YMCA Hostel

Clean and comfortable. That's it

Voordelen: -Clean facility (rooms, beds, hangout area, bathrooms, kitchen) -Kitchen facilities worked. Majority of kitchen items were included (pots, pans, lids, cutting boards, utensils, etc.) -Decent location. Could access queen street in an instant. -Nearby asian market sells super cheap groceries for travellers on a budget. -Super awesome cleaning staff. -Had 0 problems with the bathroom and shower facilities.

Nadelen: -Nothing special about the desk/ reception staff. Not welcoming. Just didn't seem to care. Stereotypical employees who are only there for the paycheque, doing the bare minimum in terms of customer service to keep their jobs. I received better customer service from the cleaning staff.. how that makes sense I don't know. Little bit of a reorganization at that facility is in order. I'd be more inclined to return if I was greeted and managed by a cleaning staff member. What a joke. Also poor English by some of the reception staff. I have no issue with ESL but for a receptionist at a hostel.. c'mon.. lol. -Small kitchen. I am not joking when I say that there was a line-up for hostel clients standing outside the kitchen to cook and clean. Couldn't believe some clients were cooking up 3 course meals. You're in a hostel.. ramen with veggies then gtfo. -Strangest client base. I'm not quite into my 30s yet, couple years to go, and I feel old staying in a hostel. There were groups of 5-6, likely the same family, all of which were in their mid to late 40s. In have 0 problem with a diverse crowd at a hostel, and this is just to warn any future goers that if your uncomfortable sharing a dorm or facility with a 40yr man with a beard then I'd avoid. -Poor lounge layout for meeting others. Environment was very cold. Would not recommend if you're travelling solo and looking to meet other people. -Clients have to pay for Wi-Fi. And it's not a flat daily rates it's based on the number of MBs or GBs you can afford. It was something around $30 for 10GB. -First and last hostel I stayed in while in Auckland. My recommendation is to only choose this location as a last resort if your preferred choice is unavailable. At least it was clean and comfortable.