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Chateau Backpacker Motels

West Coast · New Zealand

8 Cron StreetView location

7.6/10Very good248 Reviews
Cleanliness7.4/107.4
Service8.0/108.0
Comfort7.4/107.4
Condition7.0/107.0
Location8.4/108.4
Neighborhood8.6/108.6
Value8.6/108.6
Amenities7.4/107.4
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Room prices, availability, meal plans and cancellation terms are confirmed for your selected dates.

About Chateau Backpacker Motels

With a stay at Chateau Backpacker & Motels in Franz Josef Glacier, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Franz Josef Glacier and Te Wahipounamu. This hostel is 0. 1 mi (0. 2 km) from Westcoast Wildlife Centre and 0. 2 mi (0.

3 km) from Our Lady of the Alps. Enjoy recreational amenities such as a spa tub and a fitness center. Additional features at this hostel include complimentary wireless Internet access, a fireplace in the lobby, and tour/ticket assistance. Featured amenities include limo/town car service, luggage storage, and laundry facilities.

Planning an event in Franz Josef Glacier? This hostel has 484 square feet (45 square meters) of space consisting of conference space and a meeting room. Free self parking is available onsite. A complimentary continental breakfast is included. Make yourself at home in one of the 43 guestrooms featuring refrigerators.

Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected.

Read more about this hotelShow less

With a stay at Chateau Backpacker & Motels in Franz Josef Glacier, you'll be within a 5-minute walk of Te Wahipounamu and Westcoast Wildlife Centre. This hostel is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Our Lady of the Alps and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from St James Anglican Church.

Make yourself at home in one of the 43 guestrooms featuring refrigerators. Prepare your meals in the shared/communal kitchen. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers. Featured amenities include limo/town car service, luggage storage, and laundry facilities.

Free self parking is available onsite.

Popular amenities

Free WiFi
Parking available
Dining services
Concierge
Laundry
Gym
Entertainment
Smoking areas
Transportation services
Accessible facilities

Check-in and check-out

Check-in from 2:00 PM
Check-in until 8:00 PM
Check-out until 11:00 AM
Minimum check-in age 15

Hotel policies

No rollaway/extra beds available Professional property host/manager Pets not allowed

Cleaning and safety

Sanitization
Cashless transactions are available

Important information

  • You need to know
    • Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.
  • Special Instructions
    The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM. The front desk is staffed during limited hours.
  • Instructions
    • Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
    • Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
    • Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
    • This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
    • Cashless transactions are available
  • Minimal age
    15
  • Spoken Language

    English

Nearby attractions

Te Wahipounamu 0.1 km / 0.1 mi
Westcoast Wildlife Centre 0.2 km / 0.1 mi
Our Lady of the Alps 0.2 km / 0.1 mi
St James Anglican Church 0.5 km / 0.3 mi
Waiho Hot Tubs 0.6 km / 0.4 mi
Glacier Hot Pools 0.6 km / 0.4 mi
Waiho Bailey Bridge 0.7 km / 0.4 mi
Sentinel Rock 4.4 km / 2.8 mi
Alex Knob 4.6 km / 2.8 mi
Lake Mapourika 8.3 km / 5.2 mi
Fox Glacier Glow Worm Forest 23.6 km / 14.7 mi
Andris Apse Wilderness Gallery 27.8 km / 17.3 mi
Lake Matheson 28.5 km / 17.7 mi
Lake Gault 28.5 km / 17.7 mi

Hotel facilities & services

Services and fees can vary. Check the selected room details and hotel policies before booking.

  • Total number of rooms: 43
  • hostel
  • Wi-fi
  • Laundry service
  • Fireplace
  • Hotel safe
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Luggage room
  • Grill/BBQ
  • Library
  • Conference room
Show 5 more facilities & services
  • Meeting room
  • TV lounge
  • Breakfast
  • Picnic
  • Fitness
Upon availability

Room types

These are the hotel's room types, rather than live offers. Choose your travel dates to see available rooms, prices and booking conditions. Check availability

  • Bed in dormitory STANDARDBed in dormitory • STANDARDBED.ST

    Photos are not available for this room type.

