The Customhouse

I only needed a last-minute bed after everything else in town was booked, and they had a room when I walked in. The owner was checking people in and I spotted him cleaning rooms early the next morning. He seems like a hardworking guy who really cares about the place, though I don't know if anyone else works there. The hostel is clean and right by the water. My bed was very comfortable, and the pod had a shelf and a little fan that helped on a warm night. I also loved having a sink in the room. There's lots of shared space, including a TV area, a big kitchen table, upstairs chairs, pool and table tennis. I was there for just one night, but I'd come back. The fish and chips next door are worth a try. Probably the best hostel I've stayed at in NZ so far. And I don't think I've ever slept nine hours straight in a hostel, so that alone gets five stars.

The harbour setting was a real plus for me, with lovely sunset views. It's a little outside the city centre where the other hostels are, but that wasn't much of a problem with a car. There are free things to do, including pool, table tennis and a movie room. The rooms were clean, though the kitchen felt a bit small. Good value, with daily and weekly rates available. I'd stay again.

The bathroom areas had plenty of cobwebs, and the overall condition left me feeling this was more of a health hazard than somewhere to relax. It looks outdated and poorly run, and I wouldn't be surprised if the building started falling apart. I'm honestly surprised Kiwi Experience lets people stay here. I was only there one night, and was glad it wasn't longer. The host seemed unsure how to run a business, let alone a hostel. My bed had no ladder, so I had to climb over someone else's bed. The kitchen was tiny and couldn't fit more than four guests at once. It's a poor location too, about a 20-minute walk to the city centre. Unless you like seagull droppings and the smell of a John Dory right outside, it isn't ideal.

The main issue was how dirty some parts of the kitchen and bathroom looked. There was grease and grime on the kitchen walls, appliances and fridge window, mildew or mould across the bathroom ceiling, and more filth collected in corners. The showers and kitchen also need proper ventilation that isn't blocked or dirty. A regular cleaning schedule for those corners could fix a lot of it. Other upkeep was lacking too. The soap and dishwashing liquid ran out, soap dispensers were often broken, and half-folded laundry sat in odd places at 6pm. The bedding was okay, but the mismatched colours added to the scruffy feel. They used beach towels as bathmats. Being out of the way was unfortunate, though not a deal breaker on its own. There were some good points: it was $5 cheaper than anywhere else in town, the manager was laid-back and likeable, and the place was spacious with unusual decor. I really wanted to like it, but the disorganization and poor maintenance were hard to get past. I couldn't find a place in Nelson because of Bay Dreams, and when I called I was surprised they had plenty of beds. I soon understood why. I hope they clean things up, but for now I'd pay the extra $5 and stay elsewhere.