I'm torn between giving an average review for this hostel or being frank about my feelings for this hostel. The reason for that is that I know I am going to want to come back here many times, and I don't want it to be fully booked all the time.
First, the bad stuff about this hostel. It is a 16 km drive away from the nearest shops, which can be annoying if you find yourself out of milk. Also, like the rest of the west coast, there is an abundance of sand flies so do take lots of insect repellent. The petrol in nearby Ross was the most expensive we found in our tour of the South Island. You will be much better off filling up at Hokitika 25 km north of Ross, or at Fox Glacier to the south.
Apart from that, everything else about this hostel is fantastic. When the two church congregations of Ross merged, the redundant church building was sold and moved to its present location. It has then been lovingly restored and extended to become the best hostel I have ever stayed in. Photographs of its relocation and conversion are available at the hostel itself for anyone interested in seeing them.
It has two rooms of dorm beds, two double rooms, two twin rooms, and a double with en-suite. These are all spotlessly clean with new furniture provided. All the rooms are located upstairs except for the double with en-suite.
The bathrooms have to be seen to believed. These have modern shower heads and toilets, but the shower box sides are made out of corrugated iron (see the pictures) – very cool.
The kitchen is large and spacious with gas stove hubs, modern fridge, a large boiler and an enormous old-style oven.
The rest of downstairs is taken up with the eating area, a free-to-use pool-table which is in front of a large fireplace, stereo system, and comfortable seating area for reading in the old church altar area. There is no TV, but it is not missed. The stained-glass windows also add to the atmosphere.
Outside, the Waitaha river runs past, and there is also space available for tents ($10 pp), as well as a picnic area. The hostel is very quiet for sleeping, except when it rains on the corrugated iron roof, but that's kind of fun too.
Paul, the proprietor, is a really friendly guy and happy to chat about the conversion from church to hostel. The hostel is reasonably easy to find, and well sign-posted, with the bridge over the Waitaha river just north of the hostel.
The backpackers is a member of BBH (www.bbh.co.nz), and the beds are discounted by 10% if you are a member of BBH. Membership is probably worth getting if you are staying in 5 or more hostels affiliated with BBH during your stay in New Zealand.
I can't recommend this hostel enough. If you stay here you are very unlikely to be disappointed. We certainly will be back as soon as possible.
— Exklusive Hostelz.com Übersicht
May 2005
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