YMCA Christchurch is in the centre of the city, yet it is just across the road from Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens, Christchurch’s largest area of inner-city open space. It is also across the road from the Arts Centre with its craft shops, cafes, theatres, and markets, and only ten minutes’ walk from intercity and local bus stations.
The hostel maintains a high standard of cleanliness. The dorms have individual lockers for guests to securely store valuables. Guests need to provide their own bedding, or hire it from reception, although pillows, mattresses, and bottom sheets are provided.
The only drawback is that there is no kitchen for guests to use. Meals are available in the hostel’s dining room on the ground floor, but meal service may be limited during the Christmas holiday break. There is also a Robert Harris cafe on the ground floor.
For those who like sports and fitness, there is a gym and climbing wall on-site, as well as squash courts.
The hostel is open to both men and women, and membership of the YMCA is not required. Rooms range from the dorm rooms described above to deluxe motel-style rooms. There is twenty-four-hour staffing for late-night arrivals.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
April 2006
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