The Landing Restaurant & Bar - Franz Josef - 4 min walk
Alice May - 3 min walk
About this property
Chateau Backpacker & Motels
Eco-certified hostel
A terrace, a garden, and a library are just a few of the amenities provided at Chateau Backpacker & Motels. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi, and guests can find other amenities such as laundry facilities and a fireplace in the lobby.
You'll also enjoy perks such as:
Free self parking
Limo/town car service, tour/ticket assistance, and a vending machine
A TV in the lobby, luggage storage, and a billiards/pool table
Room features
All guestrooms at Chateau Backpacker & Motels include amenities such as free WiFi.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
Communal kitchens with refrigerators
Coffee/tea makers and heating
Awards and affiliations
Eco-Certified Property
This property participates in Qualmark Sustainable Tourism Business Award, a program that measures the property's impact on one or more of the following: environment, community, cultural-heritage, the local economy.
Languages
English
Property amenities
Internet
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Parking and transportation
Free self parking on site
Limited onsite parking
Wheelchair-accessible parking available
Free offsite parking
Limo/town car service
Things to do
Billiards/pool table
Fitness center
Hot tub
Family friendly
Laundry facilities
Refrigerator
Conveniences
Front-desk safe
Library
Vending machine
Guest services
Front desk (limited hours)
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
No housekeeping
Tour/ticket assistance
Outdoors
BBQ grill(s)
Garden
Picnic area
Terrace
Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Wheelchair-accessible parking
More
Designated smoking areas
Fireplace in lobby
TV in lobby
Room amenities
Bedroom
Heating
Bathroom
Hair dryer (on request)
Shower
Towels
Entertainment
TV
Food and drink
Coffee/tea maker
Refrigerator
Shared kitchen access
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 15
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
Access methods
Front desk (limited hours), key retrieval
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Property payment types
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
National rating
Rating provided by Qualmark®, source of official star ratings for accommodation in New Zealand.
How much is parking at Chateau Backpacker & Motels?
Self parking is free at this property; nearby parking is also free.
What time is check-in at Chateau Backpacker & Motels?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Chateau Backpacker & Motels?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Chateau Backpacker & Motels located?
Situated in Franz Josef Glacier, this eco-certified hostel is steps from Te Wahipounamu and Our Lady of the Alps. Westcoast Wildlife Centre and St James Anglican Church are also within 10 minutes.
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Chateau Backpacker & Motels Reviews
Reviews
7.6
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers 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.
Whilst Chris who runs the accommodation is a nice, friendly guy, the whole property is in desperate need of some TLC and a good clean from top to bottom.
We booked an ensuite room for 2 nights and it was perhaps the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on.
Chris, the manager, was friendly and helpful, making soup every night which was free for the guests, as was the breakfast of waffles, pancakes, yoghurt, toast and cereals.
Great place to stay and great value.
Brilliant place to stay, right under the mountain. Free soup and amazing free breakfast every morning. Lovely atmosphere all handled by the superstar owner/manager/bed maker, Chris. We loved it.
Cherith
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
Amy
28 November 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Good little base for exploring Franz Josef with free soup and breakfast. The studio was quite spacious but a little dated. The bed was comfortable, however.
Amy
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022
8/10 Good
Emily
9 February 2024
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Adequate budget accommodation
This place was adequate for our two-night stay. Strong backpacker vibe, with free breakfast (waffles, cereal, toast) and evening soup. Helpful staff. The location was great. The room itself was dated and pretty small.
I'd say this is a case of you get what you pay for. It was very affordable and great if you're looking to connect with other travelers, but I think I would personally spring for a place a bit more modern with more amenities next time.
everything was great! nice and comfortable room. from the room you can see the mountain. kitchen have all you need for cooking.
breakfast was nice and simple - crepe, tost with butter and jam, and cornflaks. The place close to resturants. the guy that work in the reception was super nice and helpful. thanks
It was a nice hostel with friendly staff. Some younger people stayed up past the quiet time, drank and partied. The electric socket made some noise next to my bed. Other than that no complaints. Cheap with free breakfast and soup for dinner.
Matt
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023
6/10 Okay
Mrinali
11 December 2023
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I liked that there was free hot soup in the evenings and a free breakfast. We arrived an hour early but weren't allowed to check-in. Also the rooms were not clean, there were bed bugs, the hot water tap wasn't functional and there were spiders in the room. I probably would look for a cleaner accomodation next time.
Mrinali
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
8/10 Good
Malcolm
1 April 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It was we expected from previous reviews. The motel room was smaller than expected. There were no places to hang clothes
Really good size private room with comfortable bed which also had a mini fridge and little sofa. Decent bathroom. Staff were friendly and helpful. Free parking on site. Two good size kitchens and plenty of communal space but no atmosphere really so not great for solo travellers. Would not recommend using the hot tub - was filthy. Disappointed with laundry facilities - washing machine didn’t drain properly leaving my clothes soaking, dryer did not dry fully, and one of my T-shirts was stolen from the clothesline.
stayed for four nights, the accomodation is conveniently accessible to the centre of Franz Josef. The bed was comfortable and appropriately sized. Breakfast, albeit simple, was provided. Highly recommend for any one thinking of travelling on a budget.
We loved having the soup on arrival, being able to have a continental breakfast included with pancakes and waffles. We like the undercover walking as it was raining and we were able to load and unload the car without getting too wet. The service was excellent.
I am going to say surprised. I was expecting this place to be rough. We had comfortable rooms with shared clean clean washrooms.
The staff was very friendly helpful and happy. The chateau was quirky looking but a fun place with interesting people of all ages and nationalities Very close to restaurants bars and