Choice Backpackers is highly appreciated for its superb central location in Auckland's CBD, providing guests with easy access to popular tourist spots, shops, cafes and public transportation. The strategic placement and affordable rates make it an attractive option for travelers seeking value and convenience. The friendly and professional staff contribute significantly to the welcoming atmosphere and enhance the overall guest experience.
The rooms offer a mixed experience: while some guests praise the spaciousness and comfort, particularly those in higher floors offering stunning city views, other reviews highlight issues such as mold, musty smells, poor ventilation and noise due to thin walls. Cleanliness is another area with varied feedback. While daily cleaning efforts are noted and many areas are described as clean, several guests raised concerns about mold, cockroaches and dirty common areas. The kitchen and bathrooms, in particular, have been mentioned as needing greater attention.
Guests generally find the wifi reliable and fast, enhancing their stay, though occasional slow connections have been reported. The quality of the beds also receives mixed reviews; some describe them as comfortable and clean, while others criticize them for being squeaky, having thin mattresses and showing signs of wear and tear.
Overall, Choice Backpackers offers a budget-friendly accommodation option with a fantastic location and friendly staff, but there are notable inconsistencies in room quality, cleanliness and comfort that require attention to improve guests' experiences.
Categories
Cheap
AI-generatedLocated in Auckland, this backpackers hostel provides budget accommodation with basic amenities. It caters to travelers looking for affordable lodging.
Free Wi-Fi
3 Star
Sustainability Journey
Room Types
Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features air conditioning.
Bunk Bed in 8-Bed Female Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory has air conditioning.
Bed in 4-Bed Mixed Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory has air conditioning.
Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory RoomThis bed in dormitory features air conditioning.
Single RoomThe single room includes a shared bathroom equipped with a shower. Rooms on the upper floors are reachable by lift. The unit offers 1 bed.
Double RoomThe double room features air conditioning and a carpeted floor, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. Rooms on the upper floors are reachable by lift. The unit has 1 bed.
Twin RoomThe twin room offers air conditioning, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower. Rooms on the upper floors are reachable by lift.
Quadruple Room with Private BathroomThe quadruple room features air conditioning and a carpeted floor, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The quadruple room's kitchenette is available for cooking and storing food. Rooms on the upper floors are reachable by lift. The unit has 3 beds.
Guest Reviews
6.2
Rated
Review Summaries
Summarized by AI
Location
Choice Backpackers enjoys a genuinely superb location right in the heart of Auckland's CBD, making it a favorite among travelers for its convenience. Guests appreciate that everything they need is within walking distance, from popular tourist spots, galleries and theatres to shops, cafes and the vibrant Queen Street. The hostel's placement also provides easy access to public transportation, including buses, trains and ferries, which adds to the convenience for those wishing to explore the city. Many reviewers specifically highlighted the accessibility of the hostel to various city landmarks and events, underlining its strategic placement in downtown Auckland. The excellent central location combined with affordable rates makes Choice Backpackers a highly recommended option for travelers seeking both value and convenience in Auckland. Additionally, the friendly staff and comfortable amenities further enhance the overall positive experience at this well-situated hostel.
Rooms
Located right in the center of Auckland, Choice Backpackers offers both private rooms and dormitory options that seem to be a mixed bag in terms of guests' experiences. On the positive side, several guests appreciated the spaciousness of the rooms, which often had extra floor space not crowded with additional beds. Many praised the cleanliness and comfort of the double and queen-sized beds with some private rooms noted as newly renovated and comfortable. The views from the higher floors were particularly appealing, offering stunning perspectives of the city.
However, there are various concerns regarding the general state of the rooms. A recurring issue is the presence of mold and musty smells with some rooms appearing shabby and in need of renovations. Complaints about inadequate ventilation, unopenable windows and issues with regulating room temperatures—ranging from too hot to extremely cold—are prominent. The noise level due to thin walls also detracts from the comfort, as does the lack of storage space and hanging options in rooms. Additionally, the mismatch between room pictures advertised and the actual room conditions left some guests disappointed.
Overall, the hostel seems to offer a convenient location and the potential for comfortable stays, but it suffers from significant inconsistencies in room quality and maintenance.
