Mountain House — Hotel in South Island

Mountain House was a great home away from home. It was our first stay on the South Island and a great way to get into the hiking mindset. We did some day hikes on our one day there (Scott’s Track — do not recommend as it was straight up and down on scary rocks the whole time, aaargh!) and Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall (we do recommend that one!). The mix of guests was so interesting as they were mostly TA through hikers. Our private room (Hamilton, Room 2) was very large with a queen sized bed plus one or two single beds and a sofa. The shared kitchen was also large and well equipped, with dining tables to enjoy your meal. The shower rooms were clean and had great water pressure and temperature, and the toilet rooms were fine, though with the tiniest sinks that made teeth brushing a challenge. (Each hower and toilet was in its own separate room, so you don’t share with others at the same time.) The store/restaurant next door to Mountain House was handy and fun but...

Mountain House was a great home away from home. It was our first stay on the South Island and a great way to get into the hiking mindset. We did some day hikes on our one day there (Scott’s Track — do not recommend as it was straight up and down on scary rocks the whole time, aaargh!) and Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall (we do recommend that one!). The mix of guests was so interesting as they were mostly TA through hikers. Our private room (Hamilton, Room 2) was very large with a queen sized bed plus one or two single beds and a sofa. The shared kitchen was also large and well equipped, with dining tables to enjoy your meal. The shower rooms were clean and had great water pressure and temperature, and the toilet rooms were fine, though with the tiniest sinks that made teeth brushing a challenge. (Each hower and toilet was in its own separate room, so you don’t share with others at the same time.) The store/restaurant next door to Mountain House was handy and fun but...

The Mountain House is small (only one mixed dorm, rest private rooms), but the hostel is clean, well managed and in a great location. Wifi is good and the kitchen is huge, with a nice lounge on the second floor.||||The bathrooms and showers are a tad small but manageable and there is good parking in front of the building (and street parking available as well).||||Kitchen/bathrooms close for cleaning from 10am - 12pm but if you plan ahead, it's not an issue.||||Location is right in the middle of the park, 35 minutes to Castle Hill (or from there), 10 minute walk to Devil's Punchbowl and about 10 minutes to the Otira Valley track. Great place to stop and hike or stay overnight as you move east/west.||||Would definitely stay again. Dorms book up very quickly so reserve ahead, private rooms are pricey for location...