Auckland Central Backpackers (Hotels in Auckland)

Member Name: dino-blu

Product:	Hotels in Auckland
Date:	08/03/01 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Travel service, location, range of rooms, cafe

Disadvantages: Too big and impersonal, Too noisy, Communal toilets/showers

As a traveller on a very tight budget many people had recommended that on arrival in New Zealand I made the ACB hostel my first port of call and as I walked through the doors into the heaving reception I was not disappointed.
Okay, so this sort of accommodation is far from everyone's idea of a holiday but if you want meet people easily, get advice on travel and other highlights around New Zealand, be centrally placed in the heart of the city and pay less than £10 a night then you can't go wrong.
Rooms range from the cattleshed-esque dorms to the rather nicer, cleaner and quiter 4-bed, double and single rooms, well worth the extra couple of dollars if you plan on sleeping while you're there. Bathroom facilities are not up to scratch - insufficient for the no. of people, communal, unisex and constantly in need of a clean - if you're concerned about cleanliness I definitely recommend paying more for a room with en suite.
ACB was probably the biggest hostel I stayed in during an entire year away and while this does have disadvatages of impersonality it also means that there is a huge bar upstairs with nightly pool competitions, a small cinema, excellent cafe with huge (and very cheap) portions.
By far the biggest advantage in my opinion though was the travel service they offer. Once you manage to speak to someone with half a brain (admittedly this was a little challenging) they're full of excellent tips and advice and can book onward travel and lots of tours/attractions at discouted rates.
Plus with the location just off the central shopping street and close to loads of bars and coffee houses you really can't go wrong.

Summary: