Name: Cromwell Backpackers
Address: 33 The Mall, Cromwell 9310, New Zealand, Cromwell, Cromwell, Cromwell, 9310, New Zealand
Rating: 9

Shopping on site

Smoke-free property

Heating

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Adults Only

General

Non-smoking rooms

Linens

Rooms

Accessibility features

Accessibility

Iron and board

Laundry

Services and amenities

Common kitchen

Meals

Internet

Library

Bike rental

Hiking

Fishing

Recreation

Parking

Free Parking on Premises

Beach/pool towels

Pool and beach

Windsurfing

Cycling

Sports

Ski passes available

Skiing

Winter sports

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Queenstown Airport

Cromwell Backpackers

Cromwell

No reply when I tried to call so went straight there. Very comfy, very clean, good value, the owner was very obliging. Slept very well. Would definitely stay again. Particularly love the quietness, but was lucky that including myself we were only three in a dorm for ten!

Perfect for the tired traveller

Thx for a great stay. Very friendly and welcoming, would recommend. Great location easy walking access to Cromwell town centre, and an easy car ride to Queenstown, Wanaka, Clyde. Cromwell is beautiful, plenty of walks, bike rides and lake access.

Awesome backpackers

only stayed one night,  bed was comfortable, the room was warm and the people were welcoming.  Nice and relaxed, the night I was there the guests were all playing the instruments available in the lounge which was entertaining - I have no musical talent so just chatted to other guests and hosts while listening. I'd recommend Cromwell Backpackers as a great budget option, central to everything you need in Cromwell, easy to find and if staying longer plenty to keep you entertained.

Comfortable and friendly

Nice enough for a night. However, when we arrived an hour or two early, which was agreed with the owner. On arrival, we were given a lovely, newly decorated room however it was not quite finished. As we had arrived before the check in time ( 3pm), we did not mind and only wanted to drop off our things. We came back at around 4/5 and the room was still not finished, which was a bit problematic as we wanted to shower. Instead, we cooked and had dinner but it still took the entire length of that time to get the blinds put up in our room. Still, was a very nice bed and a friendly enough place.

Interesting people!

One of the best hostels I’ve EVER stayed at in New Zealand! Really feels like home. Friendly vibe! The owner, Darren, is outgoing and friendly. He goes to every length to make guests feel comfortable and welcome, even finds people jobs in the area. During my stay I enjoyed a potluck dinner with many of the guests, everyone cooked something from their home country. Then we all enjoyed the hostel’s many instruments in the lounge! There were guitars, keyboard, ukuleles, drums, etc. Big flat screen TV with Netflix! Just overall a clean, welcoming, comfortable atmosphere. Superb location too! Right in the center of town and a 30 second walk from the supermarket, gyms, restaurants, and nightlife. There is also a swim center and a great park right across the road. There is also a fenced in outdoor area with a BBQ, wish I would've come in summer! If I’m ever back in Cromwell I will definitely stay here again. I highly recommend Cromwell Backpackers!

Wonderful place to stay! Feels like home

pros: espresso machine, help finding a job in the area, familial vibe
cons: i felt kinda sketched out by the owner befriending young girls traveling alone, the hostel is small and it felt like there was no place in the hostel where i could go without socializing

a little bit good, a little bit not so good

This place does not at all feel like a hostel!  It feels like home! Owner is super nice and helpful, place is beautiful and clean!  Best part : free coffee from an actual machine! Simply amazing! Free and fast Wi-Fi! Location is gorgeous with free parking and just a short walk to all the shops! It seems pricey but it's definitely worth it! 

Hostel or home? 

There seem to be mixed reviews on here but during my stay, I found the place to be clean and tidy. I had a great sleep... eventually after the girl in the bunk beneath me took her phone call outside. The behaviour of other guests doesn’t reflect the hostel so I can’t fault the hostel itself. Loved that there were so many power sockets. My only negative is that there wasn’t a lot of fridge space. 

Just What I Needed

Here’s my personal experience: 

I went to the backpacker and it’s the worst ever. Reason: I booked for female dorm but was given mixed dorm. The entire place was Extremely dirty and messy. Bed was in a mess and the staff said he will make the bed for me (I arrived at 4pm). The people who stayed in this hostel are weird. They gave me a stare when I stepped in and when I looked back, they smile at me (this gives me goosebumps). 
The staff who works there was drinking alcohol while working (I have never see this before at other sites). 

I then decided not to stay and did a last minute booking else where via booking.com at a much higher cost. 

I asked the staff nicely if I can cancel the accommodation without charges (I’m aware that cancellation is not allowed). He called the boss (owner) and boss has verbally agreed to his staff that I won’t be charged and requested me to cancel the accommodation via booking.com. 

well, upon my returned home, I learnt that I was charged. I reached out to booking.com and also the hostel via email. Hostel (ignored my email) and booking.com mentioned that they can’t reached the owner a couple of times and they did not even follow up since. 

End result: I was charged. No refund. Without any stay and lesson was learnt. The reviews here, I seriously have doubt. I echo the last reviewer. 

Please read. This happened in nov 2018. 

Granted, it's the only backpackers in Cromwell I think so if you are definitely going there then this is your lot, but I didn't really enjoy my stay.

Pros:

- The bed and linen were super comfy, I slept like a baby

- Shower was pretty good as well, I thought it was a bit weird we were asked to wipe them down after but I don't mind too much

- Free wifi, works pretty well

- Great location in the heart of everything, including being close to a tremendous bar

Cons:

- The kitchen was extremely cluttered and didn't seem very clean. It seems a lot of the guests, at least over the winter period, are long-termers who have gotten used to being able to leave there stuff everywhere (I have been guilty of the same crime when I get used to a hostel), but it was really unpleasant given I was only staying overnight. Even in the morning, the kitchen was a tip

- Lack of cleanliness all-round. The bed had hairs and dirt on it, hallway was cluttered with shoes, honestly there's just stuff everywhere so it feels like you're staying in a poorly kept flat instead of a hostel

- This was kinda the big deal for me. When I arrived there was no-one to meet me; no staff, no owner, nothing. I'd booked in advance, mind. A guest let me in and told me it was fine to put my stuff in my room as the owner was in Queenstown and would be back in 3 hours or so. I mean...dafaq? Bear in mind I was on the phone to this chap earlier that day. It's just a really weird way to run a business and I didn't appreciate it as a guest, it made me feel uncomfortable. I'm not sure if that was the norm, or an exceptional circumstance, but given the signage on the door it seems I was expected to check myself in.

Sad to say as the owner was really friendly and attentive but I wouldn't stay here again. Probably ideal for long-termers though

Cromwell Backpackers

Main amenities of the hotel

Location

Available rooms

Location

Description of the hotel

What other amenities are there?

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Additional information

Payment