Freemans Backpackers Lodge - Hostel

Location: 65 Wellington Street, Auckland, NZ

Star Rating: 2 Stars

Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 02:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Free WiFi
• Garden
• Luggage storage
• Designated smoking area
• Picnic area
• Library
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Tours/ticket assistance
• Free self parking
• Computer station

Rooms Available

• Small Bunk Room

  1 Twin Bunk Bed

  22 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Premium bedding

  Bathroom - Detached private bathroom, shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Premium bedding
  • Free WiFi
  • Private bathroom (not in room)
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • No housekeeping

• Twin Room

  2 Twin Beds

  22 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Premium bedding

  Bathroom - Detached private bathroom, shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Premium bedding
  • Free WiFi
  • Private bathroom (not in room)
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • No housekeeping

• Double Room

  1 Double Bed

  32 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Premium bedding

  Bathroom - Detached private bathroom, shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Premium bedding
  • Free WiFi
  • Private bathroom (not in room)
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • No housekeeping

• Family Room

  1 Double Bed and 2 Twin Beds

  32 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Premium bedding

  Bathroom - Detached private bathroom, shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • TV
  • Premium bedding
  • Free WiFi
  • Private bathroom (not in room)
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • No housekeeping

• Shared Dormitory (6 Beds)

  1 Twin Bed

  54 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Refrigerator and shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Premium bedding

  Bathroom - Detached private bathroom, shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Premium bedding
  • Free WiFi
  • Private bathroom (not in room)
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • No housekeeping

• Single Room

  1 Twin Bed

  22 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Shared/communal kitchen access

  Sleep - Premium bedding

  Bathroom - Detached private bathroom, shower, towels, and a hair dryer (on request)

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Premium bedding
  • Free WiFi
  • Private bathroom (not in room)
  • Shared/communal kitchen access
  • No housekeeping

