I do not like writing negative reviews - but this is a necessity to warn people NOT to stay at this backpackers.

I have just returned home from a weekend at Latana Lodge and it was an experience I do not ever wish to repeat. I have stayed in a number of backpackers across the country and never before have I encountered such a dive - trust me - 1 star is too many to describe my time spent here. The customer service throughout the entire experience was nothing but disappointing and rude, but it was the backpackers itself that was awful. I don't know when the pictures on their website have been taken, but they must have been a while ago, because currently the place resembles more of a dirty hovel. The sheets on my bed were stained and when I asked for an extra blanket because the one I had was paper thin and I feel the cold, I was informed they had run out of extras so I had to borrow some from a friend who lives in Auckland so I did not freeze the entire night. The towels that I paid for were also dirty. This backpackers also has a policy of no shoes inside - so one would want to bring some shoes for indoors because there is no way you want to be walking around in bare-feet! The state of the bathrooms was also disgusting - chipped paint, chipped basins, dirt and grime everywhere. Latana Lodge is run-down and depressing and a backpackers you do not want to ever stay in. This is surprising as it is in a nice location - but it has clearly not been looked after or managed properly and is falling into a state of disrepair and squalor. Think twice before staying here.

Reviewed almost 12 years ago