    Chateau Backpacker Motels

    Bed in dormitory STANDARD

    Room photos

    Photos are not available for this room type.

    Room overview

    Occupancy
    Guests: 1–1 • Adults: max. 1 • Children: max. 0
    Room type
    Bed in dormitory
    View / characteristic
    STANDARD

    Adult and child limits apply within the room's total guest limit.

    Room code: BED.ST

    Limited room details from hotel

    Available rooms, prices and included facilities are confirmed after you choose your dates and rate.

  • TRIPLE MOUNTAIN VIEWTRIPLE • MOUNTAIN VIEWTPL.VN

    Photos are not available for this room type.

    Chateau Backpacker Motels

    TRIPLE MOUNTAIN VIEW

    Room photos

    Photos are not available for this room type.

    Room overview

    Occupancy
    Guests: 1–5 • Adults: max. 3 • Children: max. 4
    Room type
    TRIPLE
    View / characteristic
    MOUNTAIN VIEW

    Adult and child limits apply within the room's total guest limit.

    Room code: TPL.VN

    Limited room details from hotel

    Available rooms, prices and included facilities are confirmed after you choose your dates and rate.

  • DOUBLE DELUXE QUEEN BEDDOUBLE • DELUXE QUEEN BEDDBL.DX-QN

    Photos are not available for this room type.

    Chateau Backpacker Motels

    DOUBLE DELUXE QUEEN BED

    Room photos

    Photos are not available for this room type.

    Room overview

    Occupancy
    Guests: 1–4 • Adults: max. 4 • Children: max. 3
    Room type
    DOUBLE
    View / characteristic
    DELUXE QUEEN BED

    Adult and child limits apply within the room's total guest limit.

    Room code: DBL.DX-QN

    Limited room details from hotel

    Available rooms, prices and included facilities are confirmed after you choose your dates and rate.

  • DOUBLE QUEEN SIZE BEDDOUBLE • QUEEN SIZE BEDDBL.QN

    Photos are not available for this room type.

    Chateau Backpacker Motels

    DOUBLE QUEEN SIZE BED

    Room photos

    Photos are not available for this room type.

    Room overview

    Occupancy
    Guests: 1–4 • Adults: max. 4 • Children: max. 3
    Room type
    DOUBLE
    View / characteristic
    QUEEN SIZE BED

    Adult and child limits apply within the room's total guest limit.

    Room code: DBL.QN

    Limited room details from hotel

    Available rooms, prices and included facilities are confirmed after you choose your dates and rate.

Guest reviews

What other guests saying about Chateau Backpacker Motels

7.6
Very good
248 Reviews
Cleanliness
7.4 /10
Service
8.0 /10
Comfort
7.4 /10
Condition
7.0 /10
Location
8.4 /10
Neighborhood
8.6 /10
Value
8.6 /10
Amenities
7.4 /10
100 reviews shown
10/10
Exceptional
24 Mar 2026
Lekshmanan Rajesh
Very nice place and good staf clean room and good service we like kitchen service and good parking space
Partner
10/10
Exceptional
21 Mar 2026
Sabina
Clean room, friendly staff. Overall great stay and would recommend
6/10
Pleasant
10 Mar 2026
Pik
The property is rundown; the room is ok, but the mattress sheets ha e mildew smell and all the sheets and pillow cases look old and dirty. Receptionist was nice and helpful. He changed the sheets for us.
Partner
6/10
Pleasant
23 Feb 2026
John
Courteous staff but whole property in need of modernisation, however, typical backpacker venue!
Partner
8/10
Excellent
17 Feb 2026
Joan
Wonderful staff.
Partner
10/10
Exceptional
13 Feb 2026
Greg
Spacious clean room. Great kitchen area. It was wonderfully comfortable.
Partner
6/10
Pleasant
05 Feb 2026
Nicholas
Good price, basic accommodation but property looking a bit tired but good value for money and excellent location.
2/10
Poor
12 Jan 2026
Annie
Insalubre. Inhabitable. C'est sale et très mal entretenu. Oui, il y a 2 cuisines mais les ronds de cuisson fonctionnent à moitié, poêle et casseroles en mauvais état. Ça sent le vieux gras. Les matelas trop mous et les couvertures de lit du siècle dernier. Le réceptionniste est gentil mais, le pauvre, que peut-il faire.
Self
6/10
Pleasant
10 Jan 2026
Anita
Not clean enough
Partner
10/10
Exceptional
13 Oct 2025
Rani
The property was so quiet and I was able to get a good rest. Thank you!
Self
10/10
Exceptional
04 Oct 2025
Dominic
Accommodating Staff; Good Value for Money
Partner
8/10
Excellent
10 Mar 2025
Jane
Stayed in “Deluxe” private room - basically an old motel room, but had microwave, coffee machine, toaster, kitchenette. Manager very helpful, said every guest has towels & sheets provided (info on website was wrong) Not providing free breakfast or soup as stated on website, but Chateau is close to great cafes & bars. Washing machine & dryer worked well - place needs a fix up & paint.
6/10
Pleasant
17 Feb 2025
ELAINE S

