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Reviews of Chateau Backpackers & Motels

8-10 Cron Street, 7856 Franz Josef, New Zealand

#33 of 33 hotels in Franz Josef

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 714 hostel reviews

7.3

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    6.9

  • Comfort

    7.1

  • Location

    9.1

  • Facilities

    7.3

  • Staff

    9.0

  • Value for money

    7.6

  • Free WiFi

    7.6

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 31 August 2025

    8.0
    Friendly and helpful staff. Spacious communal space. Affordable price. Great location.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 5-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 7 nights

    The bed not comfortable enough because of the broken mattress springs. The TP-Link WiFi router seemed to be hijacked by hackers that resulted in Internet connection being disrupted from time to time. It's recommended the router be replaced with a reputable brand, which is an one-off cost and may hugely improve guests' experience with safe and stable internet connection.

    Good location. Spacious kitchen. Friendly staff.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 June 2025

    8.0
    Everything is good, the room is cheap, but the only downside is that the Wi-Fi doesn't work.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Wi-Fi is not working

    Value for money accommodation

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 May 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Not very clean linen and tea towel in kitchen also smelly and not clean

    Location

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 27 April 2025

    8.0
    Great location and value for money.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Friendly staff, great location (walkable to town and restaurants)

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 April 2025

    7.0
    Reasonable accommodation and as expected for backpackers
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    Property was full with international students who were really noisy until midnight despite 9pm quiet hours. Room being located under the common area didn't help. Wifi not working. Window latches broken

    Good location, well equipped Kitchen. Clean private room

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: 23 March 2025

    7.0
    Comfortable very low cost quiet place with generous host
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 5-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The spa pool was really scary dirty

    Very comfortable bed loved the curtain Some basic things for cooking there although I had my own and didn't need it was generous Great rubbish waste system Great art

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 14 March 2025

    8.0
    Basic accommodation with good facilities
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Difficult to carry luggage up the stairs to access the rooms The room furnishings were fairly basic

    Convenient location Room facilities were good Helpful staff

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 13 March 2025

    7.0
    Okay not great
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Room was not altogether clean with dust and bits of rubbish under the bed. Flashing party lights outside room shone into room. Angle parking was a challenge to negotiate when car park was full.

    Good location and reasonably priced

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 11 March 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    Price a little steep.

    Double room with table and chairs PLUS a coffee pod machine with a couple of pods provided

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 March 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Bed in 5-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    Beds on the second level could have some barrier in order to not to be afraid to fall down. :D The bathroom was not super clean.

    Good location for the Franz Josef glacier. Instructions for late check-in clear. Very nice common space, the kitchen was well equiped. Receptionist very nice and helpful.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 2 March 2025

    6.0
    Good budget choice where comfort is not a priority.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    A little dated.

    Close to toes. Centre.

    Stayed in March 2025

  • Reviewed: 27 February 2025

    7.0
    Basic but comfortable, if sparse, room in a great location with a an outstanding reception staff
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Twin Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Small room (perhaps should have expected this of a "backpackers" hotel). No place to hang coats. Hooks on walls would make a huge difference. Few amenities. Cobwebs in high corners and dirt around perimeter of carpet suggest thorough cleaning is not dine regularly. Reception closes from 12-2 each day. I do not recall reading that we wouldn't have access to reception at that time.

    The front desk man was awesome! Helpful, friendly.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 25 February 2025

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    A bit shabby, bathrooms need updating but good price

    Great location and friendly service, lots of useful tips

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 19 February 2025

    7.0
    Good value, great host!
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Standard Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The lodging itself was old and tired.

    The host was AMAZING - lots of good advice regarding hikes, restaurants and tours. He was on his own running the entier lodge and was always happy and ready to help his customers.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 16 February 2025

    7.0
    Peaceful and quirky and bomb as muffins!!!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Could do with new teatowels and the shower was ether hot as or cold no in the middle. But all and all I do recommend this place. I'll be back.

    Loved how they put out fresh cakes and scones every day. They were freshly baked and free for all.

    Stayed in February 2025

  • Reviewed: 31 January 2025

    8.0
    It was the last accommodation available for a last minute trip on NYE. Suited out needs perfectly.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Studio
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was a very busy period and parking was tight. Bathroom and decor in need of an upgrade but it was priced and marketed accordingly.

    Great location for our needs. Proprietor was friendly and helpful. Condition of the property was to be expected as priced accordingly. Comfortable bed.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 January 2025

    7.0
    We survived.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The location and staff.

    The room was pretty dark and scent was overpowering, with a strong chemical odor that gradually triggered allergic reactions in one child and two adults.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 10 January 2025

    8.0
    Great staff, great location, good price, scruffy accommodation
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It is all a bit scruffy, like staying in bad student accomodation with old carpets, dusty corners and stained tea towels.

    Member of staff was so helpful and friendly. I like that there were laundry facilities on site with racks to allow clothing to dry.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 7 January 2025

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    My room was quite dusty and overall the place was not super clean. Still acceptable though.

    Very nice chalet-like buildings. Host super friendly and helpful. Good position, you can reach the major trails on foot.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 4 January 2025

    6.0
    Pleasant
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Old. Very budget for the price.

    Close to town, Well stocked kitchens.

    Stayed in January 2025

  • Reviewed: 31 December 2024

    7.0
    A short holiday in Franz Josef
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Shower room is quite small.

    The friendly and helpful staff and location is strategic.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 30 December 2024

    8.0
    Excellent location and friendly staff.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Standard Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Duvet was very old and discoloured. Found lots of cobwebs in the room. No air con / fan available at night when it was hot.

    Great location, friendly atmosphere

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 15 December 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Standard Double Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Wish the shower had a door instead of a curtain, the floor was often flooded after a shower.

    Very cute room, close to everything. Chris, the receptionist is very knowledgeable about the area and has very good recommendations for hikes and activities.

    Stayed in December 2024

  • Reviewed: 9 December 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bed in 6-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    A short drive from where the hiking tracks start. The beds were very nice, you even got a curtain. The staff is incredibly friendly and happy to advise you on any hikes.

    Stayed in December 2024

Showing 1 – 25

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