One of the most common things people say to me when trying to conjure up excuses as to why they cant go travelling is "i couldn't imagine sharing a room with 10 other people." Or "hostels are my worst nightmare." Now don't get me wrong, there are some horrific hostels out there.
My previous experience in a nutshell.
We arrived at a hostel and waited for 30 minutes at the "reception" (sarcastic quotations" to "check in" (you get the picture). Check in desks are usually just a small office desk in the entrance. After a long wait with your heavy bags you are eventually greeted by a very disinterested member of staff that is usually just a fellow traveller that is "helping out" (ill stop now) in return for free accommodation. SO they are not getting paid and therefore don't really care. They hand you your pillow cases and a key and send you on your way. In the kitchen there is one fridge for the 200+ guests and is already brimming with cooler bags. (or eskys if you're in Australia and chilly bins in New Zealand)This means you have to wait about a week to forge yourself some space to chill a pint of milk. On top of this the kitchens are usually dirty bathrooms smell and there's ALOT of bugs.
HONE HEKE LODGE.
I feel bad even including this place with the above. This backpackers haven is a class above even the term hostel. Hone Heke is a "Flashpackers working Lodge". We were recommended this place by a friend and how grateful we are.
The lodge is located on Hone Heke road in the picturesque town of Keri Keri on the northern tip of New Zealand's North island. Dave and Victoria, the owners of Hone Heke Lodge, work tirelessly to make every guest feel at home and to also get them into work and earning money as soon as possible. Arriving in a foreign country and trying to find work is so difficult; you basically wonder around the street with no direction applying for jobs you have no experience in and hoping for a miracle. Dave and Victoria have endless contacts in the local community that rely on them to provide short term and long term employees. This means you can show up at the lodge and be working within 24 hours. Jobs range from anything from fruit picking to working in a chocolate factory. They even take you to work and bring you home and if they cant they lend you a push bike. They really go above and beyond for every guest.
The lodge itself is the cleanest and most welcoming we have ever stayed in. The facilities are far better than the best hostels we have stayed in, For example. No more than 6 people per room, fridges are separated into rooms so there is always space, you are given a large storage box on arrival to store any dry foods (no waiting a week for space), pool table, washing and drying facilities, rooms are cleaned weekly, kitchen and social areas are cleaned twice daily. All these things are why people often stay much longer than they first anticipated.
Here's a full list of facilities at Hone Heke Lodge.
FREE WiFi.
Large secure off-street parking area.
Stunning tranquil covered communal area overlooking local bush.
Outdoor Swimming Pool – just across the road (in the summer months).
Excellent cooking facilities including an oven, 4 hob areas and a microwave.
Clean, renovated male & female toilets & showers.
Large lawns and garden to relax in.
Pool table.
Table tennis table.
Trampoline.
Travel & activities booking desk.
Free movies.
Book library & exchange.
TV room with games & DVD player.
Full on-site laundry facilities & free outdoor drying area.
Sorry, no facility for pets in rooms.
As well as this Hone Heke Lodge offers double private rooms and even en-suite rooms equipped with fridges. This place feels more like home than any other hostel i have stayed in. i cannot recommend the lodge enough, if you are in New Zealand looking for work then there's no better place to be.
Get in touch with Dave and Vicotria and let them know Ryan and Jas Recommended them. They will be more than happy to help.
Useful Links
www.honeheke.co.nz/backpacker-jobs/
www.honeheke.co.nz/
P: +64 9407 8170
E: stay@honeheke.co.nz
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