Well priced basic room in good location.

The place is reasonably priced. Bed was comfortable, room was generally clean but fairly rundown. The manager is a very pleasant knowledgeable man who is ver welcoming and vested in giving guests valuable information about hiking, points of interest etc., the shared kitchen facilities were well-equipped and provided everything you would need to prepare a meal.
Partner
6/10
Pleasant
14 Feb 2025
Lawrence
Whilst Chris who runs the accommodation is a nice, friendly guy, the whole property is in desperate need of some TLC and a good clean from top to bottom.
8/10
Excellent
09 Feb 2024
Emily

Adequate budget accommodation

This place was adequate for our two-night stay. Strong backpacker vibe, with free breakfast (waffles, cereal, toast) and evening soup. Helpful staff. The location was great. The room itself was dated and pretty small.

I'd say this is a case of you get what you pay for. It was very affordable and great if you're looking to connect with other travelers, but I think I would personally spring for a place a bit more modern with more amenities next time.
Partner
10/10
Exceptional
23 Dec 2023
Gordon
Had everything we needed
Friends_and_family Friends
6/10
Pleasant
10 Dec 2023
Mrinali
I liked that there was free hot soup in the evenings and a free breakfast. We arrived an hour early but weren't allowed to check-in. Also the rooms were not clean, there were bed bugs, the hot water tap wasn't functional and there were spiders in the room. I probably would look for a cleaner accomodation next time.
Leisure Partner
8/10
Excellent
26 Nov 2023
Callum
Really good size private room with comfortable bed which also had a mini fridge and little sofa. Decent bathroom. Staff were friendly and helpful. Free parking on site. Two good size kitchens and plenty of communal space but no atmosphere really so not great for solo travellers. Would not recommend using the hot tub - was filthy. Disappointed with laundry facilities - washing machine didn’t drain properly leaving my clothes soaking, dryer did not dry fully, and one of my T-shirts was stolen from the clothesline.
Leisure Self
8/10
Excellent
01 Apr 2023
Malcolm
It was we expected from previous reviews. The motel room was smaller than expected. There were no places to hang clothes
Leisure Partner
10/10
Exceptional
21 Mar 2023
shani
everything was great! nice and comfortable room. from the room you can see the mountain. kitchen have all you need for cooking.
breakfast was nice and simple - crepe, tost with butter and jam, and cornflaks. The place close to resturants. the guy that work in the reception was super nice and helpful. thanks
Leisure Family
10/10
Exceptional
15 Mar 2023
Sarah

Great spot to stay in Franz Josef.

We booked an ensuite room for 2 nights and it was perhaps the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on.
Chris, the manager, was friendly and helpful, making soup every night which was free for the guests, as was the breakfast of waffles, pancakes, yoghurt, toast and cereals.
Great place to stay and great value.
8/10
Excellent
06 Feb 2023
Matt
It was a nice hostel with friendly staff. Some younger people stayed up past the quiet time, drank and partied. The electric socket made some noise next to my bed. Other than that no complaints. Cheap with free breakfast and soup for dinner.
Leisure Self
10/10
Exceptional
27 Jan 2023
Cherith
Brilliant place to stay, right under the mountain. Free soup and amazing free breakfast every morning. Lovely atmosphere all handled by the superstar owner/manager/bed maker, Chris. We loved it.
Leisure Family
10/10
Exceptional
01 Dec 2022
Naila
Cool place to stay for a short visit. Everything is at a walkable distance.
Leisure Partner
10/10
Exceptional
27 Nov 2022
Amy
Good little base for exploring Franz Josef with free soup and breakfast. The studio was quite spacious but a little dated. The bed was comfortable, however.
Partner
10/10
Exceptional
21 Oct 2022
fraser
Great price
Leisure Self
10/10
Exceptional
12 Jan 2022
Verified traveler

