Verandahs Parkside Lodge - Hostel

A lovely outdoor area by the park, with a view, and a great base for seeing Auckland. There are shops and a bus stop nearby, and K-road is an easy walk. I stayed in a single room, and it was one of the best hostels I've tried. The kitchen was clean, cosy, and well equipped, the lounge was relaxed, and I’d highly recommend it.

The rooms were clean and tidy, and there was a big kitchen and common area. It’s a beautiful place just outside downtown Auckland, within walking distance of shops, cafes, and nightlife. When we arrived on an early international flight, they kindly kept our bags until check-in so we could go explore. A good fit for solo backpackers or families with older teens. We’ll stay again.

The atmosphere was good enough that I stayed here both when I first arrived in NZ and again when I was leaving. The kitchen is fantastic, and I loved the shared “free” table where people leave things they don't need.

I loved the historic character of the buildings, and everything felt peaceful and open. The Verandahs is made up of two historic buildings with 12-foot ceilings, and from our deck we could see the park and SkyTower. Our room was clean and comfortable, with a queen and a single bed that worked well for our family and older teenager. Some rooms have two or three single beds, which seems more manageable than sharing a bunk room with five to seven others. The shared kitchen was well stocked with cooking and eating gear. The frying pans were in good shape, unlike the worn, chipped ones I've found at some hostels. There were two big dining tables, plus a patio table on the lawn. The shared fridges and pantry had space for food, and labels were provided for marking your own items. Just beyond the kitchen, the lounge had comfortable big couches and chairs. The washrooms were kept clean, cleaner than any hostel washrooms we've used and even cleaner than some full hotels. The grounds include a large garden, and the property backs onto one of Auckland's oldest city parks, a nice place for a walk while still being in town. The location made getting around simple. An excellent grocery store is about a block and a half away, and Ponsonby has several blocks of restaurants, from fancy spots to little hole-in-the-wall places, as well as clubs, bars, and other businesses like a serving hand book shop. Buses made it easy to reach Auckland Central, and the airport was decently accessible by bus and train. We really enjoyed our stay and would definitely come back for accommodation in Auckland.