The Marion Hostel

The terrace was nice, and there were guitars in another common room, though it seemed empty and could perhaps serve as a second lounge. The kitchen and dining area didn’t feel great for socializing. Nearby small grocery shops and the convenient location made going out easy. I checked in late and missed the explanation of where things were, but worked it out. I didn’t get to try the free bikes. The beds were comfy, with curtains and outlets, and it was pretty quiet. There weren’t enough hooks, though: lower bunks had nowhere for towels, and there was only one hook per person. The big window had no curtain. Washrooms were clean. The kitchen was small but workable; the fridge was much too small, and the bin system meant there wasn’t a clear way to find an empty one when people left.

The hostel was clean and basically okay, but after a week I needed to move on because it wasn’t for me. I don’t really understand the high rating. It wasn’t awful, just overhyped in my opinion. It’s not especially cheap, particularly when I shared with nine others, and the location was okay. Wellington itself wasn’t the best city, either. What bothered me most was having nowhere to properly retreat and relax. There were three rooms called living rooms, but people were always watching films on the TVs or doing yoga. The only outdoor area was a small roof terrace used for smoking. The kitchen had good equipment but was far too small for the hostel, so cooking meant long waits or going out for expensive food. The rooms are spread across three floors, with lots of stairs and people walking them even at night. You can hear everything.

We spent three nights at The Marion Hostel and had an amazing time. Calvin, if I’ve got the name right, was kind and helpful. Free pancakes on Saturday and Sunday were a fantastic extra. Everything made the stay enjoyable and memorable. Sorry it took me so long to leave a comment. 🙂

This is one of the nicest hostels I’ve stayed in, with lovely people, facilities, staff, and service. There are discounts for some shops and the cable car. The location is good, though being close to Cuba Street means it can get a bit noisy sometimes.