Four night stay

stayed for four nights, the accomodation is conveniently accessible to the centre of Franz Josef. The bed was comfortable and appropriately sized. Breakfast, albeit simple, was provided. Highly recommend for any one thinking of travelling on a budget.
Self
10/10
Exceptional
24 Dec 2021
Magdalena
Loved the Hospitality &Staff very informative &helpfull..Awsome Stay looking forward &happily recommend this Motel/Hotel/Backpackers...
Leisure Self
10/10
Exceptional
20 Nov 2021
rod
We loved having the soup on arrival, being able to have a continental breakfast included with pancakes and waffles. We like the undercover walking as it was raining and we were able to load and unload the car without getting too wet. The service was excellent.
Leisure
10/10
Exceptional
18 Jan 2021
David
Shared kitchen, pancakes included for breakfast and soup for dinner included
Leisure Partner
10/10
Exceptional
26 Oct 2020
Trish
very helpful and obliging owner.great spacious room
Leisure Partner
10/10
Exceptional
17 Mar 2020
Susan
I am going to say surprised. I was expecting this place to be rough. We had comfortable rooms with shared clean clean washrooms.
The staff was very friendly helpful and happy. The chateau was quirky looking but a fun place with interesting people of all ages and nationalities Very close to restaurants bars and
Friends_and_family Friends
6/10
Pleasant
13 Mar 2020
Carol

Eclectic place

We had a shared bathroom type room the first night and it was super tiny. We upgraded to an en suite which was much more comfortable. Nice to have the free breakfast and soup in the evening. Staff was great
Partner
8/10
Excellent
29 Feb 2020
Verified traveler
We really enjoyed the free breakfast (pancakes/waffles, cereals, roasts and jams), the number of shared washrooms/showers was limited but we didn’t run into any issues. The hostel is well located, you can easily walk to the grocery store or restaurants.
Leisure Partner
4/10
Poor
24 Jan 2020
Verified traveler
No hot water during my shower. Claimed to have free breakfast, it was 3 round bowel of low grade cereal left on table and nothing else. No staff present. Office was still closed when we leave about 9 am. We just leave the key on the door. Worst paying stay I ever had.
Leisure Partner
4/10
Poor
23 Jan 2020
Verified traveler
The room was not very clean. The Breakfast was not available as the staff didn't turn up. The price much too high.
Leisure Partner
8/10
Excellent
12 Jan 2020
David

Could do better

We spent 3 weeks in NZ and stayed in diffrent places most nights, it think it is fair to say that the worst shower of the trip was in this Backpackers. No presure and either scolding or freezing.
The kitchen was also one of the worst equipt of the stay with only one sauspan to share round between the guests!
For a place of this size the limited hours of the front desk were also suprising, lots of rules about noise, etc, but knobody to enforce them.
Appart from the shower the room was generally comfortable and had a small fridge too. Everything in the town was within walking distance.
Friends_and_family Friends
8/10
Excellent
29 Dec 2019
Verified traveler
Well set up and helpful staff v comfortable for motel backpacker units. Just a shame there was no hot water in the morning for a shower.
Leisure Partner
4/10
Poor
27 Dec 2019
Verified traveler
Very expensive for what it is and the condition of the place. The staff are great and very helpful but the place is run down and desperate for a good cleanup.
Leisure Partner
8/10
Excellent
01 Dec 2019
Nicola

