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Empire Hotel Backpackers

Oamaru, South Island, New Zealand

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Arrival Date:   Nights:  People: 
Address
13-15 Thames Street, Oamaru   Map
Price
dorm $23, twin $27, double $27, single$33 (same price all year) Check Current Prices by Date Here
Location/Contact
Details
Their Description

Features

  • Kitchen
  • Gameroom
  • Lounge / Common space
  • Pool Table
  • TV
  • Movie Library/Rental
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Bike Rental
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
  • Phones (public or in room)
 
The Hostelz.com Review
The Empire Hotel, once a grand old hotel in its day has now been converted into a backpacker. The remnants of the hotel are seen in the red and gold carpets in the hallways, the wide stairways and the wide hallways. But aside from these hints of days gone by for this facility, the current use is much more evident.

There are two well stocked kitchens. A sitting lounge on the second floor next to one kitchen is also the home of two free internet terminals. Downstairs a TV lounge is walled on one side by bay windows out to the street and stocked with various free movies. An unfinished basement room is occupied by a pool table and piano that are free for guest use. The multiple common areas give guests room to spread out and enjoy the facility. The bathrooms seem to have recently been remodeled and in very nice condition and well stocked.

While technically the Empire Hotel is 3 blocks down Thames Street from the bus stop, they are longer blocks and it is almost a kilometer from the bus stop to the hostel. On your way you will pass a grocery market, shops and restaurants. The hostel staff will also provide you a map of the area with directions to get to locales to spy on the blue and yellow penguins.

Empire is a multifaceted facility offering quiet, social or doorstep to sightseeing- whatever your mood.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review


Your Comments
This is an open forum, and unlike other hostel guide websites, we don't censor out the negative comments.
We do not validate the legitimacy of comments posted on this site—so take what you read here with a grain of salt.
Comment by Gillian, Belfast
May 2007
Right in town so close to blue penguins, bars. Facilities were fine but not much of an atmosphere when I was there. Free internet was great but there was, unsurprisingly, always a queue!
Comment by Glenda, UK
March 2007
I have just finished my trip around the South Island and have to write and congratulate the Empire on being the best accommodation I had.The location was great being close to the old Victorian part of the town and to the cute penguins.The free internet was great and the clean rooms and bathrooms were fantastic.The managers were really friendly and helpful and the huge carpark at the back of the hotel was a bonus. I would love to come back in November for the Victorian weekend and to see the penguins again.
Comment by Steele and Julia
May 2006
We had a good stay and liked it so much we decided to stay in your beds all morning and missed all the penguins coming in! One of the best backpackers we have stayed at in New Zealand.
Have you visited this hostel? Post your comments here.

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