LyLo Queenstown

The location is amazing and the staff are friendly, but the place was very unclean. We stayed six nights, and our room bin was never emptied. It was overflowing when I left. The showers were mouldy and dirty, and two of the men’s toilet cubicles had no toilet paper for two days in a row. The drinks in the upstairs social space also weren’t working for two days. I liked the pod layout, with its big, private bunks, but the plugs sat too close to the wall for my adapter, so I couldn’t charge anything. It was also annoying that I couldn’t charge devices during the day, since you need your room key for power and also to get into the room.

I stayed in an 8 pod room and really enjoyed it. The pods have power points for charging devices, lockers under the bed for valuables, and roller blinds for privacy. The blinds don’t block all the light, though, so I kept waking up thinking it was morning. If light wakes you easily like it does me, an eye mask could help. The pod doors, lockers, and edges creak, so late arrivals make quite a bit of noise even when they try to be quiet. Still, I’d take the pods over a regular bunk room any day. I’m converted and would stay again. The place is warm and comfortable, with a cosy social space upstairs. The staff are friendly and helpful, and self check-in and check-out on the tablets by reception was quick and easy. If no staff are around, you can leave your key card there. It’s a great location, a short walk from the waterfront, lots of restaurants and shops, and the gondola just up the road.

The staff were great when one of our pods lost power. They moved us to a private room, which was much appreciated. The pods made for a lovely stay, and the rooftop bar's tap card system let you pour your own drinks, a really cool touch.

We loved staying here, and at their Auckland location too. It was cozier and cleaner than the other NZ hostels we tried, with good prices for both shared rooms and private spaces. Right in the middle of Queenstown, so we could walk to tour meeting spots and places to eat.