Freestone Backpackers
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Freestone Backpackers

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About

#3 of 4 small hotels in Manapouri
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Location
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.5 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
Stay in one of 5 our private, cosy timber chalets with wood burner, solar lighting, kitchen and shared bathroom facilities. We also have a holiday house which we rent out as a backpacker style accommodation or the whole house for larger groups. All our cabins have stunning views of mountains and Lake Manapouri. The place is a great base for a holiday in Fiordland, Doubtful and Milford Sound cruises, kayaking, Kepler, Dusky tracks etc or simply as food for the soul. Free bookings. New hosts from April 2019: Heath and Sue.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Hot bath
Hiking
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
BBQ facilities
Non-smoking hotel
Laundry service
Room features
Seating area
Sofa
Kitchenette
Kitchenware
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Mountain View
Languages Spoken
English

Reviews
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Traveller rating
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Detailed Reviews
Charlotte C wrote a review Dec 2022
Toulouse
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We loved our stay at Jimmy’s cabins. Simple, relaxing an beautiful. There are cabins, which are comfortable and equipped with simple cooking facilities and a house with rooms for budget travellers. Plenty of views, starlit baths, walks and total relaxation.
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Date of stay: November 2022
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sacha423 wrote a review Apr 2012
London, United Kingdom
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Very charming. If you can try and prebook an ensuite cabin it will make a world of difference. this was an amazing rural stay experience. a wooden cabin where you build ur own fire to stay warm at night and use a gas cooker. Stayed w my husband in a standard double and was quite uncomfortable hiking to the toilet (virtually impossible at night-bring a flashlight!!) but it was all part of the experience. breathtaking views on our private porch. woke up to horses chomping on leaves outside our room. Such an incredible and friendly host. A definate highlight must-stay.
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Date of stay: March 2012
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Florebxl wrote a review Apr 2014
Auckland, New Zealand
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Me and my friend spent one night in this lovely backpacker place!
Rooms are perfect! Showers are warm...nature is awesome and Jimmy is really nice and always ready to help you!
You should definitely go there!
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Date of stay: August 2013
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
3.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B wrote a review Mar 2020
+1
1.0 of 5 bubbles
This house was marketed by Booking.com as 'Freestone Original Farmhouse' it is an old house that has not seen any maintenance or upgrade work in many years. We were appalled when we arrived it is in overgrown unkempt grounds and looks just as bad on the inside. We rented the whole house for ourselves and found that apart from making the beds there was no other preparation to make the house habitable. As you can see from the photos they hadn't even bothered to empty the fridge or wardrobes. We didn't stay as it was way too dirty and primitive and found a fantastic place just 4 km away for the same money, so they can't even claim to be cheap. The claim to have laundry facilities actually means something in a shed fifty yards away which we didn't look at.
No air conditioning or fly screens so you will either cook or be bitten by mosquitoes.
We went back to Booking.com for help in getting a refund, they asked the owner who refused to refund anything so Booking.com offered NZ$100 out of the more than 800 we paid, and that seems to be the end of their responsibility as they see it. So be warned.
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Date of stay: February 2020
1.0 of 5 bubblesValue
1.0 of 5 bubblesService
1.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Room Tip: None of the rooms are good.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chris c wrote a review May 2014
Deeside, United Kingdom
2.0 of 5 bubbles
despite the other reviews i really have to critise this backpackers

there were rodent dropping in the kitchen cupboards which should have alerted to us of the nighttime scurryings

it sounded like an extended family of rodents

to add to this (we were by the road) there were strange vehicles coming and going to the washing facilties? wether they were wild camping somewhere else but in vehicles 1 of which had the termerity to park in front of our lodge for 20 minutes while they all traped to the bathroom.

