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Ponsonby Backpackers Reviews

2 franklin rd , ponsonby , auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Reviews & Ratings Explained

91%Overall Rating

From 45 ratings
  • 93%Character
  • 89%Security
  • 90%Location
  • 95%Staff
  • 89%Atmosphere
  • 92%Cleanliness

The following reviews were submitted by customers who booked in the last 6 months.

The reviews and ratings in the rating box are based on all-time feedback and are the opinions of the customers who submitted them and do not express the opinions of Hostelworld.com. This way, you get an up to the minute opinion of just how good a hostel really is. Read our review guidelines »

We now classify our reviewers based on how well travelled they are.

  • Novice Nomad: 1-10 Reviews Added
  • Avid Traveller: 10-20 Reviews Added
  • Globetrotter : 20+ Reviews Added
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87%

Thank you for a wonderful stay. I was here for one night on my way back to Christchurch. The staff here are very friendly - that probably impressed me the most and of course, it's in an amazing location. I had a nice leisurely stroll walking down Ponsonby Road and then down Karangahape Road then to Queens Street. Shopping around this area was so much fun. Will definitely recommend.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 05 May 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Japan
  • Female, 25-30
  • (3 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this awesome feedback! So lovely to meet you, hope you will come and stay with us again on your next trip to Auckland! Take care, Cheers The Pb Team

100%

Pretty much the best place I have ever stayed! Thanks Ponsonby Staff esp Holly, Made this home sick American traveler feel at home again.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 25 Apr 2013
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male, 25-30
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
LOVE the feedback, you were a very cool guest! You are welcome to come back to your home away from home anytime :-) So make sure you stop by on your next visit to Auckland! Cheers, Holly

97%

Staff are sharp and attentive to details. They were also very quick to respond to our booking changes. Nicely run operation, and we'd definitely stay here again if in Auckland.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 12 Apr 2013
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male, 41+
  • (1 review)


93%

Great hostel to post up at before your NZ journey. Walk to and from skytower wasn't even bad either!! Restaurants in Ponsonby were awesome too. Good community feel here and a lot of people staying here for extended time.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 29 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male, 25-30
  • (2 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hey William, Thanks for the awesome comments! We are stoked that you enjoyed your stay with us and hope to see you here again in the future, Cheers Holly (Manager)

80%

Really friendly atmosphere! I had a good time there!

  • Novice Nomad
  • 28 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • France
  • Female, 25-30
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thanks Camille, hope to see you again next time you're in Auckland ;-)

77%

I think the bathroom/shower/ toilet need to be upgraded, they are very small and narrow, not enough space to put things, not easy to get in/out shower.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 28 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Female, 41+
  • (1 review)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thank you for taking the time to leave us some feedback, we really appreciate it. We are currently looking at upgrading our bathrooms and are aware that they are not ideal. However we do clean them very regularly and try to keep them in as good a state as we can :-)

93%

Lovely Atmoshere, I like the historical building! It is close to everything, supermarket, Ponsonby central,... But the upstairs bathroom is very small and there aren`t enough hooks or hangers in the shower to put your clothes on.

  • Avid Traveller
  • 27 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Belgium
  • Female, 25-30
  • (20 reviews)


97%

Although we only stayed only for 1 night, leave very early in the next morning. Still, we received a great, warm, cheerful help from their staff. Ponsonby close to everything, easy to get food, easy to get to the supermarket. We have a clean double room, with a bathroom just out of our door. The room is value for money with large space and both of me and my husband like the fancy sofa in room. We highly recommend Ponsonby to everyone who want to visit Auckland!