Our Alps Cavern

Wonderful stay very cosy and warm in room. Owner /manager looks after guests by providing breakfast in the morning, pancakes toast jams syrup coffee tea, and soup at night too keep you warm plenty of vegetables and barley mmmmm yummy. Staff and owner very friendly. We enjoyed our short stay.
Friends_and_family Friends
6/10
Pleasant
21 Nov 2019
Verified traveler
The. Young lady, she said her name was a Maori name, was great checking us in and helpful with questions. Soup was good and there was a nice selection for breakfast and both meals were complimentary. Beds were comfortable and room was pretty clean but everything needs a real good cleaning as in walkways and light fixtures above entries
Leisure
10/10
Exceptional
18 Nov 2019
Verified traveler
Great friendly staff. Breakfast was good but as I’m not a morning person leaving out a little later would be good.
Leisure Partner
8/10
Excellent
04 Nov 2019
Verified traveler
Came here during shoulder season so hostel wasn't full. Booked two double rooms and was given a unit of three rooms with full access which was nice that we could leave our food in the fridge etc. The bed was comfortable, heater in the room to take the edge off the temperature and good shower.
Breakfast provided including pancakes if you are up in time!
Main kitchen lacked a lot of basic cooking facilities (can opener, grater) but you make do.
Leisure Family
8/10
Excellent
21 Oct 2019
Deirdre

Comfortable and Friendly

Although it was a backpacker place our room was very comfortable and we had an ensuite. Because it was a backpacker place there was free soup at night and breakfast in the morning
Partner
8/10
Excellent
03 May 2019
Verified traveler
Having a breakfast and soup for dinner included was a surprise, a great bonus. The room was just okay.
Leisure Partner
4/10
Poor
27 Apr 2019
LonelyPlanet
Difficult to move luggages to second floor as there is no elevator and the road is not smooth for wheels.
Room and common area were not clean.
Leisure Friends
10/10
Exceptional
03 Apr 2019
Christian

Cozy Spot

Got stranded in Franz Josef Glacier when the bridge collapsed, it was a cozy, chill place to hang for a few rainy day# complete with a fireplace. The kitchen is large, but I was initially quite stumped by the induction oven.
6/10
Pleasant
11 Mar 2019
Verified traveler
Convenient location, on the quieter side of the small city. It is within walking distance to most of Franz Josef Glacier. Stayed in the individual room with its own bathroom, and got the corner room. The place is a bit outdated, with dead insects. The wi-fi worked but it was not very good. The place is as clean as it can be, except the carpets weren't that great. Beyond that, the amenities are ok and the bed was comfortable. The free breakfast was decent. It was an ok place to stay for the price and convenience.
Leisure Partner
8/10
Excellent
24 Feb 2019
Verified traveler
Quieter than we thought it would be. Pleasant ground floor room with good facilities. Parking easy.
Leisure Partner
8/10
Excellent
14 Feb 2019
Rosemarie

Great location for The Franz and Fox

Bed was a bit narrow for two people
WiFi rubbish....total hot and miss
Took ages to eventually log on....but zero in room
Breakfast....first in Best Dressed. Seating is very limited
Partner
6/10
Pleasant
10 Feb 2019
Verified traveler
Good location. Room was clean and very spacious although I did have an issue with bugs (black fly??) in the night time. I woke up a few times having been bitten on my arms, legs and around my waist.

If you’re driving there is free parking but it’s very tight. Overall I think the place is an ok spot. Ideal for a night or two. Just have earplugs. The walls are thin and you can hear conversations and doors closing in the next room.
Leisure Self
8/10
Excellent
09 Feb 2019
Terence

One night stopover on the west coast

This place caters to backpackers and budget conscious travellers, it's definitely good if that's what you want. We had a double room with shared bathroom which was no frills but was fine for a night and clean and comfortable. The breakfast (pancake mix and waffle maker too) was a bonus and this was a quiet place to stay with no issues with late night noise. Franz Josef is tiny so it's easy to walk around the corner to the shop/cafes and restaurants etc. Visit from the fire engine was a bonus ;)
Partner
8/10
Excellent
25 Jan 2019
Verified traveler
Close to town, walk to attractions. Good breakfast, friendly staff and guests
10/10
Exceptional
17 Jan 2019
Verified traveler
Easy going staff, very comfortable rooms, close to everything, great breakfast and soup as well!!
10/10
Exceptional
01 Dec 2018
Verified traveler
Staff was nice and the rooms were good. New bed and pillow.
Leisure Self
8/10
Excellent
23 Nov 2018
George
Great for a budget stay in what can be an expensive area. Facilities were very adequate even if a little long in the tooth. However this is what we were expecting and our ensuite double room was adequate and served its purpose. The waffles for breakfast were a nice, unexpected extra.
The spa should be avoided as it looked and smelt like it hadn't been maintained for a long while.
Partner
8/10
Excellent
12 Nov 2018
Verified traveler

