Sir Cedrics Tahuna Pod Hostel

The location’s handy, just a three-minute walk from the town centre, and the lounge and kitchen have nice mountain views. My room also had plenty of storage, enough for my large suitcase in the assigned locker. The Welsh receptionist welcomed me warmly, then showed me around during check-in. I appreciated that, since hostels don’t often take the time to do that these days. Great work by the Tahuna team.

The rooms felt a bit cramped, though the pods and beds were nice. From outside the hostel looks pretty ugly, but inside it’s perfectly fine. The shower rooms and toilets were clean, and there were plenty of them. Parking made things much easier, but it costs NZD 20 a night. There aren’t many spaces, so reserve one ahead of time.

I had a great sleep here. The beds were really comfortable, and the pods gave me complete privacy. My room was the four-queen-pod option with a kitchenette and balcony, which they also call the penthouse. It was spacious and had everything needed. Though it’s a social hostel, it was very quiet, and the common area was almost empty during the day while everyone was out exploring Queenstown. That suited me as a solo traveller. The hostel is just a block from the city centre. The receptionist was welcoming, explained what I needed to know, and showed me around the facilities and to my room before giving me the key. Kudos to the whole Tahuna team for five-star service.

Handy spot for seeing town, with just about every notable shop within four blocks. The pod bed was decent, with a shelf above it for belongings and a plug. The shower had strong pressure and properly hot water. Parking is available for $20 a night. There’s also a city car park a block away, free from 6 pm to 8 am, then $3.50 an hour during the day.