Hanmer Springs

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Le Gite

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Red Mezz
Red Mezz
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
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1
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Editor Pick

Le Gite - The Best Little Hostel in New Zealand....

  • January 23, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Red Mezz from Inverness, Scotland
Le Gite - The Best Little Hostel in New Zealand....

In the year I spent in New Zealand - and after realizing what was the standard cost of accomodation - I visited a lot of hostels and backpackers. But easily, by quite a long stretch,my favourite was Le Gite in Hanmer Springs.
The price is pretty comprable to other hostels in New Zealand, though surprisingly on the lower end of the scale given the location and the quality. It is best suited for those with a car or some transportation as it's a few minutes drive off the main street, but still a very easy distance and just far enough to get a very pleasant amount of seclusion.

It sits just outside of town in a little neighbourhood, and surrounded by the beautiful mountains around Hanmer Springs. And where many hostels have a tendancy to have a low rent feel to them, Le Gite is like a great little bed and breakfast. The staff are very friendly and pleasant and though there is a very homey feel to the place, it is also very well and professionally run - a combination that is hard to find.
The kitchen and communal areas are very relaxed and friendly. The kitchen, though small, is suitable for the size of the hostel. YOu may have to wait your turn to use it, but it's very nice and very well equipt, with a good array of spices and fresh eggs you can purchase from a local farm. And after having to cook in communal kitchens for a year, I discovered it's much better to wait for your turn and have a kitchen to yourself, than to try and share and cook along with others trying to do the same. But there are a selection of large tables and picnic tables out on the patio to sit and enjoy a meal.

The rooms don't have televisions, but there is one in the sitting room if you decide to share your evening with the other guests, and on a winter night enjoy the good open fire, as well.


The dorms are small and neatly kept - but I can highly recommend paying the slightly higher rate for the double ensuites (at $68) which were excellent. Just about the best room we stayed at at any point in our time in New Zealand, and easily the best for the money.

The rooms are in a separate area outside from the main building - each with it's own little patio/porch and visits from the friendly house cat. The rooms are very, very clean and well equipt an well put together. The decor is very nice and up to date and the ensuites have very nice private bathrooms, and the rooms themseives come with a sink and kettle.

The hostel itself is just a few minutes from the main street of town and the hotpools - and over all I could not rate this place highly enough. A top hostel option in Hanmer Springs and New Zealand.

From journal Hanmer Springs - Great Winter Getaway

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