Christchurch International Airport (CHC) - 138 min drive
Restaurants
Coopers Catch Kaikoura - 9 min walk
Strawberry Tree - 9 min walk
Why Not Cafe - 11 min walk
Kaikoura Seafood Bbq - 7 min drive
Slam Club - 8 min walk
About this property
Dusky Lodge - Hostel
Dusky Lodge - Hostel is a great choice for a stay in Kaikoura. Guests can take a dip in the seasonal outdoor pool or grab a bite to eat at Sicarios, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other features include a bar/lounge, a hot tub and a snack bar/deli.
Languages
Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German
At a glance
Hotel size
40 rooms
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 10 AM
Contactless check-out
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
If you are planning to arrive after 6:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
No cots (infant beds)
Pets
Pets allowed*
Service animals welcome
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
Free on-site self-parking
Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
Food and drink
Restaurant
Bar/lounge
Coffee shop
Coffee/tea in a common area
Barbecue grills
Shared microwave
Shared fridge
Snack bar/deli
Travelling with children
Children's menu
What to do
Hiking/biking trails
Beach nearby
Bike rentals nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Whale watching nearby
Working away
Computer station
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Tour/ticket assistance
Luggage storage
Multilingual staff
Facilities
Safe-deposit box at front desk
Terrace
Television in common areas
Seasonal outdoor pool
Hot tub
Accessibility
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Room amenities
Home comfort
Heating
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
More
Daily housekeeping
In-room safe
Special features
Dining
Sicarios – This poolside café serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. 1-star Michelin rating. A children's menu is available.
Fees & policies
Optional extras
Credit card charges are subject to an extra charge
Pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Pets are allowed for an extra charge of NZD 20 per pet, per stay
Policies
This property does not have lifts.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Does Dusky Lodge - Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Dusky Lodge - Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at Dusky Lodge - Hostel?
Yes, there's a seasonal outdoor pool.
Are pets allowed at Dusky Lodge - Hostel?
Yes, pets are welcome. There's a charge of NZD 20 per pet, per stay. Service animals are exempt from fees.
Is parking offered on site at Dusky Lodge - Hostel?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Dusky Lodge - Hostel?
Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 6:00 PM. Check-out time is 10 AM. Contactless check-out is available.
What is there to do at Dusky Lodge - Hostel and nearby?
Have fun during the warmer months with activities such as hiking. Relax in the hot tub after a day on the slopes or enjoy the use of a seasonal outdoor pool.
Are there restaurants at or near Dusky Lodge - Hostel?
Yes, Sicarios offers poolside dining.
What's the area around Dusky Lodge - Hostel like?
Dusky Lodge - Hostel is a short 12-minute walk from Kaikoura Beach and 12 minutes' walk from Kaikoura District Museum.
Dusky Lodge - Hostel Reviews
Reviews
8.0
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
8.0/10
Cleanliness
8.4/10
Staff & service
8.2/10
Amenities
7.8/10
Property conditions & facilities
7.8/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
6/10 Good
26 January 2025
I’m not a hostel person
This is a ‘well-used’ hostel. I probably would not stay here but this is where the group I was travelling with stays. Too basic for me, it might be okay for others.
Verified traveller
1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
23 November 2024
Good value hostel
Kaikoura is very popular and this was the only room at a sensible price. En suite family room with use of communal kitchen. Nice and quiet with view of mountains for breakfast
Michael
Michael, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
21 October 2024
Sapphyre
Sapphyre, 4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
2/10 Poor
9 October 2024
Pathetic
Very smelly and unhygenic room.. Staff tried to help ti change tge room with her limited time but besds are dusty, smelly, stained with some or otger thing.. Very disappointed with the stay... Miserable
Jinish
Jinish, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
6 August 2024
We arrived 10mins after checkin and could not get in contact with the “after hours manager” we sat around waiting for an hour calling the provided numbers, and found him lighting the fireplace. Kitchen was nice hot tub was great. They have large TV and lounge area on both levels. Hopefully next time there will be better communication
Ken
Ken, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
1 August 2024
Nice and quiet
??
??, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
2 April 2024
Good clean and comfortable accom.
Micaela
Micaela, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
31 March 2024
For such a cheap price, this was an amazing place to stay at! The 24 hour kitchen was large and useful, there were plenty of common areas, the hot tub was clean, and the shower stalls were big! I would definitely Dusky Lodge to a friend!
Angelica
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
31 March 2024
Not very clean windows dirty and kitchen floor and tables not very clean needs more cleaning cloths the floor in the unit was very sticky for the price i would have expected it to be better
Margaret
Margaret, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
18 February 2024
Katie
Katie, 1-night trip
Verified Wotif guest review
10/10 Exceptional
16 January 2024
Such a huge place for a backpackers, we definitely enjoyed staying there.
Alexander
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
4 January 2024
Affordable accomodation not too far from the town centre. Beds are obviously old and need an upgrade as they are dipping, but not unexpected for budget accomodation
Louise
Louise, 1-night trip
Verified Wotif guest review
8/10 Very good
2 January 2024
Good stay
Gavin
Gavin, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
26 December 2023
Spacious room with ensuite, painful because it was upstairs which I hadn’t realised, carrying all our bags up was tricky. Simple things like enough tea towels in the kitchen and cloths for the bench’s would’ve made a difference. Pool and spa were good but very busy. Door to bathroom kept opening by itself (sliding). Staff didn’t give wifi password or explain there were problems until prompted.
Kimberlea
Kimberlea, 1-night family trip
Verified Lastminute guest review
10/10 Exceptional
19 December 2023
Toni
Toni, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
23 October 2023
It is a large hostel with some good amenities.
Kelly
Kelly, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
11 September 2023
coline
coline, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
25 April 2023
Bathroom didnt look like it had been cleaned, shower still had watermarks like it hadnt been cleaned. If you want guests to take sheets off beds on departure, you need to make sure whats under them is at least clean, not clumps of hair and stains all over protector. If its that stained you need to replace as not a good look
Kelly
Kelly, 1-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
6/10 Good
15 April 2023
The water was hot in the shower - very much appreciated.
We found getting an e-mail at 5.00pm on the day of arrival with details wasn't really reassuring as to whether or not we still had a room for the night!
Also the instructions on the sheet could afford to be more specific so that guests can be as helpful as possible - e.g. we were asked to strip the bed and put the sheets in the foyer - no mention of the towels. Only after we'd returned to key to the box did we discover we should have also brought the towels down.
As well the cleanliness needed to be improved. The shower was very dirty around the edges of the base. It would be good to see fans in the showers - or some kind of shower hood to keep the steam in the area.
Mary Ann
Mary Ann, 1-night romance trip
Verified Expedia guest review
4/10 Fair
12 April 2023
Bathrooms weren’t serviced and cleaned during our stay. Same for the kitchen. Otherwise fine and convenient.
Katrin
Katrin, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
8/10 Very good
8 April 2023
Good backpackers for a night to break a road trip
Jeff
Jeff, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
3 March 2023
Terence
Terence, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
7 February 2023
Pedro W
Pedro W, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
2 February 2023
Convenient location, well laod out property. I was only there overnight so didnt make full use of the facilities but did appreciate solid bunks that didnt sqeak. Well stocked and roomy kitchen