Reviews of The Cell Block Backpackers. (Hotel) in Whangārei (Northland).
The Cell Block Backpackers
91 Cameron Street, Whangārei 0110, New Zealand
Description
Information of The Cell Block Backpackers, Hotel in Whangārei (Northland)
Here you can see the location, open hours, popular times, contact, photos and real reviews done by the users.
This place has good reviews, this means that they treat their customers well and you’ll feel great with their services, recommended 100%!
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Reviews of The Cell Block Backpackers
M. M.We really loved the Cell. As Metamorphosis rocked in, we were given a safe car space. We could enter from the rear of the Cell and easily reach our room.
The room is novel. Actually the whole place is. It feels like a prison. It was ! The room is small but we loved the coziness. And had enough space to charge our e-bikes and fridge. It had a toilet and hand basin but no shower. But hey it was 35 bucks each. The thick walls keep it quiet and cool - we felt like we were in Europe!
Upstairs is a roof garden which, after being in the prison below, is a welcome blast of light.
The kitchen was clean etc.
We liked Whangarei. We recommend taking a bike ride around the river and up some of the hills. We loved The Quay restaurant. See separate review. And the riverside is great for doing a shady workout before a big dinner.
A. B.We stayed just for a weekend but I quickly felt that this place is special. The people were really nice to us and work daily to maintain the premises very clean. I enjoyed the mosaic and colourful decoration of the different toilets and bathrooms. You have many space outside as well as on the roof top to chill. The kitchen might be small if the hostel were to be in full capacity. There was an open community ambiance that I deeply appreciated. The mattresses were of a surprisingly good quality and I slept like a baby (which is rare for me). Very pleasant stay !
A. M.Great place to stay. Locked to unlocked (there is no keys to the rooms) was an amazing concept and incredible transformation indeed.
It had such a cozy atmosphere and I met some great people there - friendly staff as well.
Location is very good - a lot of people are there by car though it’s also very close to the central area and the bus stop.
If you are staying in the dorm, please note that there is absolutely no place to secure your luggage - though people stay there seem generally good people. Also you’ll have to bring your own toiletries.
P.Originally i was hesitant to stay as it was an old jail and right next to OT. As an overnight It eneded up being homely clean friendly and warm. Much better feeling than a lot of hotels ive been to.
The staff were super hospitable they certainly did their best to accommodate me last minute.
Right in town easy to get to
R. B.Incredibly friendly hostel, such an amazing set up, the owner is fantastic and couldn't have been more helpful or accommodating! It's such a cool place having been converted from a prison and has a really homely feel with everyone on first name basis. Cant recommend this place enough!! Adter 3 years of backpacking this is one of our favourite hostels ever!!
F. S.It was really noisy! Anytime anyone turned on a tap or flushed a toilet anywhere in the facility it was super loud throughout.
We had a private room but the door didn't lock or unlock from the inside (they said this was a requirement to keep the original jail doors) - but I was slightly worried about being locked in while we slept by some mischievous person.
The showers and all the taps only functioned by pushing a button, so you kept having to push the button while you showered or the water turned off. You also only got a blast of water from pushing a button if you wanted to wash your hands or brush your teeth.
The owner was nice and friendly and it was a unique experience to stay here. The location was really good!
A. J.Had the honour of staying in one of the original cell blocks, which is a unique experience (but probably not for everyone). Facilities are clean and sufficient and the location is great. Furthermore the owner puts a lot of effort into what he is doing and you can tell that the place is made with love.
The only downside is that you can hear people talk in the surrounding rooms as the building is rather old. Otherwise there is also just one shower.
A. S.One of the nicest hostels I have stayed in so far! The staff are friendly and its very clean. It also has a very good vibe in general because its build out of an old prison but with very bright and friendly colors. And on top of all that is located in the middle of the city and you can go everywhere by foot very easily.
C. W.Friendly, close knit - very very very secure - cells have no locks - but we had no fears about anything. Loved the stay - my father loved it the stay.
