Peace haven — Hotel in South Island

The PeaceHaven backpackers is the worst I have ever stayed in. It is dirty, messy and full of flies. Too many campers are allowed to use the disgusting facilities. The Manager doesn't care at all and just put me in an empty bed in a dorm because my booked bed was surprisingly already taken. The room was messy, dark and smelly. There is so much broken stuff everywhere. You can't really use the kitchen because there is barely anything to use and the equipment that was there is slimy and dirty. No one cleans the bathrooms or anything in this hostel at all. The cleaners quit, I heard. There is also a drunk walking around making me uncomfortable. But the most horrendous thing was, when I walked into my room in the evening there was already someone sleeping in my bed on my bedsheets and pillow! I had to wake this person up who didn't seem concerned at all and even wanted to trade my pillow for me giving him his bag of chips on the floor. I left the room laughing because I couldn't believe this absurd situation. Luckly, a friend of mine allowed me to share her bed. And after 10 there was still loud music and then even a man came into the female dorm and just lay in one of the beds. My friend was terrified but was not allowed to lock the door because no one ever does, so no one carries their key with them. I can't understand how people can actually stay here. I cried myself to sleep so disgusted I was. At least there were no bed bugs (I hope) but no white sheets... and I wouldn't trust them to wash the...

Pros: Decent Wifi, friendly owner

Cons: flies everywhere in kitchen, dirty and old mattresses, smelly sheets and duvet, dead bugs on bedroom walls, cockroaches under bed, loud partying most nights

Don't stay here. Honestly one of the worst hostels I have ever stayed. The whole place just feels dirty and neglected. The kitchen truly had hundreds of flies roaming at all times. If you left food sitting for more than a few seconds then you would find multiple flies on it. The refrigerators stank of rotten food. I pulled out a tupperware with some moldy rice that must have been sitting in there for 6 months. No joke. I avoided my bedroom during the day because of the smell. There were dead mosquitoes and other bugs all over the walls. One night we found a cockroach run out from under the bed. My mattress must have had 1000 other people who've slept on it. You could see the dirt and sweat on the bottom side of of the foam. This place is in serious need of a deep cleaning. I think virtually any other backpacker in Blenheim would be better than Peacehaven, and considering that it's not any cheaper, there's really no reason at all...

I stayed here because the owner offered me a job in the vineyards but I do not recommend this hostel at all !! It's very dirty 🤢 In the kitchen you need to rewash the dishes, dead flies are hanging above your heads, everything is sticky, and the kitchen is equipped but everything is broken... The toilets and showers were disgusting... the whole hostel is fully cleaned only once a year, when the hostel is being privatised to welcome employees working for the same contractor and so if you were planning to stay there for longer, just forget it, the owner will ask you to leave (by offering you another option but of what I heard it was not really better...). And fortunately I was sleeping in my car because the room were really dirty... I don't know how people can sleep in there. The only good point, if I have to write one is that I met great friends there. So, eventhough you are looking for a job asap, avoid this hostel ! You can find way...