Guest Reviews

• William (8/5): - Very handy location and great place to sleep. Bed was firm but ok. Not the cleanest place and could do with a freshen up but that would increase the price I’m sure. I’d happily stay here again.
• Mary (2/5): - False advertising. Rude staff. Beds with one small blanket in winter. Old building and freezing cold-no insulation. Bathroom tap didn't turn on. Booked for 3 nights, thinking it had a private bathroom as advertised. Upon check in found out no room had private bathroom. All shared. Refused to refund me any money. Even after showing them the advertisement online. Didn't stay and booked elsewhere. Only parking available is pay and display down the road that is more expensive than the room itself.
• Verified traveler (6/5): - Not once did we see the staff. We arrived at 3pm and had to check in via the phone at the door. Property is quite dated but useable. Kitchen is tiny. Parking is street parking and you have to move your vechicle every 2hrs between 10am-6pm. If you want a basic room at a good location then this is it but don't expect much more
• Janelle (8/5): - Cheap and cheerful. Nothing amazing but enough to get by on.
• Kaybix Holdings (6/5): smelly - Stinky
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Property was ok but just other people coughing and that was disturbing our sleep
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Great friendly staff, comfortable environment, enjoyed the staff and would recommend to others
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Quiet location, excellent wifi signal, clean rooms. The on-site manager Steve went out of his way to help me when I needed to contact someone regarding car trouble. Free parking means free 2hr street parking. After 6pm it's free until 10 am the next day.
• Matthew (2/5): Run down and no good - This place is in a bad state. One of the worst places we have stayed and we have travelled to many places around the world. The cleanliness is atrocious - for one example the same "floor towels" in the showers were scrunched up and soaking for the whole 3 days that we were there (I DARE you to step on it). One previous review mentioned something about the blankets smelling like they hadn't been cleaned for a long time - we made the mistake to also smell them. I would advise against this (we used some blankets we had brought with us). There is no check in desk, so no-one there to greet you or to help out in any way. Only a phone in the corridor for you to speak with... someone. There is an "office", which was closed for most of the time that we were there. But the people that came out of there appeared to be cleaners/guests possibly staying rent free. Some people made a curry on the first night and left the kitchen in a complete state - dirty dishes and pots everywhere. And the kitchen wasn't adequately cleaned for our whole stay. Some of the windows are broken, and there are holes in various walls. The immediate area is empty, but it isn't too far from shops etc (but be prepared to walk at least 20 mins). The house itself is a nice old building, with a great garden. The sad thing is that with a bit of love, this could be a very nice place. But I feel it has been neglected for many years. Overall, do yourself a favour and look elsewhere.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Standard motel - Motel was comfortable and the staff member was welcoming and kind to show me around the motel on check in. However, website stated ammenities were provided. Had to go ask for the towels and there was no soap, which is fine but then I hadn’t packed with any. Room was comfortable and as expected but, the room smelt of weed so had to keep the window open
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Good place to stay near the Auckland centre (10 minutes from Queen St)! Very friendly and helpful staff, good facilities. I had a nice stay and if I return Auckland I sure check first for this accommodation!
• Kitty (6/5): Ok - Ok but staff ride and bed not made probley sheets came off otherwise clean room clean facilities nice shower
• Mirza (4/5): Not that good at the price - Very poor value for money. I know it's a cheap youth hostel, but I paid a premium for a private room expecting a few basic amenities. However, the room lacked air conditioning, a writing desk, sink, refrigerator, TV, phone, towels/toiletries, coffee machines, safe, etc., all of which can be found in accommodations at similar prices. Kitchen was in poor condition with dirty dishes left in the sink. Showers and toilets were reasonably clean, but as mentioned, no soap, shampoo, or towels were provided. The water drained slowly, and the bathmats were filthy (and for some reason, hung from the towel rails). Staff were friendly but rarely present. They initially balked when I asked to make a phone call to Wellington for an emergency matter, but then relented. If you stay at this place, pay no more than the cheapest shared accommodation rate. Paying for a single/double room at market rates for this level of service isn't worth it.
• Theresa (8/5): - G
• Verified traveler (6/5): It was not great - The kitchen always had a gross smell, plus cheese left out for days and ants in the sugar. Walls were sticky in our bedroom. Carpets were badly stained. Each night there was a different random person sleeping on the living room couches.
• Verified traveler (6/5): - Spent very little time there due to commitments so not much to say!
• Verified traveler (4/5): - Toilet leaking over floor. 2 stained towels left on floor- to mop up sewage?. No signs -shower drain blocked as well. Run down and unclean