Value for money and very nice environment

I like the breakfast and the free soups everyday at 6pm. Staffs are very friendly.
Friends
8/10
Excellent
02 Nov 2018
Verified traveler

Dated and shabby round the edges but comfortable

Place is old and dated but I liked the character this gave the place, albeit a bit shabby. The beds were comfortable and it was nice having heaters in the room. It was also nice to have curtains around the beds which gave some privacy. There are two kitchens which was nice, and several comfy communal lounging areas. The staff were mostly pleasant, although there was one guy who was not very friendly. When i checked in he had no interest in being helpful when I asked about the local area, and later on ignored me when I said hello to him in the kitchen! All in all I would stay here again.
10/10
Exceptional
28 Sep 2018
Verified traveler

Comfy and nice breakfast

The hotel keeps clean and the room has all you need.
It’s a good place for the money we paid!
Breakfast: cereal, coffe, chocolate, waffles, toasts...
8/10
Excellent
26 Sep 2018
Rachael
All good
Enjoyed my stay
Onto it staff
Clean room
10/10
Exceptional
20 Sep 2018
Britt

Great value

Really good value hotel for a private room with breakfast and soup included. The staff were super helpful with everything
10/10
Exceptional
16 Sep 2018
Lauren

Great stay!

Really cute and quirky hostel.
Free soup, breakfast and WiFi.
Really good atmosphere. Would definitely stay again!
Partner
8/10
Excellent
11 Sep 2018
Verified traveler
delicious waffle for breakfast
hot soup in the evening
10/10
Exceptional
02 Aug 2018
Jessica
Great place for the price. You aren’t getting much but it was clean, safe and had a nice kitchen area with all the cooking stuff you needed. The staff was super helpful and friendly.
Partner
8/10
Excellent
11 Jun 2018
Halas
Poor weather conditions while we came but the staff was very friendly
10/10
Exceptional
04 May 2018
Sarah

Great motel style room in centre

Good overall. Great room. Breakfast a bit hectic. One member of staff didn't look like he wanted to be there. Owner great and a great place to stay if seeing the glaciers.
10/10
Exceptional
03 Apr 2018
julian

Comfortable motel style accommodation

Comfortable en suite room with kitchenette facility tv and parking.
8/10
Excellent
28 Jan 2018
Ingo

Much better than most reviews.

I had a double room for single use with shower. It was very clean, the bed comfy, with kitchenette, outside small table with 2 chairs, for 90$. People at reception had been very friendly, helpful and provided information about tours. Social room large enough with comfy seats. Kitchen with everything needed, no difference to most good hostels I had so far In NZL. Soup in the evening and breakfast in the morning for free.
I do not know the conditions within the dorms, but ac Ording to my experience many of the reviews do not describe the hostel fairly
6/10
Pleasant
14 Jan 2018
Veneta

Uncomfortable

Receptionist seemed disinterested. Wifi quality was poor and power plugs only started working after midnight.
Family
10/10
Exceptional
09 Jan 2018
Peter

Cheap place and awesome location!

This place is great, even though it’s a back packers! It’s quirky and unique but clean and so cheap. You get a free continental basic breaky and free soup after 6pm each night. The scenery behind is gorgeous. I would stay here again. My husband and I had the double room with ensuite. Parking is free and the staff are friendly.
6/10
Pleasant
20 Nov 2017
Guy

Reasonable motel and hostel in Franz Josef

We stayed in a motel room at Chateau Backpackers in Franz Josef for a couple of days during a 3-week tour of NZ.

Overall it was a reasonable experience - room was OK but a little dated, staff friendly and helpful, facilities as expected.

