Rolleston House YHA Hostel

Perfect Location opposite the Arts Centre

Update March 2011

At the moment, both hostels are closed due to earthquake damage but repairs are underway, so check the sites out, as the hostels might open any time soon, particularly the YMCA hostel at the corner of Rolleston Ave & Hereford St. Rolleston House has a yellow sticker, meaning: the hostel has no major structural damage but is not safe enough to be operated.

Let me mention here that the award winning Stonehurst Accommodation on Gloucester Street has been badly damaged and is closed until further notice - which will be quite some time away.



I post this backpackers hostel because you cannot do much better with this type of accommodation in Christchurch location-wise. It is located on an inner city street with nearly no traffic apart from the tourist tramway operating from 9am to 6pm in winter and to 9pm in summer. As it sits at the corner of Worcester Boulevard and Rolleston Avenue, it is opposite the Arts Centre (cheap food at the stalls on weekends), Canterbury Museum, and the main entrance of the Botanic Garden. Hagley Park is a two minute walk away, as is the Art Gallery, the Strip with its pubs and restaurants, and Cathedral Square is another minute or two from there. So really the perfect location.

They have double ensuites as well as shared facilities.

As Rolleston Houe is a listed YHA hostel you get a rebate of $ 3 if you are a member.

Rates per room: Double ensuite NZ$ 105, double $ 79, twin $ 75, triple $ 96.
Rates per person: Four, five and six bed multi share $ 29, eight bed multi share $ 27 (Rates as Feb. 2011).

Available services: Internet, TV room, luggage storage, lockers, laundry, carpark, bicycle storage.

Reception Hours are 8am to 10pm, check out time is 10am.

Address:
5 Worcester Boulevard

Contact:
Phone (03) 366 6564
Website:
http://www.yha.co.nz/Hostels/South+Island+Hostels/ChristchurchRollestonHouse/

Email via website



YMCA Hostel, Hereford Street

On the other side of the Arts Centre, in Hereford Street, is another interesting hostel, the YMCA Hostel. Not in such a nice heritage building as Rolleston House but in a modern concrete block, they have a sensational lot of extras to offer to their guests, not just laundry, carpark and internet, but also a full gym, sauna, squash courts and a climbing wall. They also have a dining room and café. All rooms but dorms have TV, coffee/tea making facilities, and towels are provided.

Rates - standard rooms have shared, deluxe rooms private facilities (rates as Feb. 2011):
Dorm NZ$ 28pp (bedding hire $ 2)
Per room:
Single $ 55 (deluxe 85)
Twin – Double $ 70 (deluxe 95 - 100)
Triple $ 87 (deluxe 105)
Apartments (2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, lounge) $ 200

Address:
12 Hereford Street

Contact:
Phone (03) 366 0689
Website: http://www.ymcachch.org.nz/accommodation/
Email: accom@ymcachch.org.nz

Update 19 August 2008
Some weeks ago friends of mine tried to book a 2 bedroom apartment for January 2009. Those rooms were fully booked. So if you want such special accommodation book as early as possible. Higher rates during the Rugby World Cup (Sept./Oct. 2011). - Well, no Rugby World Cup here in Christchurch... (Update March 2011)

Note:
I have only stayed at some few places in Christchurch as I live here. But as so many people want accommodation tips I have looked around quite thoroughly, so I can give you hints about location, rates, reputation, and how easily you reach it from the city centre. In some cases I have also talked to people who have stayed at the places I have listed. The only thing I cannot really check is the service and the friendliness of the hosts/staff.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Related to: Architecture, Budget Travel

Rolleston House YHA Hostel Photo: Nice heritage building in a quiet street.

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