Hikurangi Stay Place — Hotel in North Island

A very different experience compared to the average backpacker's dive, that's for sure! I'm fairly certain this place has been converted from an old people's home - it has all the hoists and support bars in the bathrooms, so it's much better for disabled people too (and has a lot of space for wheelchairs as well).

Practically deserted when I stayed so it was incredibly quiet but if it ever did get busy the usual caveats of such conversions - lack of soundproofing, partition walls and chipboard doors - would apply.

Coming from the smelly bedlam of Base Wellington however, it is an oasis of calm. It's sort of like a cross between (a good) Fawlty Towers and the house in 'The Others': slightly creepy when it's so deserted, especially when there are thunderbolts, lightning and pouring rain at night as it was when I typed this!

Free use of laundry facilities (you need your own powder though) and free (fast) wi-fi. No dorms, just 2 person (bunk) rooms and singles AFAIK. Enormous game room with indoor bowling (!), table tennis, pool table (needs resurfacing) & board games etc. Kitchen is in large lounge area which might be an issue. TV is at time of writing a fairly small screen.

You won't be disturbed by a nightclub nearby either LOL.

I doubt you will find many 'Backpackers' like this on BBH...

We were in Room 1 which has a high ceiling which made the room airy. The room was spacious. The beds were comfortable. The bathroom is a wet bathroom with an excellent shower. On site parking was readily available. We enjoyed the indoor bowling facility in the games room where pool and table tennis was also available. It is located not far from central Whanganui and is easy to find. It is in a quiet neighbourhood so sleeping is not a problem. While we did not use it there is a kitchen and dining room.||||It would have been nice if there was tea and coffee available upon arrival. The pillows were a bit soft and thin for our liking. The room was a sparse in that it lacked a desk or set of drawers but did have a wardrobe. The continental breakfast was barely adequate and consisted of a choice of 3 cereals, a bowl of peaches and toast with coffee, tea and juice. While the games room had a pool table and a table tennis table there were no cue or table tennis balls - I guess they were available...

Great value and good location for exploring the local area. Just down the road is a great place to hire e-bikes. The building was converted from a care home, some much of the infrastructure is still in place and a bit dated. The room was was very basic and clean, with a couple of single beds (included electric blanket) and an on suite walk in shower/bathroom. No other facilities in the room. The was a radiator, though as it was summer we didn't use it. There's a shared kitchen area with seating and TV, along with a microwave, cooker, fridge and freezer. This kitchen did include pot's and pans and cooking utensils along with plate's, cups and cutlery. This allows you to cook your own food. There is another desperate lounge area and plenty of seating. A shared laundry is available along with lines for drying washing outside in the gardens. The grounds have several seating areas. The staff were very helpful. There's also plenty free parking in...