  • Novice Nomad
  • 26 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Hong Kong
  • Couple, 25-30
  • (1 review)


83%

Very friendly and helpful staff. Double room had a very comfortable bed, would have been better with bedside lights. Enjoyed visit but bathrooms were tiny - very cramped getting into toilets and showers because of the way the doors are hung.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 23 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • England
  • Couple, 41+
  • (2 reviews)


87%

Reception was great. The room was nice and spacious, a bit more light would have made it better. Bathroom was OK. Quiet and beautiful neighbourhood, not too far from CBD.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 18 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Argentina
  • Male, 25-30
  • (1 review)


100%

Beautiful in every way xx

  • Novice Nomad
  • 16 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • England
  • Female, 25-30
  • (1 review)


97%

Best hostel for me so far, super friendly and professional staff, absolutely clean, great kitchen and cosy TV room, very nice garden and chill-out area. Everything was just perfect, thanks very much!!!!

  • Novice Nomad
  • 12 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Female, 31-40
  • (8 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thank you so much for your lovely comments, we are really happy that you enjoyed your stay with us. Please make sure to visit us again on your next trip to Auckland :-)

97%

Extremely nice hostel, great staff who were very helpful, great kitchen and lounge and outside area. The only problem we had was that the double room we booked was right over the kitchen so quite noisy and the room was too hot. Other than that a great place to stay.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 03 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • England
  • Couple, 25-30
  • (4 reviews)


90%

Staff was very willing to go above and beyond to provide us help when our travel plans got disrupted. Willing to offer advice on transportation or any activities in the area.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 01 Mar 2013
  • Anonymous
  • USA
  • Male, 18-24
  • (6 reviews)


70%

The place is located in a good area, close to lots of nice cafes and bars. Everyone goes to bed at 10PM though and there is no social side to the place, you will be woken up at 9AM every day (like I was) with a guy cleaning and changing beds over despite the check out time being 10PM. Its fine if you just want to sleep somewhere clean and good location but dont expect any party atmosphere or a sleep in.

  • Avid Traveller
  • 23 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Australia
  • Male, 18-24
  • (13 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Hi Tomas, Thanks for taking the time to leave this review. I would just like to comment on some of your points. Firstly we are not and never will be a party hostel and we do not market ourselves this way. We do however host nights for our guests such as Monday nights at our local bar for dinner and drink specials and host other event nights and BBQ's for guests to enjoy. We are a stones throw away from Ponsonby Rd which is filled with bars, if looking to go out then that's the place to be. In regards to our cleaner waking you up; you were booked into a shared room, so if beds have been checked out of then our cleaner does make the beds from 9am, this is not an unusual occurrence within hostels and not an unreasonable time. The cleaner is however always quiet and will not vacuum the room until after 10am or later if guests are still sleeping. We are a budget hostel however we have very high standards of cleanliness and maintain our hostel to the best of our abilities, sorry you did not feel this was done so in a manner preferable to yourself. We have won awards for best staff and atmosphere, though this is something you have scored us lower on. We hope you will give us another chance on your next trip to Auckland, you did extend your original booking while you were here so we can't have been that bad ;-) Thanks again for leaving your feedback, we always are looking to improve. Many Thanks Holly

90%

Great hostel, located very close to the heart of Ponsonby and a 15m bus trip to the city. Highly recommend.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 22 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Australia
  • Male, 25-30
  • (2 reviews)


93%

Great hostel for backpackers travelling alone. The hostel has everything you need and the staff is super helpful booking everything for you. The only annoying thing is, that there is no free internet, but that is common in NZ.

  • Avid Traveller
  • 16 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Male, 31-40
  • (13 reviews)


100%

Great place to stay. Very nice people, clean (cleanest place I have stayed yet and I have been in NZ for over a month now), very helpful staff, and pretty good location.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 13 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Canada
  • Female, 18-24
  • (1 review)


90%

Nice rooms and excellent staff. Restrooms are not that great, but nothing you wouldn't be able to live with!

  • Avid Traveller
  • 07 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Finland
  • Female, 25-30
  • (11 reviews)


90%

A very friendly, comfortable and welcoming place, in a lovely quarter of town. Very well equipped kitchen. Staff very helpful answering questions and giving information.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 06 Feb 2013
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • , 25-30
  • (1 review)


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