Beds
The bed situation at Choice Backpackers seems to vary widely. Some guests found the beds to be comfortable and clean with bedding that met their expectations. The price and basic comfort of the beds were positively noted by a few, emphasizing the overall cleanliness despite the simplicity.
However, many reviews pointed out significant issues, including squeaky bed frames, thin and tired mattresses and pillows that were likened to sandbags. The bunk beds, often made of metal, were described as noisy and shaky, making them less than ideal for a good night's sleep. Some guests mentioned beds that were uncomfortably low, impacting the ease of use.
There were several concerning mentions of stained bedding, including duvets, mattresses and pillows, sometimes with a noticeable, unpleasant smell. The overall bedding was often minimal with some guests highlighting the absence of a top sheet and just a thin duvet provided.
While some found the beds okay for a short one-night stay, others clearly experienced discomfort due to the quality and maintenance issues, including bedbugs and the inconvenience of having to strip the beds themselves. Furthermore, the issue of no power outlets near beds was noted, adding to the inconvenience.
In summary, the bed quality at Choice Backpackers is hit or miss; while some found them to be cheap and comfy, many others reported significant drawbacks that could disrupt a good night's rest.
Cleanliness
Choice Backpackers has received a mix of reviews regarding the cleanliness of its facilities. On the positive side, daily cleaning efforts are commendable with many guests appreciating the overall clean rooms, clean bedding and a perfect location. Some even described the property as clean and tidy, paired with friendly and cool people staying there. Clean bathrooms and basic but clean rooms also made it on the list of strengths.
However, a considerable number of guests found cleanliness to be lacking. Issues such as mold in showers and rooms, frequent sightings of cockroaches, smelly carpets and a general lack of cleanliness in common areas, kitchens and bathrooms were repeatedly mentioned. Many noted an unpleasant concentration of odors in rooms and described the facility as old and unclean. Comments about unclean bathrooms, dirty showers and messy kitchens were prevalent. Many reviews cited problems with ventilation, damp air, dirty marks on sheets and condensation buildup.
Furthermore, some guests pointed out thin walls leading to noise issues and noted that common areas were too small for the number of people, which could contribute to the cleanliness issues. Overall, while some aspects of cleanliness at Choice Backpackers are appreciated, significant improvements are necessary to address the recurring problems highlighted by guests.
Staff
At Choice Backpackers, the staff consistently receive high praise from guests. The team is often described as friendly, helpful and welcoming, fostering an inviting atmosphere right from check-in. Notably, James and Sarfi stood out for their exceptional friendliness and assistance. Many appreciate the professionalism and attentiveness of the reception staff, who are cited for making stays smoother and providing detailed instructions for late arrivals.
Despite these overwhelmingly positive interactions, a few guests noted occasional instances of unfriendliness among some staff members. However, the positive feedback significantly outweighs these rare occurrences. The shared lounge and other common areas are kept clean and tidy, contributing to a pleasant environment. Guests also highlight the staff’s helpfulness in navigating the city’s logistics and their overall politeness and professionalism. In sum, the majority of interactions with the staff at Choice Backpackers enhance the value and enjoyability of the stay.
Wi-Fi
Choice Backpackers offers a generally reliable internet experience with many guests noting the availability of good to fast wifi. The wifi signal is often described as strong and provides a multifrequency networked spectrum. While the free wifi has been praised for being excellent and facilitating an easy and friendly check-in, there are occasional mentions of it being slow or not working properly. However, for the most part, guests have experienced good to great wifi performance.
3 Star
Choice Backpackers offers budget-friendly accommodations with basic rooms featuring essential amenities. Guests can access shared bathrooms on each floor via a lift. The facilities include kitchen utensils, though the kitchen and dining areas require significant cleaning and maintenance. However, other aspects such as the rooms and air conditioning also call for proper upkeep and renovation to meet a higher standard. Some areas of the hotel are more maintained and secure, but overall, the establishment reflects an older style with worn facilities. Clean sheets are provided, though the general cleanliness of the rooms varies. The accommodations may not meet the expectations for a three-star rating, highlighting the need for improvements in equipment and hygiene.
FAQ
No, Choice Backpackers doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Choice Backpackers.
No, Choice Backpackers doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Choice Backpackers.