• Jonathan (2/5): Don't stay unless young and desparate. - I did not stay. I got there and was "checked in" via the intercom. I took one look at my room (the size of a prison cell with a metal cot, thin mattress and old bedding) and its condition (kind of dingy and dirty looking) and decided to bail. I intended to stay three nights. I paid the penalty for the first and bailed. The door did not have a key, although, when I called to tell the manager that I had booked elsewhere, she mentioned that she was planning on bringing the key to me. I wasn't expecting luxury, nor was I expecting squalor, I got the latter.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - It was what we needed. Showers needs a drain clean as it fill up with water, but overall we had a nice stay.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - A good place to stay for one or two nights. Close to CBD and Ponsonby.
• Stuart (8/5): Freemans a nice quiet place to stay - The backpacker's hostel is located a little walk from the CBD is a short hike ( even with a broken shoe) I was able to treck to and from town several times. The condition of the hostel is good, a little small but perfect for what i was requiring. The staff were efficiant. Check in wasn't until 4pm as reception was closed from 1pm to 4pm. but with a phone and directions on entering the property i was able to chill out and look around. I recommend this place it is quiet, small & safe I will stay here again.
• Verified traveler (2/5): Can recommend staff but not the hotel. - Exceptionally friendly staff member who was faultless. But the hotel was old, rotten deep hole in bathroom shower area, dusty, dirty room overall (though you can see that they do clean)....i mean the building needs a deep clean repaint and repair. Men were drinking in kitchen the night I arrived, there are no female separate areas for toilet or showers. Could have safer measueres in place for overall safety and well being. I got sick after staying here - was cold with small heater in the room. I cannot stress enough how great the staff was though, helped me with parking, location, directions around the city. The premises let the experience down.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Couldn't get a hotel with the Green Day concert; but this place was fine!
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Was a nice cozy room. Had a very big and comfy bed but the outside entrance door made a big squeak every time someone went out or came in
• Alison (8/5): Comfortable stay at a reasonable price - Very clean and tidy. Staff friendly. Room good with a comfortable bed. Kitchen facilities a bit cramped. Easy access by public transport into the centre of Auckland.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Convenient and clean hotel - Solid stay. No complaints.
• Douglas (8/5): Convenient location - Basic private room in hostel. Convenient location. Manager has select hours for checking in/out. Noisy first night but quieter second. Shared bathroom worked well. Parking on street was tough at times.
• dia (6/5): Nice street - The smoke smells are strong , the beddings needs to be renewed. No mattress protection, just one sheet on it. The other residents are friendly.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - The shower was amazing and the sheets were great quality. We both woke up with sore backs though because the floor was slanted so we weren't laying on a flat bed. Also the curtains were far too narrow for the windows so the room was fully bright from around 6am!
• Aaron (8/5): Central to Everything, but quiet. - This a pretty great hostel. If you looking for a hotel, this isn't it. Our double room was clean, comfortable and on par with many other hostels. The staff are nice and helpful even when you get in at 5 am after a delayed flight.
• Mike (8/5): Very clean and tidy, and ideal location to central - Had a great time here. Very tidy and close walk to where my conference was in central city. Easy to access off/on the motorway.
• Leeby (4/5): Convenient to the city - The hostel is close to the city, convenient, but a little run down. It didn't really feel particuarly clean.
• jean christian (10/5): Clean , Friendly but a bit fresh inside for me - Carefull staff
• Mike (6/5): Very Central - This is an old house converted to accommodation.The walls and floors are not straight, and everything is very very old. But the beds are comfortable, and I am a family of 5, we could fit into one room. The beds were clean, the staff is easygoing. We only had 1 towel on day one, then it took ages to get more towels. Shower is shared and has variable pressure. On the whole it was value for money, all other options on the internet would have cost me double. The hoel reminded me of my student accommodation (rundown house etc.) kind of nostalgic...
• Sarah (2/5): Disappointed - A rabbit warren. To get to my room you go in the front door, down the hall, down stairs, more hall, our to count yard, upstairs into lounge/sleeping room and finally down the hall! Was so awkward walking through lounge with 2 people sleeping in it ( one on mattress & one on the couch!) to get to the bathroom or exit the building :s I was cold as bed cover very thin. One pillowslip had a tear on both sides & a black stain. Very tired & run down facilities. Felt like a student flat! Not an experience I want to repeat :(
• larry (10/5): Convenient friendly interesting Intl crowdedness - Met many interesting people. Recommended. Maintenance seems a struggle for them though. We will return.
