About City Garden Lodge
This four-star hostel is part of a historic villa that was once occupied by the Queen of Tonga and is surrounded by trees and lawns, with plenty of birdlife.
A mix of private and dorm-style rooms are available at the City Garden Lodge. Features include free Wi-Fi, storage lockers, fans, and a work desk. Bathroom facilities are shared among guests.
Facilities include covered bicycle storage, guest laundry area, a common lounge, and spacious gardens. There’s also a business centre with a public computer terminal and free on-street parking.
Free tea and coffee are served at the City Garden Lodge. There is also an outdoor barbecue area and equipped communal kitchen so residents can prepare their own meals.
Located on the fringe of Auckland’s business centre, this hostel is within easy walking distance from art galleries and upmarket shopping. Next door is Auckland’s largest city park as well, plus a bus link that can take guests easily into the heart of the city.
Positive Reviews
positive:
Charming and comfortable property.
Formerly this property was used an ambassador's residence, so there is a lot of history and charm found throughout. This includes a garden area and decor which has been chosen along with furnishings to ensure comfortable stays.
positive:
Hostel has a central setting.
As part of Auckland's business district, many of the rooms at this hostel have great urban views. It is also easy to get to the downtown area thanks to a nearby bus stop, or patron shops and restaurants in the area on foot.
positive:
Relaxed atmosphere is found throughout.
This hostel has some great communal areas and a low-key atmosphere. As a result, it is easy to mingle with other guests and share stories or local information in a casual setting.
Negative Reviews
negative:
Not everyone will be able to find parking.
Despite advertising dedicated parking, people staying at this hostel will have to use public spaces. While the on-street parking is free, it can be challenging to find a spot during peak times.
negative:
Reception services need improvement.
Hours of service at the reception desk vary, and aren't really advertised properly. Not only can this be inconvenient, but when the desk is open then staff do a poor job at multi-tasking and seem overwhelmed if given more than one job at a time.
negative:
Some areas could use a better cleaning.
Some spots of this hostel can be grimy, according to reviews. Areas that are most commonly found to have issues include the communal kitchen and shared bathroom facilities.