Hotel YHA Auckland City (Auckland, New Zealand)

The welcome couldn’t be warmer and everywhere is so clean, comfortable … and reassuring. In many similarly based operations, the kitchen can be a real downturn and a blight on the visit. Here, though, the kitchen is modern, attractive and features all the utensils, etc; that you could need. There’s not much trouble here but when situations start to build, the way staff members deal with them leaves you full of admiration for them – and with confidence in your own safety.

The relaxation areas are attractive and comfortable and encourage you to mingle with other guests. Everywhere is spotlessly clean, including the sun deck. Wi-Fi is good and reliable.

This is a central location in New Zealand’s largest and most buzzing city. That said, the noise factor isn’t a major stumbling block. From here, there are shops and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Another one of many pluses is that the airport bus leaves from nearby – the front desk people will advise detail. This isn’t nearly as expensive as a taxi.

Rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors look out over a busy street. There are plenty of floors here and the higher you go, the quieter the rooms become.

Dormitories are on the small side and really quite ‘compact’. Some beds are in the form of bunks – not everyone’s cup of tea.

The place can get surprisingly cold and there are some room features – beds in particular – that are very much on the dated side. The refurbishment programme, though, should hopefully rectify these things.