B. M.Good accommodation for the price. Clean. Plumbing echoes something crazy so it's a bit noisy though it's no one's fault. The was a sensor light outside our window and only slatted shutters so anytime someone walked by the light flashed. Also the door ha a window so the light from the corridor pours in - not big issues, but I live in a quiet, dark place in the countryside so it was jarring for me.
T. M.Having travelled for 3 months in a variety of accommodations this was one of the best. The owners were very friendly and polite and made the effort to get to know. The rooms were unique, the kitchen felt very homely and the town was definitely worth a visit. If your not afraid of the dark Abby caves is worth a visit, you will get wet and bring a head touch. When your up to your waist in water and you turn out the lights the glow worms will look like the night sky. I would definitely come back to this town and this hostel, its a good place to stop on the way to Paihia.
M. S.Stayed here for two weeks. Best looking hostel in New Zealand so far. Ryan, the owner, is a great guy and takes great care in his hostel.
L. N.Great hostel with nice atmosphere. It's in the building of the old police station and so some of the rooms are old prison cells. Gives the hostel a little something special. Definitely a good experience.
The rooms are all furnished very nicely and the bathrooms are really clean.
The hostel is located just next to the city center.
J. B.Very cool backpacker. Extremely welcoming. Thick walled quiet rooms. Super unique and funky concept. One of the best backpackers I’ve ever stayed at.
V.The Hostel is a old Jail, which is cool. The kitchen is tidy and clean and they have a nice place outside where you can hang out and chill. The toilets don't flush very well which can put you in a awkward situation. The room has windows which can't be opened but you still get bitten by mosquitos all night. You can't lock your door to the room and there was a Toilette without a door in my room.
A. N.We really liked it there, but we had a few issues regarding facilities. First off the kitchen is small and has in total four hobs. The common rooms are really cosy, but also small, so there weren't space for many people. (They do make up for that with a pretty rooftop garden though, that we unfortunately didn't get to see until the day we left. :/ ) Here's our main issue with the place: our room, as nicely themed as is was, couldn't be locked on the inside, it didn't even shut properly. It could however be locked from the outside, so it's no problem during the day. The staff were really nice though, and the theme of the place is a huuuge plus. It was quite the experience staying there. :)
N. T.It is a really cool place in a very beautiful North island city! The guy that runs the place could not be cooler I really appreciated that he took time to talk to us and show us around. Having all of the plants around everywhere really spruced up the place. We really enjoyed our stay. Having been to Mexico it really did have a Mexico flair to it. It was pretty cool.
M.The hostel is a bit hidden in behind some other buildings. Run by a private lady and her partner she made us feel very welcome with her friendlynes. Unfortunately we got to stay not in the main building with the actual cells, but the building behind which appears to be the admin area.
The kitchens are pretty basic and the common area small but cozy. Prices are 25NZD for a three bed dorm or 65NZD for a private room per night. Overall it has been quiet and my girlfriend and I enjoyed the stay.
F. v. d. M.Truly unique hostel in the middle of Whangarei. Very clean, organised and tidy. The door is locked by code and there are lockers that you can use for free if you have your own padlock. The have wifi, a great little garden and enough spaces to do you thing. You can rent a bed in an old jail cell with 4 ,3 ,2 or 1 bed(s) which is great for a hostel.
The receptionist is truly unique in its kind (see picture).
T.Super awesome cool small backpackers. Rian, the owner, goes above and beyond to make your experience the best. The cells(rooms) are cool. Kitchen can get a bit cramped, but it clears out pretty quick . Very clean. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.
Y.The owner was really friendly and welcoming. As i had trouble looking for the hostel, she was very patient when giving me the directions. Location is pretty good too. Close to the shops, supermarket & bus station. Really like the concept of the rooms and bathrooms. Would stay there again if i go to Whangarei!
T. R.Affordable hostel with an interesting concept of rooms in cells and good facilities. But there is a problem with the water pipes. The noise made me jump from my bed each time someone uses the bathroom
P. H.Lovely laid-back staff, very good value with clean amenities and close to transport and eateries. This was our 2nd visit, would definitely stay again.
S.Beautiful place and nice atmosphere. The owner is the coolest guy I ever made and the feeling to sleep in a prison is amazing. It all has a lovely touch, high speed WiFi and beautiful rooms.
