See all properties

Chateau Backpacker & Motels

2.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Chateau Backpacker & Motels

Lobby sitting area
Exterior
Fitness facility
Spa
Sun deck

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Gym
  • Laundry room
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
8 Cron Street, Franz Josef Glacier, 7886
  • Place, Our Lady of the Alps
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Westcoast Wildlife Centre
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Glacier Hot Pools
    ‪8 min walk‬

Room options

View all photos for 4 Bed Dorm

4 Bed Dorm

4 Bed Dorm

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Single Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

View all photos for Motel Room

Motel Room

Motel Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Similar properties

Sauna
Haka House Franz Josef
Franz Josef Glacier
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Laundry room
4.1 out of 5, Very good, 124 reviews
The price is €57
includes taxes & fees
28 May - 29 May
Haka House Franz Josef

About this property

Chateau Backpacker & Motels

This hostel features a fitness center, a hot tub, and laundry facilities. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include limo/town car service, a library, and tour/ticket assistance. Housekeeping is not available.
Chateau Backpacker & Motels offers 43 accommodations with shared/communal kitchens. This Franz Josef Glacier hostel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and coffee/tea makers. Bathrooms include showers.
Recreational amenities at the hostel include a hot tub and a fitness center.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

During your stay at Chateau Backpacker & Motels, you're just a quick walk from Te Wahipounamu. Free WiFi in public areas, free self parking, and a gym are available.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking
  • Services include tour or ticket assistance, luggage storage, and limo or town car service
  • Onsite recreation includes a gym
  • Steps from Te Wahipounamu and Our Lady of the Alps
Chateau Backpacker & Motels offers its guests a hot tub and a fitness center. Public spaces have free WiFi. A library, a terrace, and barbecue grills are also featured at Chateau Backpacker & Motels. The hostel can provide limo/town car service and tour/ticket assistance. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Franz Josef Glacier hostel.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free offsite parking
  • Limo/town car service
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Gym
  • Hot tub
  • Library
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • No housekeeping service
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Designated smoking areas
  • Fireplace in lobby

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Refrigerator
  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Heating

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: 8:00 PM

Minimum check-in age: 15

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Front desk staffed during limited hours

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), key retrieval

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
The front desk at this property is open daily from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

National rating

Property class, provided by our rating system, is based on property type, amenities, and services.

Property is also known as

Chateau Franz Franz Josef Glacier

Chateau Backpacker & Motels Franz Josef Glacier

Chateau Franz Hostel Franz Josef Glacier

Chateau Backpacker & Motels Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Chateau Backpacker & Motels Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 70 out of 247 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 92 out of 247 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 57 out of 247 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 18 out of 247 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 247 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

6/10 Okay

John

Travelled with partner
Courteous staff but whole property in need of modernisation, however, typical backpacker venue!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

8/10 Good

Joan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Wonderful staff.
Sunset from deck
Beautiful location
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Garet

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Greg

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Spacious clean room. Great kitchen area. It was wonderfully comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

6/10 Okay

Nicholas

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Good price, basic accommodation but property looking a bit tired but good value for money and excellent location.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026

2/10 Terrible

Annie

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Insalubre. Inhabitable. C'est sale et très mal entretenu. Oui, il y a 2 cuisines mais les ronds de cuisson fonctionnent à moitié, poêle et casseroles en mauvais état. Ça sent le vieux gras. Les matelas trop mous et les couvertures de lit du siècle dernier. Le réceptionniste est gentil mais, le pauvre, que peut-il faire.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

6/10 Okay

Anita

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Not clean enough
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026

2/10 Terrible

Saranya

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rani

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was so quiet and I was able to get a good rest. Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dominic

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Accommodating Staff; Good Value for Money
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Jane

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed in “Deluxe” private room - basically an old motel room, but had microwave, coffee machine, toaster, kitchenette. Manager very helpful, said every guest has towels & sheets provided (info on website was wrong) Not providing free breakfast or soup as stated on website, but Chateau is close to great cafes & bars. Washing machine & dryer worked well - place needs a fix up & paint.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Annemarie

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

ELAINE S

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Well priced basic room in good location.

The place is reasonably priced. Bed was comfortable, room was generally clean but fairly rundown. The manager is a very pleasant knowledgeable man who is ver welcoming and vested in giving guests valuable information about hiking, points of interest etc., the shared kitchen facilities were well-equipped and provided everything you would need to prepare a meal.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Lawrence

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Whilst Chris who runs the accommodation is a nice, friendly guy, the whole property is in desperate need of some TLC and a good clean from top to bottom.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Emily

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort

Adequate budget accommodation

This place was adequate for our two-night stay. Strong backpacker vibe, with free breakfast (waffles, cereal, toast) and evening soup. Helpful staff. The location was great. The room itself was dated and pretty small. I'd say this is a case of you get what you pay for. It was very affordable and great if you're looking to connect with other travelers, but I think I would personally spring for a place a bit more modern with more amenities next time.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gordon

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Had everything we needed
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Mrinali

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service
I liked that there was free hot soup in the evenings and a free breakfast. We arrived an hour early but weren't allowed to check-in. Also the rooms were not clean, there were bed bugs, the hot water tap wasn't functional and there were spiders in the room. I probably would look for a cleaner accomodation next time.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Callum

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Really good size private room with comfortable bed which also had a mini fridge and little sofa. Decent bathroom. Staff were friendly and helpful. Free parking on site. Two good size kitchens and plenty of communal space but no atmosphere really so not great for solo travellers. Would not recommend using the hot tub - was filthy. Disappointed with laundry facilities - washing machine didn’t drain properly leaving my clothes soaking, dryer did not dry fully, and one of my T-shirts was stolen from the clothesline.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

LONG

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Malcolm, Auckland

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It was we expected from previous reviews. The motel room was smaller than expected. There were no places to hang clothes
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

shani

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
everything was great! nice and comfortable room. from the room you can see the mountain. kitchen have all you need for cooking. breakfast was nice and simple - crepe, tost with butter and jam, and cornflaks. The place close to resturants. the guy that work in the reception was super nice and helpful. thanks
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great spot to stay in Franz Josef.

We booked an ensuite room for 2 nights and it was perhaps the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on. Chris, the manager, was friendly and helpful, making soup every night which was free for the guests, as was the breakfast of waffles, pancakes, yoghurt, toast and cereals. Great place to stay and great value.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Matt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a nice hostel with friendly staff. Some younger people stayed up past the quiet time, drank and partied. The electric socket made some noise next to my bed. Other than that no complaints. Cheap with free breakfast and soup for dinner.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cherith

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Brilliant place to stay, right under the mountain. Free soup and amazing free breakfast every morning. Lovely atmosphere all handled by the superstar owner/manager/bed maker, Chris. We loved it.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023