Haka House Christchurch — Hotel in Christchurch

Edit: I was evicted with 3 hours’ notice for this review. NOTE: Drifter is owned by same corp.

I’m really glad to be here but I’m also very sad and as feedback doesn’t work despite ostensibly invited, hence this review.

Pros: — Great location — Beautiful building — Thoughtful refurbishments — Cosy curtained beds: pod-concept but classical design. — Outdoor living spaces — Washing line (not just dryer) — Gloriously sunny dining/quiet living area — Plush, stylish communal area — Excellent storage — Longstay options

Cons — Poor hygiene measures between cleaning sessions (zero hand hygiene, horrific multi-use bathmats) — Unfriendly staff (nope. It’s not welcoming beyond check-in) and sometimes openly hostile inc passive aggressive and covert aggressive) with one outstandingly notable exception: Daniel and one other who I see as neutral in attitude. — Feedback encouragement a facade. — Lord-of-the Flies style food storage.

I’m grateful to be here because they welcome long stays (28 days in a row max) and in this hard housing climate it’s a comfort to be seen a valued guest rather than a feral vagabond (Lylo).

It’s also a beautiful heritage building with many fascinating and rather romantic nooks and side staircases, like a castle. The building has been internally refurbished (it’s no longer YHA) while keeping the bones and some internal features such as hot water-maintained heating.

It’s close to the city centre but also tucked away.

I’ve tried to introduce a few improvements given feedback has been brick- walked (out of toilet paper in bathroom: “I’ll get to it in ten or so minutes IF I have time”. (And yes I’ve worked in hospo for 7 years and am familiar with hostels + restaurants. The golden rules are everything can wait (within reason) except drinking water and loo paper. Come ON. It’s just spiteful. It was t even for me — it was for the next unsuspecting person.)

I’m autistic and I’ve disclosed that to a couple of staff (actually, one I met superficially previously) hoping for some tolerance: I don’t blame anyone for mis-coding my behaviour or just speech patterns and sense of humour if they don’t know. Aspies are weird. We don’t match up with normal expectations and can justifiably be regarded as rude or officious.

But if they do know — or they see me crying as I often do and I cannot hide — and the hostility continues I feel so unwelcome and so bad about myself. And I shouldn’t. And that to me is an inhospitable hospitality establishment.

Daniel I’m sure is bugged to heck by me. But his temperament is ideal. No, the customer is not always right. But the customers are always diverse and they’re paying for service — not trying to date you.

I feel so lonely here. I I feel lonely everywhere. That’s how I was born and it’s no one else’s fault.

But a word for hirers of hospo staff: Don’t rely on interviews and don’t test just staff fit. Get mystery shoppers to see how they treat awkward humans looking fur shelter and welcome.

For me it’s the hard, cold stares. I’m very close to calling it out when it happens next. I don’t want confrontation: I want them to know what they’re doing to me and that I know that they know.

Haka House: please live up to your mission statement. Humans are imperfect and my imperfections are not malicious. Be kind.

EDIT: Staff came back home onsite after the 10pm quiet period start very rowdy.

I’ve been having reluctant late nights trouble-shooting —- in designated, enclosed common areas; some other guests are night owls but also keep it respectful of others.

Going to my room at 11:40 I encountered two of the crew sitting in the corridor laughing and talking. 11.40. These are two of the most hostile staff but I bit the bullet and asked for quiet time. They said sure and dispersed — after whispering and snorting.

I’ve been here before. Any habitual bullying target will know why my heart sinks. But I have insomnia and one dorm mate sleeps lightly. What does one do?

I wish I could give open feedback. HH Chch is pretty new so the staff culture may settle. The owner...

The worst YHA hostel we stayed in NZ among the others.

Firstly, the room that assign to us was so dirty and messy as there is 1 long term tenant. We stunned with the view we had seen. All his things was all over the floor, 2 out of 4 lockers are all his stuff and the toilet have something on the basin also. There is strong smell when we entered the room. We went to the counter and feedback all these. At first, the person mentioned that the bed was clean and like don't care. We insisted to change to other room. Then the person help us to change.

Furthermore, the kitchen and the common area was not clean. All the used cooking utensils was not clean and people just leave it at the basin or the cooking area. Some will just leave it on the table after meal without removing it. The common bathroom/toilet always have someone personal items. Nobody control of these.

Other than that, we called 4 times the number that shown in the counter around 7pm and want to feedback about our access card issue. However, no one answer the phone. Luckily, we found a staff at the counter to help us reset the access card. The next day morning, the person at the counter (so called manager) told us that if we rang the phone at the midnight and it is not urgent issue, she will charges us. (We rang before 8pm and no one answer the pbone.) Simply think that if we can't access to our room, isn't urgent? The person get angry and keep repeated saying that our card was not reset and said is our problem if we can enter the room. (Because the card was reset by others that's why we can access the room.) The person somemore said the door need to be closed properly (handle need to be in right position) if not the card can't read. We are very sure that the handle was in the right position and we knew how the card reader shown if it is error. The person didn't hear our explanation that someone already help us to reset the card if not we can't access the room. The person just get angry and we don't know why this person shown this kind of attitude to us. This person keep telling us she is the manager and she have the right to charge us if we rang the call at the late night, if it is not urgent. (Come on, we can't enter to our room and yet want to charge us??? It is called customer service??)

The WIFI connection was so poor and we can't connect in our room. As such, there is 5gb limit pee day and it mentioned that it will reset everyday. However, this never happened.

Conclusion, this is the worst YHA hostel we ever stayed in NZ. Cleanliness issues, arrangements issue on the long term stay guest, attitude problem...

Disappointing Experience at Haka House Christchurch

On July 2nd, during our journey from Picton to Dunedin, we decided to spend the night in Christchurch because we were very tired. Unfortunately, while making the booking, we mistakenly selected Tuesday, July 16th instead of Tuesday, July 2nd. When we arrived around 9 p.m., we realized the error. Since the reception was already closed, we had to find accommodation elsewhere.

We immediately contacted the "Wot if" app where we made the reservation, and a representative assisted us in sending an email to Haka House explaining the mistake. Despite this, and the fact that today is July 15th, we have not received any response in the two weeks that have passed.

Today, I decided to call to inquire about a refund and spoke with the manager, who informed me that the hostel's policy is not to offer refunds, which he said is standard practice. This was a complete shock to me, as we reported the error on the same day we made the booking, and we have an email documenting the situation.

I understand they might have strict cancellation policies, but the lack of response to our email and the inflexibility of their policy, even with a clear explanation of the situation, shows a lack of empathy and terrible customer service. Unfortunately, this has left a bad impression of Haka House, and I would not recommend their service to others. I am still waiting for someone to contact me so that we can...