M. S.Such a cool spot. Like an Oasis with cool and friendly people. The hostel is a former prision refurbished and build in a Mexican style which makes it really feel welcoming and bohemian.
B. A.This hostel is awesome. I like the atmosphere and it has so much character. The owner is so nice and friendly. At first we wanted to stay one night but we liked it so much here that we stayed two more nights. :)
M. K.Fabulous expérience to sleep in a jail . It is friendly , clean , central location and cheap for Downtown whangarei
T. R.Such a sweet hostel with amazing roof top garden, super friendly staff and Ryan is a legend not to mention that its a renovated old prison which gives it a unique experience!
R. L.Very cool experience, we were only there for a night but really enjoyed our stay. Kitchen was a little crowded but the hostel was fun at the time.
S. Y.Decent sized room but they lose one star because the room doors do not have locks and another star because they only have 5 or 6 car parks. If you know New Zealand you know that you can't get around without a car, what are you supposed to do with it when you need to stay the night somewhere?
Whangarei is terrible for car parks. You won't find anywhere else to park for free.
Oh an another thing, the hallway light does NOT get turned off and all doors (to continue with the Cell feel) have a cloudy glass window. It lets in a lot of light. My room also only had cold water to wash my hands, not a very pleasant wake up call.
T. C.Very awesome place to stay! Very friendly people, makes you feel welcome. Also looks pretty good, has a chill atmosphere and the price is good as well.
C. R.Great place to stay. Friendly people, very helpful with local knowledge.
Felt very welcoming.
P. B.Central location means great value for money. Old prison so plenty of character :-). Can cook your own meals or plenty of great places to eat within walking distance.
C. N.Pretty nice! Lovely friendly people. The beds weren't very comfortable and there was no air circulation in the room, however
B. S.Nice living room / cooking area. Really cosy. Confirm they have the correct room you booked as we witnessed first hand overbooking for ourselves/ others
R. M.I really love the hostel. The owner is super friendly and the rooms are very clean. I would definitely recommend this hostel!
p.Great staff and also the people staying there... Nice friendly atmosphere and location is great
M.Lovely staff! Cool theme hostel! And great showers and toilets! Amazing
J. L.Was a bit dubious about sleeping in a cell hahaha
Turned out splendid. Great bunch a guys n girls living n having interesting evening conversations
Maybe a fan in the rooms would be a idea
Gets a bit stuffy
R. T. (. R.It was brilliant great place fool of love comfortable beds everything was great
C. L.Rather cool to be staying in an old jail cell. Take extra clothing as can be a bit chilly. Great experience.
P. J.Really nice owner and super friendly staff and backpackers
Like a family. Owner even drove us to the caves and lend us some headtorches!
Recomendet!!!
N. M. J.Beautiful little oasis in the center of town. Highly recommend!
S. M.Love love the Cell Block and its bohemian charm. The owners are super friendly and helpful. Recommend to anyone travelling
K. R.Interesting to see this unique place turned into a backpackers hostel.
H.Great concept, a very unique experience. It‘s very clean and the staff is very nice and helpful.
C. B.Friendly owner. Nice cozy atmosphere. If you have the chance definitely give this place a visit.
M. D.Really cool setup but if they are busy you end up in a shack at the back which is not so great.
B.Great location. Great staff. Lots of flies and not enough bathrooms.
P. A. B.It is the most comfortable place with the most friendly people. I really loved it😍
M. T. F.It's perfect for anyone who appreciates outstanding service and experiences. Been twice now and will be back again 100%
D. T.Lovely staff that really helped me out in short notice, $30 walk in price
B. K.lovely backpacker ! Amayzing staff, peacefull place and realy funny original cell room :-)
T. L.I get that some don't like the place I loved it... The place dust has some charm and the owner is super nice and helpful!
