Haka House Aoraki Mt Cook

The noise was the main drawback. The dorm walls are thin, and at 11:30pm I had to ask people in the next room to talk more quietly. Bedroom doors also slam loudly and rattle the whole building. Otherwise, this is one of the best Haka houses I’ve stayed in so far. The rooms were comfortable, with plenty of bag space and a large locker for each dorm guest. There were good places to relax and eat, outdoor picnic benches, and a big kitchen with plenty of room and equipment. Reception staff were friendly and helpful, including when they found my toothbrush and moved it for me. Bathrooms were clean and plentiful, and I appreciated the hairdryer. There was also a good amount of parking.

The free sauna was a great surprise, and reception can turn it on outside opening hours if you ask. I came alone and stayed in a shared dorm. It’s a fairly small hostel, which I liked because it wasn’t crowded. The facilities were amazing: clean bathrooms with a hairdryer, a TV room with bean bags, outdoor space, relaxing lounge areas, a large kitchen with living and dining areas, and a drying room for coats and shoes. The mountain views were lovely, and it was comfortable indoors at night. People were considerate and quiet, with plenty of parking outside. The kitchen stayed clean because guests tidied up after themselves, and the rooms were clean and tidy, too. They also let me check in late. The only thing that didn’t work well for me was the locker storage in the rooms. Most of the lockers were already in use, so I left my bag out and kept it padlocked.

The hostel’s location, facilities, and friendly, helpful staff are all excellent. There’s lots of parking, a pleasant terrace, a very well-equipped and exceptionally clean kitchen, and guests were generally tidy and respectful. Laundry was available at a very reasonable price. But at NZD 200 per person per night for an 8-bed dorm in high season, the value for money just doesn’t add up, so I’m giving it three stars. A few things felt especially off at that price. At checkout, I had to strip my own bed. It’s not a huge deal, but I’ve stayed in hostels in New Zealand at a quarter of the cost where that wasn’t expected. In the women’s bathrooms, only one toilet had a brush, and the others didn’t look great. The dorms also had a strong smell from guests bringing sweaty hiking clothes and boots into the rooms. Clear rules about keeping gear and shoes in the existing drying room would help. Sound insulation wasn’t good either, though free earplugs were provided, and they’re honestly very necessary. There’s no supermarket in town, and the nearest one is about 45 minutes away, so groceries really need to be bought in advance. The hostel has a snack and coffee vending machine, but no real shopping options. Nearby restaurants are available, but the choice is mostly pizza, burgers, and greasy food. They’re quite expensive and not always well rated.

There’s a laundry room where you can pay by credit card, plus a drying room for clothes and hiking gear, which was very convenient. The large windows give lovely mountain views, and the staff work hard to keep everything spotless. The kitchen was clean and fully equipped, and the bathrooms were well maintained with plenty of hot water. They also rent bicycles. Soundproofing could be better. You can hear other guests closing their doors, so light sleepers may want earplugs. I slept very well myself.