Tuatara Lodge - Hostel

The bathrooms were bad, the showers flooded, and the cleaners were rude and moved our things without putting them back. Management was never around, and there wasn't a drinking area to socialise in. When we arrived, we had to get our key card from the main bar, where the staff were super rude and acted as if we were bothering them. On Saturday at 8pm, a few of us in the dorm had 2-3 drinks, played cards, and kept our music quiet. We were respectful. We left after 20 minutes to go to a rooftop bar. When we came back, centre management had taken all our alcohol. We had to check out in the morning, but no one was there, so we couldn't get it back. The hostel sign said drinking was permitted if you respected others, which we did. After we left, they charged the four of us $160. The lady was so rude about it and treated us like trash. They don't care about the people staying there. I wouldn't recommend it. Go support another business that deserves it.

The location was good, and there's a restaurant downstairs that makes good pizza. The nightly price was reasonable too. Hallways were clean, with a few couches, and the rooms had space and big windows. One of the girls at check-in was really kind and welcoming. The kitchen is big, but had only 6 forks and 11 knives, and most of the pans were burnt. During our 6-day stay neither sink had cold water. The small showers left water all over the floor outside, some beds were really noisy, and you could easily hear neighbours through the thin walls. The loud alarm for doors that aren't properly closed is very annoying and should be removed. The older man at the restaurant didn't seem keen to talk. He only made gestures, maybe I'm dog, I don't know?

We were staying at the accommodation and went to the bar for a quick drink before bed. My partner asked for one glass of tap white wine, a sauvignon blanc, thinking it would be the cheapest option. The barman said nothing and charged us $28 for it. In an update, I saw they were trying to justify overcharging my partner by saying they charged for two glasses, but we only had ONE glass of wine!

The service was kind, but the bar downstairs was very, very loud. Who thought putting a hostel over a party spot was a good idea? Some areas were nasty, and everything looked old and overused. There was no shower shelf, so your stuff had to sit on the wet floor, and there was no soap in the toilet.