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Sparky's Reviews

271 Tay Street Invercargill, PO Box 1572 Invercargill, Invercargill, New Zealand

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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 »

Reviews of Sparky's

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70%

Please do not forward this comment to the backpackers. This just for hostelworld: We found it a bit strange, that the backpackers is in the managers flat. There is one kitchen with a small table with four chairs, but around 20 beds.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 18 Jan 2012
  • Anonymous
  • Switzerland
  • Female 31-40
  • (7 reviews)


66%

Homely kind of feel, only small no eftpos facilities. Kitchen, lounge area and washing facilities. Quiet but friendly Sparky always up for a chat.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 30 Dec 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Australia
  • Female 18-24
  • (5 reviews)


100%

I stayed here 2 different times and I really loved it. Lovely atmosphere, Sparky makes yourself at home, it's clean, beautiful surroundings, perfectly managed (try the delicious chococake and tell me). The location is great too, especially to get Stewart Island If u care. This is a great hostel indeed!! You can either really stay on your own, using the cooking facilities or enjoy the night with the Invercargill dishes. If 1 day I can back to N.Z. I'll back to Sparky's surely, no other worths!!!

  • Novice Nomad
  • 06 Dec 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Italy
  • Male 25-30
  • (1 review)


53%

We over paid by $10 (forgetting we had paid the 10% on Hostel World). Spoke to Sparky about it whose response was that he didn't get any money from HW so we still had to pay 100%. He didn't seem to understand that we don't pay 110% of the price. He did offer us $10 saying 'the customer is always right', not because he understood we were actually right. We didn't take it as we felt it would leave an uncomfortable atmosphere. Quite dirty, tiny kitchen but good security and comfy room.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 23 Nov 2011
  • Anonymous
  • England
  • Couple 18-24
  • (2 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
uncomfortable atmosphere,sorry I didnt deal with it properly,when you arrived you had booked 2 beds in the dorm room ,then asked if you could upgrade to the double which is $60.00 for the room per nite,which i did.I know its no excuse but I am trying to run my business by myself,ie the business side of things,making beds and cleaning,however I have just hired some staff for the summer months.Things have been very quiet,economic situations around the world,lack of customers,slow start to season.Yes the kitchen is tiny the plan is to expand,in the future if demand arises,as above conditions improve.sorry for any inconvience this has caused,cheers sparkys

100%

That is such a nice play to stay ! you feel like home ! its a lot of fun and the decoration is wonderful ! there are toys everywhere and surprises all over ! and Sparky's chocolate cake !!! mmmmmm yummy !!! :D Is the best thing at Invercargill ! Go there !

  • Novice Nomad
  • 06 Nov 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Argentina
  • Female 18-24
  • (1 review)


100%

I just stay a night at Sparky`s Hostel and I can just say it was amazing. I am travelling on my own and in this Hostel you feel not alone it is like joining a family. We had a lot of fun while making the worlds famous choclatcake:D I have stayed in verry mutch Hostels and Sparkys is unique. If you are in New Zealand you can`t miss this experience. I was a bit sad when I left because it is just a amazing atmosphere. I hope I can arrange another stay. Maybe the Spa pool is ready when I came back:D

  • Novice Nomad
  • 30 Oct 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Germany
  • Male 18-24
  • (1 review)


100%

It was my first night in New Zealand. Sparky himself is a very approachable and extremely helpful. The hostel has a strong homely feel thanks to being a converted house, creating a strong atmosphere and making it easy for the solo traveler to socialise and get to know others. Had a great night staying in the hostel simply chatting away to fellow guests, a good kitchen to cook dinner with plenty of kitchen appliances to assist. The bed's are comfrotable and the internet is fast and accessible.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 29 Oct 2011
  • Anonymous
  • England
  • Male 25-30
  • (5 reviews)


46%

Nice people but definitely requires a renovation. The spiders in the room really put me off this place!

  • Avid Traveller
  • 23 Oct 2011
  • Anonymous
  • New Zealand
  • Mixed Group 25-30
  • (11 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
THANKS FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS REVIEW,I ASKED MY DAUGHTER TO PUT HER SPIDER COLLECTION AWAY AFTER ,THE REVIEW CAME THROUGH,5000 other guests have enjoyed the place,cheers have a happy day

20%

room booked was a twin, but on arrival the only room available was a double. in order to get 2 beds we had to sleep in a dorm but were still charged for the double room. had no choice but to accept because everywhere else was already full. hostel was no more than a run down house with lots of extra beds put in

  • Novice Nomad
  • 14 Sep 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Scotland
  • Male 25-30
  • (1 review)


100%

Bags of character. This is what hostels should be like. Quirky, laid back, a bit rough around the edges but makes you feel like you're at home. Excellent!

  • Globetrotter
  • 31 Aug 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Wales
  • Male 25-30
  • (42 reviews)


80%

Sparky's is a quirky little place run by the safety-conscious Sparky. It's still partly under construction (hot tub, extra shower facilities) but is an easy walk to groceries, restaurants, etc. The "World famous chocolate cake" is as promised: an experience unto itself. It's part performance art, part audience participation, and part cooking show so be sure to come with a sense of humour.

  • Novice Nomad
  • 24 Aug 2011
  • Anonymous
  • Canada
  • Female 31-40
  • (8 reviews)

Owner Comment (Show)
Thankyou for your comments,I am pleased to let you know that the back bathroom has been renovated ie gibbed,plastered,painted,and am waiting on a quote from vinyl layer to lay the vinyl in and around the new shower.hopefully this will be all done in the next few weeks,(finances prevailing)as for the hot tub,we are running behind on time and finances and for this reason have not advertised the spa at all.Once it is fully operational we will be having a pool party and advertising it as open.cheers sparky and co

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
View all Invercargill Hostels
  • 80%

  • Overall Rating
  • From 16 ratings
  • 80%Character
  • 84%Security
  • 79%Location
  • 83%Staff
  • 79%Fun
  • 78%Cleanliness

Latest Review

  • 18 Jan 2012 (70%)
  • Please do not forward this comment to the backpackers. This just for hostelworld: We found it a bit strange, that the ...
  • Read more...
  • Anonymous

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