Reviews of The Brownston Hostel
73 Brownston Street, 9305 Wanaka, New Zealand
#19 of 28 hotels in Wanaka
Guests' ChoiceReview score
Based on 743 hostel reviews
8.2Score breakdown
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Cleanliness
8.6
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Comfort
8.6
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Location
9.3
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Facilities
8.4
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Staff
9.0
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Value for money
8.0
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Free WiFi
9.1
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Reviewed: 30 June 2025
Angie
New Zealand13 reviews8.0“Very basic and clean”- • Business trip
- • Group
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Nothing
Convenient location no frills
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 9 May 2025
Sena
Netherlands19 reviews5 helpful votes8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Great location, got a room all to myself as it was a low season
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 30 April 2025
Kevin
New Zealand18 reviews9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
There was no dedicated carpark nearby and time limited parking outside. Guests have to park on side-streets which is a slight negative. Check in took a while for staff to show up and multiple guests were wating despite calling the provided number several times.
Facilities were excellent. Room was tidy and bed was great. Cooking facilities were awesome as well. Located close to the supermarket
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 30 April 2025
Travis
New Zealand15 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Solo traveller
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
It was hot in the my room at night so difficult to sleep with that but I still slept not too badly! It was also really quiet and found it hard to socialize there but spoke to a lovely couple from Germany which was nice very nice people,but with it being so quiet i think that's what made the socializing hard.Other than that pretty much everything else was good.
The staff were very friendly and polite and the beds and couches were comfortable great location for it too.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 29 April 2025
Murray
New Zealand11 reviews7.0“It was fine for one night.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Had to buy a twin room for one person
Close to town
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 26 April 2025
Anita
Australia18 reviews1 helpful vote8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Ensuite bathroom was too limited in space. No on-site parking
Good location in the centre of town
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 26 April 2025
Sheenal
Australia29 reviews3 helpful votes8.0“Affordable clean and convenient”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Not applicable
Clean rooms Clean bathrooms Towel and linen provided Great spacious kitchen with free coffee milk and tea and lots of pans and pots
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 22 April 2025
Christina
New Zealand18 reviews1 helpful vote7.0“An excellent location, and a clean private room. Would like to stay again.”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
If the private room’s bathroom has a hook and a shelf will be much better.
Excellent location
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 21 April 2025
Diane
New Zealand3 reviews8.0“Pleasantly surprised how much we enjoyed it.”- • Leisure trip
- • Group
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Cleaning bathrooms more often would have been great.
Location was great and the kitchen / lounge facilities were excellent so inviting, warmth of the room.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 15 April 2025
Small
United Kingdom2 reviews9.0“Great hostel in the centre of Wanaka.”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Really great hostel. Private rooms were spacious and comfortable. Everywhere was very clean. Kitchen was well stocked and had plenty of space.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 11 April 2025
Caileigh
New Zealand6 reviews8.0“We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Brownston and would happily come again”- • Leisure trip
- • People with friends
- • Budget Twin Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Really great location close to waterfront and local shops. Nice communal areas to socialise with others. The room we booked (Budget Twin Room) was great, and had its own bathroom which we thought was awesome.
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 11 April 2025
Georgia
United Kingdom36 reviews2 helpful votes9.0“Great location in Wanaka”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
The room was quite expensive for how basic it was.
Great location, clean rooms and plenty of bathroom facilities. Chill out areas were also nice.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 9 April 2025
Alice
United Kingdom7 reviews8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Entry ways could do with brightening up/feeling more welcoming.
Kitchen well equipped and clean. Lots of space to eat and socialize.
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 6 April 2025
Claudia
Italy20 reviews8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
Great location, friendly staff, and large common areas. Despite booking a bed in a mixed dormitory, in my room we were only 3 and all female which was quite nice. There are no lockers in the room, but definitely enough space for everyone and a convenient big “drawer” under the bed. Very nice stay in this place, I would recommend it!
Stayed in April 2025
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Reviewed: 1 April 2025
Wega
United Kingdom32 reviews8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
The layout of the house itself is a bit confusing, so finding my way to the kitchen and back was a bit weird the first time.
Nice hostel with all the amenities needed. A bit of a pain to have to find parking elsewhere, but luckily enough free parking street spaces were available, not that far away. In walking distance to some nice restaurants, bars and the lakefront.
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: 31 March 2025
Lis
New Zealand4 reviews7.0Good- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
More pillows would be good
Great location and good facilities for a reasonable price. We'll come back :)
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 27 March 2025
Sarah
New Zealand83 reviews2 helpful votes9.0“Excellent place”- • Leisure trip
- • Family with young children
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 1 night
This was probably one of the best hostels I've stayed at yet, I was hesitant when I saw the price but having now stayed here I get it. It is super clean, the shared kitchen is huge, beds were comfy and clean. Staff super friendly. Good location, close walk to town & lake but also quiet at night.
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 24 March 2025
Clarke
Australia1 review8.0Very good- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Budget Twin Room
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Great location
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 22 March 2025
Wendy
New Zealand11 reviews1 helpful vote7.0“Comfortable friendly spacious equipped”- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 10 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
The side of the building was noisy compared to the time before with new world carpark guess it is first in first served. Missed an upgrade for the final night but someone else got one when overbooked after 10 nights an upgrade would have been nice, the new arrival told me they got free upgrade. The blinds banged with the windows open which you needed Great earplugs. Wonderful staff. Bathroom door very dirty.
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 21 March 2025
Ella
Netherlands13 reviews1 helpful vote9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Very much a hostel, not super cosy.
Nice staff
Stayed in February 2025
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Reviewed: 21 March 2025
Nancy
United States61 reviews8.0“Overnight in Wānaka”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
No parking on site. The 30 minute drop off spots were full when we arrived so we parked in the New World lot next door. After checking in and unloading, we had to move the car down the street to designated spots.
Great location for walking to the lake, groceries, and eating/drinking establishments. Hostel style hotel with common area though we had a queen en suite.
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 17 March 2025
Angel
Mexico1 review9.0Superb- • Leisure trip
- • Solo traveller
- • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
- • Stayed 2 nights
- • Submitted via mobile
All was good :)
Staff was very helpful. Location was great.
Stayed in January 2025
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Reviewed: 17 March 2025
Seow
Singapore26 reviews2 helpful votes8.0“V.Good Hostel in good location... despite minor issue with parking.”- • Leisure trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 2 nights
1. No problem finding street parking but have to search... sometimes, can be ~100m or more away from hostel. 2. The few 30-min parking lots in front of hostel for loading/unloading is almost always occupied.
1. Friendly staff. Receptionist was patient & helpful ...went the extra mile to help us when we had trouble with the credit card. Served us with smile. 2. Good location. 3. Room was spotless.
Stayed in March 2025
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Reviewed: 17 March 2025
Chris
New Zealand15 reviews8.0Very good- • Business trip
- • Couple
- • Double Room with Private Bathroom
- • Stayed 1 night
- • Submitted via mobile
Excellent location, incredible kitchen and facilities.
Stayed in March 2025
