The Old Countryhouse

The place has a great vibe, a good location, a cute kitty, and lovely fellow guests. But watch out for the manager’s after-hours directions, which weren’t clear to us. We were charged $30 for using showers we were told we weren’t supposed to use. I wonder whether she charges people extra for leaving the kitchen dirty after cooking. We wanted to leave our bags in the storage room, but the manager arrived and rudely said she’d close it at 2:00 instead of 4:00 PM, as the sign on the door said. It’s a shame our great Christchurch trip ended like this.

The beds were quite uncomfortable and springy, but I still really enjoyed this hostel and thought it was great value. The design, with separate houses and lots of grassy space, was lovely. There’s parking at the hostel, and plenty of street parking if those spots are full. Security was good, with card access to the building and each room, plus a safe for everyone in the room. Each bed has two USB plugs and two outlets. The kitchen, toilets, and showers were impressively clean; each shower is separate, so you have your own space. And the staff were cool and relaxed, thanks!

The hot tub and sauna really make this place, and there are lots of grassy spots around the hostel too. It feels so welcoming, and I’d say it’s the best hostel in Christchurch. The bus stop is right across the street, with a good bar, Bridie’s, just a minute’s walk away. Worth the money, and I’d recommend it 100%!

I felt at home here. The hosts were friendly and helpful, whether I wanted to plan my day or just have a chat. The facilities were spacious and well looked after, and the secure lockers for valuables were a nice touch. I didn’t use one because only guests could access the property, so I didn’t feel I needed to, but it was good that they were available to make people feel safer. The mattresses weren’t the most comfortable, and that’s about my only complaint. Highly recommended.