Atomic Shuttle delivered us to the driveway of the hostel perched on a hill. We were welcomed by a gorgeous profusion of colorful flowers landscaped around the tidy two-story balconied Ivory Towers. We passed a couple of tents pitched in the lawn and entered the office of the busy little place. Dale, the proprietor, checked us in while we took in the variety of options for guests.
A cafe across the hall was open for all three meals, bikes and laundry services were available for hire, and a spa could be used for free. A community room filled with a televison, computer, couches and bookshelves filled with games, books, CDs, and videos looked potentially noisy, but although busy was never detectable behind closed doors.
Our room was decorated with a tropical, festive flair. Brightly patterned beach inspired bedspreads covered the double and two twins in the spacious sunny room. White wicker chairs sat next to a wide picture window looking out on vivid green ferns and semi-tropical plants smack up against the glass. The facing wall was also glass in the form of a sliding door leading to a patio. Nice. A large dresser, televison, and closet -— although unused -— were present. Colorful fish, shells and plants decorated the adjoining bathroom which had a spotless shower and another picture window looking out onto the rainforest.
Our ensuite room cost NZ$70 ($35 US), but other private rooms cost NZ$30 single or NZ$44 double if you share a bathroom. Dorms cost NZ$18 per bunk. Pitching a tent is also an option, but why bother when you can get quiet, comfortable rooms for the price of dinner?
Location of this hostel is great! It sits on a little hill one street behind main street. Just half a block away are two cafes and the Information Centre, where you can observe glow worms after 10pm through the back door. Down the hill to the right across the street is the Alpine Guide Tour Operator which organizes all heli-hikes, scenic flights and glacier walks to Fox Glacier. A few blocks further are two outstanding restaurants and a grocery store (bus stop). Down the hill to the left 5 minutes away is the trailhead for the creepy-ya-gotta-see-this Minnehaha Rainforest.
You can walk anywhere in the village in 10 minutes tops.
Lake Matheson is three miles out of town. Walk or rent one of the available bikes for NZ$4 per hour or NZ$20 per day.
If full (reserve in advance) check out other Fox accommodations:
Heart of the village:
Fox Glacier (NZ$130+)
Glacier County Hotel (NZ$150+)
Te Weheki (NZ$174+)
Rainforest Motel (NZ$70+)
Fox Glacier Lodge (NZ$80+)
Rural mountain view five minute walk from town:
Mt. Cook View (NZ$80+)
Fox Glacier Motel (NZ$70+)