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This is a fantastic and unique backpackers. Extremely welcoming. Very comfortable. From the Mosaics in the shower to the jail cell rooms. Walls and doors are thick and therefore it’s quiet. One of the best backpackers I have ever stayed at.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip 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.
Excellent location and a fun quirky place to stay in real jail cells. Felt very safe and good kitchen , showers and communal areas. The man at the desk was very friendly and helpful . Great value for money, ideal for road trips and back packers
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip 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.
We were tired and had traveled all day from the north, we found this hostel. We went in it was right across from the police station. Having stayed in countless hostels around the world this was my first jail cell hostel. I lucked out i got the room not renovated, my room had original writing on the walls.
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Date of stay: October 2017
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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.
The staff on duty were very welcoming, polite however the hostel lacks any type of security. Upon check in I was asked for no ID or anything. The rooms do not have lockers and the dorm rooms and front door of hostel do no lock so anyone could walk in anytime. This did not make me feel particularly safe. The hostel was nice , something different, quirky with the jail theme. However one night is more than enough in this hostel. The downside was the dirtiness of the hostel and all the flies everywhere, in the rooms, in the kitchen, you couldn't get away from the flies. Also the room I was in which was room four had a ensuite toilet however there was no door for the toilet entrance or a curtain so I was unable to use it as I as sharing the dorm room with someone else also so I had to always use the bathroom down the corridor which luckily had a door and a lock that locked. Unfortunately I would not stay here again.
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Date of stay: January 2018Trip 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.
The old cell rooms look pretty cool at first sight, but actually this hostel is far below the average standard. This it not a clean hostel and that's why there are so many flies inside. They also have disgusting sticky fly catchers hanging everywhere.
In the cellblock part are only two bathrooms with toilets which can be quite annoying when the showers are occupied in the morning and you have to go to the toilet.
Showers: when you push the button the water is running only for about 20 seconds and then you have to push it again. And again. And again. Very annoying.
The cell rooms: beds are quite small, no hooks to hang up clothing, doors can't be locked (!) and no safe. While the windows are small, there are no curtains thus less privacy (there was a stair outside behind the window of my room).
Also a buch of long term stayers and people sleeping outside in their car on the hostel's parking lot. A proper hostel does not allow this in my opinion.
WIFI is or free but very bad connection.
However, the location is quite good.
I do not recommend this hostel but unfortunately there are not many options in Whangarei.
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Date of stay: March 2017Trip 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.
I stayed here for 1 night earlier this month with a friend and although the concept behind the Cell block is unique (guest sleep in old prison cells) the execution is not up to standard. There are no locks for the doors or lockers, which isn't a big deal but does make you weary of leaving things in you room. The toilet space in our room had no door, was open to the rest of the room and because it is the original metal toilet and basin they are crazy loud when used. The kitchen was full of flies (they have a food bin to use as compost for the garden but this just attracted flies and insects in what is already a tiny kitchen, didn't fell hygenic). The rooms are comfy and the social area is big and light. Location is fab as well. Just needs some more thought put in to making it an enjoyable experience
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Date of stay: January 2018Trip 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.
Great place to stay in Whangarei, a newly refurbished prison - last used in 2010! The vibe is brilliant, colourful and has a beautiful tropical feel. Such a unique place, is a must to stay at if passing through. It is new as a hostel, there is a lot that can and will be done in the near future. All I can say is more shade on the rooftop garden!
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Date of stay: January 2018Trip 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.
A brilliant backpackers in the heart of Whangarei, retaining lots of the original prison features. All the doors are an inch and a half thick and covered in the names of past guests/inmates, and you can store your bike behind bars in the holding cells (there's also a private car park, though it shuts around 6pm, but if you get caught out you can park on the road for free until 8am).
Loved the decor- lots of pastel painted concrete, quirky nick-nacks, crazy mosaics and happy looking pot plants. There's a common room with a pool table, a lovely roof garden and a guitar in the kitchen/diner in case you fancy a play while your pasta is cooking.
We had a twin room with an en suite- quite basic-looking (hardly surprising as it was once a prison cell) but it was clean and comfortable and had everything we needed. Our beds were up on a wide concrete shelf with lots of storage space underneath and the loo was behind a curtain, fine for an emergency night-time wee but for everything else there was a huge private bathroom/shower room just across the hallway.
Check-in/out is done remotely but when we did see staff they were really friendly and helpful, and working hard to keep everything spotless. Would highly recommend and look forward to another stretch in the slammer next time we're in NZ.
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Date of stay: May 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
It was cell block of Police Station to hold criminals in the past, however it is a unique place for travelers now to spend overnight here for different reason. The layout and shape, the building components are still the same, no change, except refurbished to cater more for hospitality purposes. It was good, nice and affordable hostel, mainly for backpacker type travelers. Locations is prime, at the city centre, very close to various good restaurants and shops.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
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.
Considering that you're sleeping in cells in the former remand centre / drunk tank, the rooms are spacious enough. Lots of original cell block features remain. The lounge is in the exercise yard (surrounded by the remand centre walls with just a large skylight), the kitchen is small but quite adequate. The dining area is small, but there's a small outdoor area, too. If you arrive late at night, the roller door will be down. Don't dispair! Walk around the block (2min) & you'll find the back door. The hostel cat will probably be there to show you the way! This is an opportunity for law abiding people to experience remand! They had a backpacker looking after the hostel overnight. She was busy drinking with the guests & didn't answer my knock at the door. I commented to her that there was no loo paper. She told me where is was stored & said to get some myself. Don't let 1 untrained, unprofessional backpacker put you off, though... by now she's probably been replaced.
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Date of stay: November 2019
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
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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LOCATION
New ZealandNorth IslandNorthland RegionWhangarei
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THE CELL BLOCK BACKPACKERS & ACCOMODATION | UPDATED 2024 Hostel Reviews (Whangarei, New Zealand) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about The Cell Block Backpackers & Accomodation
Which popular attractions are close to The Cell Block Backpackers & Accomodation?
Nearby attractions include Hundertwasser Art Centre with Wairau Māori Art Gallery (0.4 km), Claphams Clocks - The National Clock Museum (0.4 km), and Town Basin (0.4 km).
