YWCA Auckland

There’s a huge shared kitchen, plus TV rooms and study rooms. Each small room has what you need, including a little fridge, and they lend you a basket of kitchen utensils and cookware when you arrive, so you don’t have to buy everything straight away. How cool is that? The YWCA has become my new home in NZ. I first stayed there on holiday last year, and now I’m studying and living there long term. It’s in the CBD, close to the AUT campus in the city. Good accommodation for short or long stays, with great service and location.

I felt really safe here. The private room was lovely and had a mini fridge, and the bathrooms and showers were clean. There’s also a big shared kitchen, and the staff were friendly and helpful. It is quite expensive, though longer stays might be subsidised.

I’d heard about hostel life all my life but had never tried it, and YWCA on Vincent Street was a good place to get that experience. It’s right in central Auckland, handy for city workplaces and popular universities. The rooms are cosy, with shared kitchens, bathrooms and toilets. The staff and service were great. I lived long term on the exclusive 6th floor, which has two kitchens just for residents on that floor. A lot of people seem to prefer it for that reason. I liked my wardrobe because it held all my clothes and belongings, but the shared toilets and bathrooms brought my rating down to four stars. If you’re very particular about cleanliness, the toilets may disappoint you sometimes. Even when cleaners had done their job, other residents didn’t always think of the next person, and that happened several times despite posted cleaning instructions and occasional feedback notes. I brought my own sanitising products and cleaned the bathroom anyway for nearly seven months. I treated it as community service, and it worked fine. With Covid 19 still uncertain, being cautious felt sensible. If you’re staying a long time, mind your own business, avoid gossip, and be kind to residents and staff.

The grounds are well secured from outside, and I felt very safe here. The staff are warm and welcoming, and they go out of their way to make you feel at home. That would be especially nice if you’re feeling homesick. I’d definitely choose this hostel if travelling alone.