The small kitchen and dining room was very busy during breakfast time, so make sure to arrive early if you have a helicopter flight booked in the morning!

8/10
Excellent
19 Nov 2017
Verified traveler

Good value for money

Quick and uncomplicated check-in, nice warm room, shower is pretty outdated, but all in all room is good value for money, kitchen was well equipped but pretty messy (though that usually depends more on the kind of crowd staying here), breakfast buffet was always empty, you gotta be quick. All up, good value for money in Franz Josef.
Family
10/10
Exceptional
16 Oct 2017
Elena

Fine rest after glacier

A lot of positive points = comfort of the room with mini kitchen, little spa< free beakfast and soup. Fine stuff.
8/10
Excellent
11 Oct 2017
Anthony

Okay

Was okay, nothing luxurious but does the job.
However the Spa tub is absolutely disgusting... chlorine it’s cool but changing the water regularly is much better.
Family
10/10
Exceptional
30 Aug 2017
Alannah

Great value for money and friendly staff.

Stayed for one night in a double room. Room was very comfy with and ensuite, kitchenette, and TV. Facilities included the use of the spa (undercover so can be used in any weather) and unlimited free wifi.

When we arrived, checkin staff were friendly and helpful. We also received free soup as part of our stay. In the morning, again free food! Great spread of toast, cereal, and waffles!

All in all a great place to stay and amazing value for money - will definitely be staying here again if we are in the area.
8/10
Excellent
24 Aug 2017
Val

close to everything

very friendly staff. Unexpected free soup at 6 & waffles for breakfast! Rooms are dated but very comfortable beds
6/10
Pleasant
18 Jul 2017
Verified traveler

A Backpackers Hostel

This is a backpackers hostel so you get what you pay for.

Our room was basic but warm, but not the cleanest - there was mould in the bathroom and the carpet wasn't fitted to the walls.

The staff were really friendly and there was free soup and breakfast on offer to all people staying which was a nice touch, The communal kitchen was clean.
8/10
Excellent
27 Apr 2017
Rudolf

Good waffles for breakfast

I stayed in the motel section and the room was good but the bathroom was cramped and had one of the smallest shower stalls I have ever saw. Breakfast was good but they ran out of waffle batter on a couple of the days I stayed. Wi-Fi is reliable and speed was good compared to other places I stayed at in NZ.
Family
8/10
Excellent
24 Apr 2017
Barb

Central backpackers

Supplied soup in the evening and a great breakfast of healthy muesli,toast and waffles and free international calls.

Excellent young kiwi woman overseeing kitchen and office and great ambassador for NZ.
8/10
Excellent
23 Apr 2017
Verified traveler

Good one nighter

Good location, good for a one night stop over, noisey and bathroom needs updating
Partner
8/10
Excellent
20 Apr 2017
L

Studio/motel room

Was really nice and warm and cosy.
A bit more hanging space would have been great but otherwise everything was swell :)
8/10
Excellent
02 Apr 2017
Stacy

comfortable room

Fine experience. Only there for one night, with an early checkout. Did not take advantage of breakfast. Overall nice hotel with everything we needed
8/10
Excellent
20 Mar 2017
Verified traveler

Comfortable double room in hostel

Had a private room. Spacious, clean. The bed was comfortable and facilities good. The down side was no fridge in the room. We could have used the kitchen fridge but it was pretty full and some distance. Breakfast provided. Given the number of young people staying it was pretty quiet in the evening.
8/10
Excellent
15 Mar 2017
Brad

Nice hostel, great location, friendly & helpful

We spent 1 night in a double room with ensuite. It was clean and tidy as we'd expect. Free soup was available for dinner which was good for a starter. Free breakfast with waffles was a winner. Free WiFi was slow, but it was a wet day so I assume most were keeping themselves entertained. We traveled with a 1yo child and we felt welcomed during our stay.
8/10
Excellent
06 Mar 2017
Helen

Great price in Franz Josef

We booked a deluxe double room with bathroom. It was very clean and comfortable. The room was upstairs with a great view from the balcony. The bed was comfortable and the room had a tv and fridge. Free breakfast and soup at 6pm were included (get in fast for soup). We also took the opportunity to do some washing for $2. We're usually hotel goers but we really enjoyed our stay at this hotel and the staff were really helpful.
8/10
Excellent
05 Mar 2017
winston

