfortable, and couldn't be more helpful with information/activities and the transfer down to the Ferry is fantastic. Room was spotless, comfortable -- and the chocolate pudding just rounds the whole place out. Even if Picton's not on your itinerary, it's a great town and this hostel makes the trip worthwhile. — Nick , New Zealand (2009-11-14) This is a great hostel. It is ten minutes from the town centre but they collect from the ferry and it is on the intercity route so you can get dropped off right outside. The manager Jilian was very helpful and the hot tub is fab! It was very clean and the individual reading lights were great. — Gillian , Belfast (2007-05-23) First place I've rated five stars, and indeed one of my favourite hostels in the world! Staff were unbelievably friendly, and the hostel just immediately felt like "home" the minute I walked in. Free pickups from the ferry made getting to and from a breeze. The soundproof TV room with its selection of hundreds of DVDs was a great way to recover from some hiking in the area and chill out on a rainy day. The owner's cat was really friendly, too. The dorms were comfy, cozy, with spotless en-suite facilities. Stay here and feel like family! — Sarah (2006-07-09) This place was clean, comfortable, and had a nice kitchen and TV room/lounge. The bathroom was a bit crowded. I didn't see any soup when I was there, but they brought out fresh warm (free) bread in the morning. The reading lights were also a nice feature. — Jeremy (2005-01-13) This hostel was incredibly friendly, clean, accommodating and comfortable. This was my favourite of all the hostels I stayed at in New Zealand. — Nadine (2004-11-01) Lovely hostel. We only stayed there for a night, but wished we could have stayed longer. They had excellent facilities, a cozy TV room, and friendly staff. What more could you want? Oh yeah--you get free soup and freshly baked bread in the evening; if that doesn't tempt you then nothing will! — Jo and Steve (2004-08-17) I stayed here for a week it was so good, the owners were really friendly, and the best part was they brought out free soup EVERY NIGHT with freshly baked bread! It was truly amazing!! — Chris B (2004-01-31) I stayed in this hostel in 2002 and even though it was over a year ago it is still the best hostel I have ever stayed in. — Clair (2003-11-23)