• Shannon (4/5): Cold room, no guaranteed parking, kitchen gross. - We arrived at the hostel to a phone on a locked door. We picked up the phone and rang the women, she gave us the code to enter and said she would be 5 minutes, we took our shoes off (as instructed) and entered. 15 minutes later with 6 people now waiting she arrived. We asked about the "free parking" as our car was in a 60 minute spot. She said we had to find a space ourselves which was impossible, so we walked 2 KMs back to the hostel after parking ages away. She showed us our room, it was cold, the windows didn't shut properly. There was a small fridge turned off and it stank. The carpet was dirty and smelt horrible. We decided to have a shower. There are signs on the door saying if the hot water doesn't work you have to go to the end toilet and unplug it and plug it back in. Little did we know this happens precisely ever minute. You have 1 minute of hot water then it turns freezing. You have to get out the shower, walk across the cold unisex bathroom, unplug it, re plug it in, wait 30 seconds, and you get 1 more minute of hot water. 5 times we had to get out and plug it in. The kitchen was filthy. All the kitchenware is badly stained and chipped. There are huge signs everywhere telling you what you can and cannot do.
• Yukio (6/5): - When I arrived there, the door was locked. Later a man came to open it and took me to a room without any procedure of check-in. The room was OK but there were few communication with Hostel staffs. It was a short stay from late night to the next morning.
• Ap (2/5): Worst experience ever-Terrible owners - I had to call Expedia to inform them room given to us wasn't as per the image shown-tried requesting for a refund no success- as the owner were stubborn and not human-
• Thabo (8/5): Adequate - Wonderful
• james (2/5): Very very far below average - Location is good. But thats where it ends. Dirty room. Smelly bed towels and sheets. Walls had condensation and left over alcohol sprayed on them. Shower was broken and dirty. In general, a dump. I left early because i coudlnt stand another night there.
• Bernadette (6/5): Close to our daughter's place - We chose this back packers for its location. We were able to park outside. The manager was not on site when we arrived and we needed to wait around for an hour before we could get a key to lock our room and go out. The kitchen facilities are minimal and the teatowels were dirty. The bed was comfortable and clean but the walls desperately need to be redecorated.
• Curtis (4/5): Social hostel that needs a bit of work. - Won't go back. Pretty basic place.
• Mark (2/5): Worst place I've ever stayed - Booked a twin room for myself n a friend and got given a double room staff demanded payment up front so refused to do anything about it. Room was damp and mouldy we both ended up covered in flea bites. Showers were stone cold and smashed windows in bathroom so neighbours could see you when using toilet. Biggest dump I've ever stayed in
• Protective Mum (6/5): Convenient backpackers close to Auck CBD - Stayed two nights in the Double room with my 14 year old daughter.Have never stayed at a backpackers before. Staff were very friendly and helpful and made us feel at home. Room was spotless, on the smallish side but had a double bed, window, mirror, bar fridge, towels, clean bedding and no unfavourable smells. Facilities and decor were adequate, not modern, but comfy and homey - two dining areas, two common bathrooms, (both spotless and cleaned daily) outside area to hang out, clothes line and laundry room with coin operated machine and dryer. Free wi-fi and computers available in upstairs common room for use - free. Lots of young people from different places who were always friendly and courteous. Heaps checking in and out, so obviously popular backpackers. At night they like to socialise, could be heard but not unpleasantly loud or inconsiderate. I had reservations staying at a backpackers with my teenager - but we felt safe and happy at all times. Very close to CBD - K Road a walk up the hill, bus stop 1 min walk either way and runs every 20 mins straight through town to Britomart - a cab might cost $5.
• Anna (2/5): Not as advertised - cold showers no parking - "Free parking" advertised was on the street, if you're lucky enough to find a park. Showers were cold - no hot water left by 8am. Kitchen was tiny and crammed. Place is old and run down, the floors aren't even level. Smells like mildew. Given a pathetic thin blanket, so glad we brought our own
• ADULT STUDENT (6/5): a MUCH NEEDED REFURBISH REQUIRED - You wrote: VERY disappointed with the back packers. Not up to the standard as advertised. Cold showers 2 days, room had rubbish down behind draws and power cables stretching under bedroom door to outside the building. Not safe especially since the was over night rain. I would suggest the back packers needs a definite safety upgrade.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Nice and central place - Very friendly and helpful staff. Good facilities. Would go there again.
• matti (6/5): you get what you pay for - hostel-type of accommodation, nothing fancy but a nice and quiet neighborhood. great for the cheap price. needs some hiking if coming from cbd,but local bus goes just past the hotel.
• Verified traveler (4/5): my stay - no bath towal no soap.. my room was next to shower...so load noise whn someone showers..

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