or where they doing something else

we didnt stay the second night

views wernt special either

and no wood fire

stay away
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Date of stay: April 2014
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
2.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
2.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
1.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
3.0 of 5 bubblesService
1.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: dont stay here
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
littlepenguin123 wrote a review Dec 2013
Melbourne, Australia
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Fantastic value for money- we stayed in one of the rustic self-contained cabins with basic cooking facilities & wood burner. Beautiful view of the lake from the little porch, quiet surroundings. Cabin & shared bathroom facilities very clean, friendly owners!
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Date of stay: December 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rodgtraveller wrote a review Jun 2013
Gladstone, Australia
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This is a little gem right near lake manpouri. We hiked the Milford track and then stayedat this hostel type place when we got back. It is about 10 minutes from Te Anau so is easy after 4 days hiking. The hostel is actually a bunch of semi self contained wooden huts/chalets. There is shared bathroom, toilets. The chalets have a small stove and kitchen/eating all in the one room with cosy little wood burners for cold weather. The veiw and surrounds are amazing and are reminiscent of the European alps right there in NZ. I would highly recommend this little gem.
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Date of stay: February 2013
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fiffi f wrote a review Apr 2018
+1
2.0 of 5 bubbles
We have stayed for a few days and I have quite mixed feelings. Overall the place was quite big and quiet but it is old and outdated that need maintenance, care and investment which is not there. Disadvantages no wi fi (to get it you need to climb to the office up to the hill) no mosquito screen on windows so you cannot open the window and very old soft mattresses with inconvenient springs pop up feeling.We got spiders and mosquitoes when we opened windows for a couple of minutes. The owner never changes linen and towels. Also, it is very hard to get there as the place is no lit in the night and situated in very bad gravel uphill road.
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Date of stay: April 2018
3.0 of 5 bubblesValue
3.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
2.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marino V wrote a review Feb 2017
Hamburg, Germany
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Right in the middle of nowhere. Sweet little basic house with a cozy fireplace. The veranda was my favorite spot. With its stunning views and the retro furniture outside, this place is fabulous to escape the world.
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Date of stay: January 2017
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HannahLC92 wrote a review Mar 2015
Liverpool, United Kingdom
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
When I arrived I was offered either one of the normal hostel rooms or to stay in the spare room in his house. At first I said the hostel rooms as they look like amazing little cabins with seats outside and a fire pit with wood. However I then saw inside Jimmy's AMAZING house he built himself and instantly changed my mind! I was sleeping in the most cosy bedroom with a huge glass window with amazing views and LOVED looking at the stars when falling asleep!

Jimmy, the owner, is the kindest most lovely man. I managed to lose my car keys whilst on a walk and he came to rescue me! He fed me and looked after me till I got back on my feet.

Set in the most beautiful location, this hostel is set at the top of a hill with the most amazing views of the mountains and lake. Manapouri itself is a very small town but has a nice pub, gorgeous food at a lakeside cafe. It is well worth a visit, very small quaint little town. Great for some peace and quiet and avoiding tourists, ideal for before/after Queenstown visit.
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Date of stay: November 2014
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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David B wrote a tip Mar 2020
25 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
"None of the rooms are good."
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GeordieManners wrote a tip Nov 2016
Queenstown, New Zealand86 contributions12 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"best views, comfy beds, warm cabins, excellent service, amazing location, quiet and great value"
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Cat T wrote a tip Oct 2016
Melbourne, Australia9 contributions4 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Get yourself some beers/wine and sit on the porch and watch the world turn into a postcard"
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KV_Lovoluns wrote a tip Jun 2016
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"A bit far away from town but definitely worth a visit."
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bobdtravel wrote a tip Jan 2016
Norwalk Ct28 contributions25 helpful votes
2.0 of 5 bubbles
"Find another place, owner scams"
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LOCATION
New ZealandSouth IslandSouthland RegionManapouri
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
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FREESTONE BACKPACKERS | Hotel Reviews (Manapouri, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Freestone Backpackers
Which popular attractions are close to Freestone Backpackers?
Nearby attractions include The Wee Bookshop (2.7 km), Wild Wool Gallery (1.5 km), and Time Traders (3.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Freestone Backpackers?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free parking, a hot tub, and laundry service.
Which room amenities are available at Freestone Backpackers?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, a seating area, and a sofa.
What food & drink options are available at Freestone Backpackers?
Guests can enjoy barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Freestone Backpackers?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Freestone Backpackers?
Conveniently located restaurants include The Church - Manapouri, Manapouri Lakeview Motor Inn Restaurant, and Brown's Cafe.
Are pets allowed at Freestone Backpackers?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Does Freestone Backpackers have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the mountain view available here.
Is Freestone Backpackers accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.
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