Chateau Backpacker & Motels

3.0 star property
Hostel in Franz Josef Glacier

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Chateau Backpacker & Motels

Lobby sitting area
Sun deck
Exterior
Property grounds
Spa

Reviews

7.6 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Laundry facilities
  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi

Main amenities (12)

  • Fitness centre
  • Hot tub
  • Limo/town car service
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Library
  • Reception fireplace
  • Front desk safe
  • Vending machine
  • Self-serve laundry
  • Picnic area
  • Barbecue grills

Feel at home (6)

  • Fridge
  • Television
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Laundry facilities
  • Coffee/tea maker

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 3 of 3 rooms

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

Highlights

Heating
Free cots/infant beds
Fridge
TV
Private bathroom
Shared/communal kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Motel Room

Highlights

Heating
Free cots/infant beds
Kitchenette
Fridge
TV
Shared/communal kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

4 Bed Dorm

Highlights

Heating
Fridge
TV
Shared/communal kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Single Beds

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About the area

Map
8 Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier, 7886

What's nearby

  • Westcoast Wildlife Centre - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Our Lady of the Alps - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • St James Anglican Church - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Waiho Hot Tubs - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Glacier Hot Pools - 7 min walk - 0.6 km

Getting around

  • Hokitika (HKK) - 95 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Snakebite - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Monsoon Restaurant at Rainforest - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Full of Beans - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪The Landing Restaurant & Bar - Franz Josef - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Alice May - ‬3 min walk

About this property

Chateau Backpacker & Motels

Chateau Backpacker & Motels is a great choice for a stay in Franz Josef Glacier. Guests can enjoy the fitness centre, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are nearby. Other highlights at this eco-friendly hostel include a hot tub, a terrace and a garden.

Languages

English

At a glance

Hotel size

  • 43 rooms

Arriving/Leaving

  • Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM
  • Minimum check-in age – 15
  • Check-out time is 11:00 AM

Restrictions related to your trip

  • Check COVID-19 restrictions

Special check-in instructions

  • The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
  • Front desk staffed during limited hours

Required at check-in

  • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
  • Government-issued photo ID may be required
  • Minimum check-in age is 15

Pets

  • Pets not allowed

Internet

  • Free WiFi in public areas
  • Free WiFi in rooms

Parking

  • Free on-site self-parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
  • On-site parking is limited
  • Free off-site parking nearby

Other information

  • Designated smoking areas

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Barbecue grills

What to do

  • Pool table
  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowshoeing nearby

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Limo or town car service
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage

Facilities

  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace
  • Library
  • Fireplace in reception
  • Television in common areas
  • Fitness centre
  • Hot tub

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • Television

Home comfort

  • Heating
  • Coffee/tea maker

Freshen up

  • Shower only
  • Hairdryer (on request)
  • Towels

Stay connected

  • Free WiFi

Food and drink

  • Fridge
  • Shared kitchen access

Special features

Awards and affiliations

Eco-certified property
This property participates in Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Award – a programme that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural heritage and the local economy.

Fees & policies

Policies

This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Cashless transactions are available.

Also known as

Chateau Franz Franz Josef Glacier
Chateau Backpacker & Motels Franz Josef Glacier
Chateau Franz Hostel Franz Josef Glacier
Chateau Backpacker & Motels Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Frequently asked questions

Are pets allowed at Chateau Backpacker & Motels?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Chateau Backpacker & Motels?
Yes, there's free self parking. Parking spaces may be limited.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Chateau Backpacker & Motels?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
What is there to do at Chateau Backpacker & Motels and nearby?
Have fun with nearby winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Relax in the hot tub or enjoy the use of other amenities, which include a fitness centre and a picnic area. Chateau Backpacker & Motels also has a garden.
What's the area around Chateau Backpacker & Motels like?
Chateau Backpacker & Motels is a short 7-minute walk from Glacier Hot Pools and 3 minutes' walk from Westcoast Wildlife Centre.

Chateau Backpacker & Motels Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

7.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Very good

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.
Emily, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Had everything we needed
Gordon, 3-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

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.
Mrinali, 2-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very good

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.
Callum, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

LONG, 2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very good

It was we expected from previous reviews. The motel room was smaller than expected. There were no places to hang clothes
Malcolm, 3-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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
shani, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Sarah, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

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.
Matt, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Cherith, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Rob, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Cool place to stay for a short visit. Everything is at a walkable distance.
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
Amy, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Great price
fraser, 1-night trip
Verified Wotif guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
4-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Loved the Hospitality &Staff very informative &helpfull..Awsome Stay looking forward &happily recommend this Motel/Hotel/Backpackers...
Magdalena, 4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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.
rod, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Shared kitchen, pancakes included for breakfast and soup for dinner included
David, 3-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

very helpful and obliging owner.great spacious room
Trish, 1-night romance trip
Verified Wotif guest review

10/10 Exceptional

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
Susan, 2-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

1-night trip
Verified Wotif guest review

6/10 Good

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
Carol, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

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.
1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review