S. P.Well managed place, clean with a well equipped kitchen
S. B.Cool place to visit and hang out . Nice rooms . Clean.
J. R.Funky. Cool. Relaxed
J. T.Enjoyed my stay and felt like home away from home.
J. V. H.The best place !
G. G.Great place but not very clean
N. O.Clean, great atmosphere, friendly!
K. H.Great atmosphere, cool place to stay!
G.I never been jail but now I living in jail 😂👍
H. D.Cool place well maintained and clean.
D. N.Good friendly staff
Nice food
리.hrer is my best. Im missing that time
H. M.Not bad as backpackers go
M. S.I enjoyed my stay here
J. R.Weird place but quite friendly
A. G.Brilliant, enjoyed it.
J. v. S.Causal atmosphere, grand management
p. A. c. B.Ok
J. G.Amazing!!
h.Jail experience
P. C.Great for Backpackers
L.(Translated) Cozy little hostel right in town, nicely made and the staff are super nice and helpful even with short term bookings. The rooms are clean and have their own small bathroom (no shower), the kitchen is also clean and has everything you need. Overall, a good hostel where you can stay much longer!
(Original)
Gemütliches kleineres Hostel direkt in der Stadt, schön hergemacht und die Mitarbeiter sind super nett und hilfsbereit auch bei kurzfristigen Buchungen. Die Zimmer sind sauber und haben ein eigenes kleines Bad (ohne Dusche), die Küche ist auch sauber und hat alles was man braucht. Insgesamt echt ein gutes Hostel, in dem man auch viel länger bleiben kann!
F.(Translated) Great hostel! This redeveloped prison is just great. Very clean, roof terrace with tables and barbecue. Nice decoration. And there are really good energies!
The only downside is that the kitchen is really not big!
But for me the rest wins I note 5 *
Very good surprise
(Original)
Super hostel ! Cette prison réaménager est juste géniale. Très propres, terrasse sur le toit avec tables et barbecue. Jolie décoration. Et il y a vraiment de bonnes énergies !
Seul petit bémol c'est que la cuisine n'est vraiment pas grande !
Mais pour moi le reste l'emporte je note 5*
Très bonne surprise
D.(Translated) Totally sweet furnishings, well equipped kitchen and nice clean bathrooms. The owner Ryan is very helpful and the hostel in general is very cozy and homey. In addition, you can do in the area beautiful things, for example, the Abbey Caves with the many fireflies on the ceiling or visit the Whangarei Falls.
(Original)
Total süß eingerichtet, gut ausgestattete Küche und schöne, saubere Bäder. Der Inhaber Ryan ist sehr hilfsbereit und das Hostel allgemein ist sehr gemütlich und heimelig. Außerdem kann man in der Umgebung schöne Sachen machen, zum Beispiel die Abbey Caves mit den vielen Glühwürmchen an der Decke oder die Whangarei Falls besuchen.
J.(Translated) Very good hostel! Cozy small and facilities are clean. Although you literally sleep in a cell, it feels like a little house
(Original)
Erg goed hostel! Gezellig klein en faciliteiten zijn schoon. Al slaap je letterlijk in een cel, het voelt als een klein huisje
h.(Translated) Very good spot to stay for the night as for the week! Charming host and living place clean and atypical. A true paradise in the center of Whangarei.
(Original)
Très bon spot pour rester pour la nuit comme pour la semaine! Hôte charmant et lieu vivant propre et atypique. Un vrai coin de paradis au centre de whangarei.
C.(Translated) One of the most chilly hostels, everything clean, nice common areas, pleasant two-cubicle.
(Original)
Eines der chilligsten hostels, alles sauber, nette Allgemeinflächen, angenehme Zweierzellen.
B.(Translated) Good and nice backpackers. Cared for by two older ladies who advised on what was to be done in the surroundings
(Original)
Bra och trevligt backpackers. Sköttes av två äldre damer som tipsade om vad som fanns att göra i omgivningarna
A.(Translated) Cool location, nice atmosphere, very, very nice people, clean and very central !!!!
(Original)
Coole Location, schöne Atmosphäre, sehr, sehr nette Leute, sauber und sehr zentral!!!!
A.(Translated) Friendly, price ok with 30 Nz, clean
(Original)
Freundlich, Preis ok mit 30 Nz, sauber
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