Great and friendly hotel. Loved the free breakfast

This place was great and cozy. Our room had a fabulous view of the mountains and we loved the breakfast every morning. This definitely wasn't the nicest hotel we stayed at but that wasn't the point because that isn't their goal at this hotel. I felt like we had a great experience in Franz Josef because of this hotel. The employees strive very hard to make things the best they can be so thank you! Would stay again!
6/10
Pleasant
02 Mar 2017
Dhananjay53

More backpacker than motel

Nice enough rooms, couple of 100 meters away from action, friendly staff. More geared to young backpackers than middle aged, seniors. Self serve breakfast Ok as it was free. Tailet, shower - rather basic. Fridge, heater, TV, WiFi. So no complaints but was expecting a slightly more upmarket facility.
8/10
Excellent
01 Mar 2017
Verified traveler
The place was in a great handy location, close to cafe's and restaurants and only short drive to tourist attractions. The staff was very friendly. Would reccomend
8/10
Excellent
26 Feb 2017
Diane

good hostel accommodation

Decent hostel, double room was comfortable, easy access to town and glaciers
Partner
8/10
Excellent
24 Feb 2017
D

Different

A wacky place to stay for the baby boomer age group. Staff extremely helpful. Although there were a lot of people around, it was quiet. Good wifi,
Partner
2/10
Poor
20 Feb 2017
Verified traveler

Backpackers with horrible cleanliness

We had dirty sheets. The state of the shower was disgusting. Would not recommend
8/10
Excellent
10 Feb 2017
Verified traveler

Good place for the price.

Breakfast was better than usual for backpackers hostel, parking was a little tough to find, rooms were a little small......but I liked the manager, workers, cleanliness and price. Overall, good place for thrifty price!
8/10
Excellent
06 Feb 2017
Verified traveler

Good value. Some bumps in the road.

Great value. The guests are all friendly. Know that the free food offered is more of a snack at best. Also, forget about the WiFi. Only can connect at 10am and 2am due to the volume of people using it. Overall good value hostel.
10/10
Exceptional
03 Feb 2017
Verified traveler
its an nice experience with all the facilities and staff is very friendly.
2/10
Poor
30 Jan 2017
Dee

Horrible dirty room, small, loud

Disgusting dirty small room, out-dated, creepy photos of old men were in the bedroom, bathroom was disgusting and the window opened up straight to other rooms so people can see us using the toilet - we literally had to cover the windows with towels so people didn't see us. At 1am there were loud drunk people in the hallway. Very inconsiderate. Wifi was very slow. Didn't see or encounter any staff.
2/10
Poor
15 Jan 2017
V&O

Over-priced, grotty hostel

This place is very run-down and dirty, even by hostel standards. The room was barely big enough to fit the bed and there was a tiny cupboard with a shower and toilet in - with a door that didn't really shut properly. And the windows didn't shut either (some kind of slats) so all the bugs can come in (and the cold).

It wasn't particularly clean and hasn't been decorated for years by the looks of things.

Communal areas adequate but not very inviting.

8/10
Excellent
13 Jan 2017
Verified traveler

Cool place

Nice motel and nice staff. Nice gathering place and comunes place..!
8/10
Excellent
09 Jan 2017
Suzanne

Convenient hotel

For a hotel/hostel combination, the hotel was great. Not luxurious by any means but met the needs and was clean. Only slight negative was the unreliability of the wifi. Router needed to be reset frequently and there was none after the office closed.
Partner
8/10
Excellent
17 Dec 2016
Verified traveler

Nice and easy going place

Nice and easy going place. Free soup every evening was nice bonus :)
8/10
Excellent
30 Nov 2016
Julie

Clean and comfy

Our room and bed was clean and comfy. Check in was friendly and easy. Breakfast was a little chaotic as the breakfast area is in a backpackers shared kitchen. There was shortage of spoons and bowls. Overall we enjoyed our stay though.
Partner

Location & surroundings

Chateau Backpacker Motels
8 Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

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Chateau Backpacker Motels

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