Beautiful and visibly well-managed historic building. Super clean, well furnished, spacious and really exceeded my expectations. The kitchen is unusually spacious and very well equipped, as is the lounge and the downstairs dining/entertainment area. The reception by Ruthie was so warm and welcoming (I checked-in late). There is even cake provided at the breakfast table along with coffee/tea/milk and cereals. The terrace is excellent, the location is amazing and the whole experience incited me to come back to Napier soon. I loved this beautiful coastal city. The accommodation is very quiet, the stairs and hallways are carpeted which reduces noise considerably, and the low-key decor is inspirational. I think it’s the best value for money I’ve seen during my NZ tour.

There was nothing negative at all about my stay. I felt pretty much satisfied.

The location is very convenient: close to the sights, to the restaurants. I like the owner's attitude most of all. Ruthie is a good listener and tries to satisfy the needs of the guests. She traveled herself a lot and , I think, that's why she understands the needs of the travelers. Her breakfast is served with love. There's a variety of breads, jams, yogurt. Leaving bread and butter on the table after breakfast makes it feel like home. Thank you for your care, Ruthie.

It would be nice to have a charging station.

Ruthie, the Proprietress and the cleaning staff were all very warm, welcoming & friendly!!! Every room was a private room! The Vintage Art Deco Bldg, though old & is in working progress, was interiorly beautiful for each private room that I saw during cleaning. Love the spacious common areas - kitchen, lounge, breakfast & dining rooms. Perfectly situated!!! Lots of refrigerators & cabinets to stow away groceries. Daily cleaning always! But the best part, Ruthie bakes fresh bread/scones for breakfast, which is an amazing treat!!!

Just minor aesthetics - needs fresh coat of paints downstairs & outside; I don’t like carpets & not practical for such a big place especially for maintenance.

King ensuite with private toilet - Spacious and clean room. Bed was comfy. Big table, chairs, multiple surfaces in room for us to use. Toilet has many hooks. Part of Art Deco!

The toilet top window handle is spoiled so couldn't close it completely - it was cold at night. I could hear noises from my room on the first night/next morning when a football team was staying and checking out (staff did inform of the potential noise). Dining room facilities were old/rusty so best not to use.

The free food was such a lovely touch, lovely common space, the rooftop was lovely, everything felt clean (probably one of the cleanest hostel kitchens I’ve been in!) free towels were so nice too - just having heaps of things included in the price just made things awesome :)) Also all the staff were completely lovely and the rooms were comfy too!

The kitchen did have a bit of a lingering smell of mince but to be fair that was a very minor problem

Location is great, directly next to the city center (but far enough away that street parking is free). Free (continental) breakfast with freshly baked bread, muffins, etc. is very nice to have. Host is very friendly and welcoming.

The room is quite small: When opening the door, it already touches the bed. Also, the room does not really contain anything but the bed and a small sink. The shower heads (at least in those bathrooms that I used) are fixed to the wall at a height of about 185 cm - awkward for washing your hair if you are taller than that.

Really great quirky hostel, with welcoming hosts. It's a huge old building with really high ceilings - this makes it a bit chilly in the winter, but means heaps of character. Great cooking facilities and a nice lounge room. The hostel was practically empty when I stayed, being a Mon/Tues in the off-season, which was a shame. I had a nice little private room, with a heater and a really comfy bed. There's tea/coffee/water always available in the downstairs lounge, and a lovely (simple) breakfast with croissants, cereal, jam, and excellent homemade bread. Would definitely stay again next time I'm in Napier.

The original structure and location of the building layout and how it facilitated not just for backpackers,but tired truckers and me,a mum with one 9yr old son. The room was located close to the bathroom facilities and common gathering areas for dining or cooking up a storm in the kitchen. The flow and atmosphere of the building along with the very kind and friendly owners of Toad Hall Hostel. The ease of being able to come and go as you pleased. The fresh smell of bread baking which is also shared to you with a continental breakfast included in the room cost and the free hot beverage choice and homemade biscuits available anytime. The main headquarters/management of local information & historical photographs of the township and their own added touch of colour through artwork on the walls & inspirational quotes. The main room is set up for a play at pool or table tennis, a piano to test your skills,a television,a breakfast table and lounge chairs to enjoy sitting back with a book from their own library. Importantly the location of Toad Hall's Accommodation, because you can easily walk for a bite to eat,take a run along the beachfront or take a stroll around the centre township of Napier.

There wasn't anything I didn't like.

The freshly baked breakfast was such a treat and leant the place more of a B&B feeling, which was great. I loved the high ceilings and historical charm of the room and the building in general. Great roof terrace to catch the sunset!

The kitchen could feel a bit cramped when in high use. Noise carried quite a bit through the halls in the morning. And both pillows on the bed were very hard. But really not much to complain about at this great accommodation!

good location. free parking nearby. plenty of plates & cutlery and good cooking facilities. Ruthie baked every day and invited me for family dinner as someone who had been staying there for 3 months was leaving. reminded me of living in the nurses home when I trained to be a nurse many years ago.

the last night I was there it was very noisy 2-4am with people talking loudly in the corridor and going out to the roof terrace. the springs in my bed weren’t the best