Hotel Give (Christchurch, New Zealand)

Guests loved the central location of this Christchurch hostel, which is set close to a number of local sites, including the famous Peacock Fountain, the city’s botanical gardens and the University of Otago. Many were keen to note that – while officially a hostel – this property had a distinctly hotel-like feel.

This property offers an array of solid amenities and facilities, something that added to the overall guest experience. The on-site gym, café, restaurant and availability of a Wi-Fi network were great perks, but for guests, it was this property’s free off-street parking that was most highly praised.

The staff at this hostel are unfailingly friendly and helpful, with the reception team consistently singled out for praise. Finally, guests were happy to find that the bathroom facilities here were not only plentiful, but kept to a sparkling standard.

Those whose rooms were near bathroom or laundry facilities reported that noise was a problem in their units. The situation was exacerbated by the doors at this hostel, which are prone to snapping and even slamming shut when being closed.

Wi-Fi is available here for an additional fee. This was a point of contention for most guests and those who opted to purchase the service were disappointed to note that the connection was at best intermittent. A lack of toiletries was also an issue, with many unhappy to find that this property did not provide shampoo or even soap to guests.

Self-caterers found the kitchen area here to be small, especially for such a high-capacity building. Many guests also commented that this property seemed to be lacking in character.