I chose Dusky Lodge last minute. Booked on the day. There was one last car park for me. Wood fired oven pizza & soda for dinner by the pool. A very hot sauna and dip in the pool before trying the hot pool before bed. Enjoyed a breakfast in the sun, outdoors looking at the ranges. Crossing paths with the right travellers in synchronicity. Expect sopping wet bath mats in most backpackers unless you travel early. Or request an extra bath mat. I loved staying here because of the bonus facilities. I do love a good sauna & meeting travellers I value & respect. Enjoyed the walk to the seal beach near the lodge. It was a highlight on my travels, with memorable geographical features. I would recommend anyone to stay here as a stop over.

Very nice place, nice room and comfortable beds, the WiFi worked well. The kitchen for private rooms if great, very well equippped and very well done. The balcony view is beautiful and even if we didn't use the swimming pool, it looked great. A supermarket very close to the accomodation.

It is a bit further from the city center and there are not a lot of parking places directly in front of the hotel. Even if a lodge/hotel accomodation, you are asked to remove the bed linen and put it downstairs.

Easy check-in, easy parking. The facilities are great: sauna, jacuzzi, swimming pool and options to have pizzas, drinks and all! The room is quite small but does the job. It's comfortable with a much welcome fan for the hot summer! Great location to walk to the town center

A little bit more space in the room would be welcome, but for one night, it's good enough. Direct access to the room with no mat makes the entry a bit dirty. Not a big deal but worth noticing for improvement.

I loved the pool and the jacuzzi. Lots of benches outside and sofas in the communal areas. Room was a good size- very bright. Fan in a room.

It got quite hot in a room as it was facing the sun all day and the curtains were really thin, so it was also too bright in the morning. Only one charging outlet by the door. A tiny bit far from the town centre if you don't drive. The room was hoovered only ONCE for 10 seconds during my 5 night stay. Sanitary bins in women's toilets were full and not emptied throughout my whole stay, absolutely disgusting! One last thing - the reception workers might have to be educated on the hygiene as on my last day I saw a reception lady not washing her hands after using the toilet!!! Not very nice knowing that she handed me the keys and a towel.

The spa and sauna view absolutely lovely. Voice of different kitchens to use whilst staying fantastic oven door in one kitchen did not want to close and hot plates on kitchen island did not heat up fast enough or at all. Lovely polite staff.

Stove top on kitchen island need replacing and oven door does not close. To be able to ring up for booking with Dusky lodge would be nice instead of booking.com.

Everything was great. Facilities were exceptional. Two kitchens & a pool, what more could you want from a hostel? Cleanliness was good. Plenty of space.

As a solo female traveller, I would prefer the option of either a female only room (which often appeals to other solo travellers) or a room dedicated to solo travellers with an even-ish gender mix. I shared a room with a room with a group travelling together. No bad experience, but it doesn’t have the same level of appeal. The lack of room choice does put me off returning. A lack of power outlets in the room.

Amazing hostel! Rooms were clean, kitchens were spacious and the pool and spa were an added bonus! Lovely staff and the location was in good walking distance from all major sights in Kaikōura. Would recommend.

The bathrooms got a bit sticky as no fan or open windows and the noise level could have been a bit lower. Trucks passing the front at night and people slamming doors but otherwise all good.

There's a hot tub!!! The balcony was super chilled and the communal kitchen was a good place to chat with other backpackers. Gorgeous sunset from the hot tub and it's close enough to the beach to go down and watch the sunrise. Big rooms, nice hot showers, good atmosphere and the wall art is super cool :) I got a discount at one of the bars in town I was going to just by showing my room key. Ideal.

It's close to town but I'm grateful to have a bike as it is like a 10minute walk away

Very handy location- pop up a side footpath and you're there Friendly lady checked me in and showed me around and gave great advice re the hostel She was friendly nd kind with everyone in the hostel Fire going which kept us warm Absolutely beautiful spot with the mountains in the background, perfect location

The room was great. The guy that was on the front desk and at the café was great, he has great customer service, polite even got my kids involved in what he was doing! His pizzas were amazing, my boys also loved them! Both my boys are nuro-diverse so the pool and spa were great for them also. We would definitely stay again.