Dorset House Backpackers

New - Free WiFi access for all guests. Just ask at reception for your voucher.

Steeped in history and situated next to beautiful Hagley Park, Dorset House Christchurch Backpacker Hostel is relaxing, spacious and elegant, and is well-equipped with all that a budget traveller could need.

Recently refurbished, without losing its essential character, Dorset House is a unique and peaceful environment from which to enjoy all that Christchurch has to offer. Set among beautiful gardens, Dorset House is still steeped in the character of the early Christchurch pioneers. Built in 1871 as the home for the wealthy timber merchant, J B Way, it once featured 27 rooms and three Italian marble fireplaces. It has been lovingly maintained, and is a slice of Christchurch’s past that we are proud to share with our guests.


Our rooms are comfortable, freshly cleaned, and bathed in afternoon sun. All rooms are within 3-7 metres of a bathroom. Dorset House has recently been upgraded and redecorated to cater for travellers who wish to experience up-market facilities at budget prices. There are no bunk beds here – all beds are fully made with fresh linen. Extra blankets and electric blankets are fitted onto every bed to keep you warm in the colder months. We have a sunny, spotlessly clean kitchen available for guest use, and there’s a full laundry here too. Free WiFi access for all guests.

The lounge - otherwise known as the ‘Old Chapel’ - is a very large room with plenty of comfortable couches and is a great space for relaxing and talking. Facilities included a free pool table, various board games and jigsaws, TV, DVD player (a selection of DVDs are available) Cable TV, a variety of books for exchange and a stereo. There are computers for guest use - offering internet access, word processing, spreadsheets, printing, SKYPE, USB ports and CD burning functions. WiFi is available if you have your own laptop.

Dorset House offers a full travel and information desk – just ask at reception and let us organise your tours, day trips and onward travel. There’s no charge for this, and if you’re not sure where to go or what to do – ask our staff, they’re locals and can clue you in on some hidden gems.

From Dorset House, it’s just a 15-minute stroll to Cathedral Square, the centre of Christchurch; or walk along beside the river to reach other city attractions such as the Botanic Gardens, museum, the popular Arts Centre, local art galleries, busy weekend markets and art-house cinemas.

Continental breakfast packs can be purchased at reception, and we are just two-minutes from some great cafes, bars and restaurants on Victoria St. There’s plenty of options here, and fabulous coffee too (we may even point you to our favourite bakery!). Public transport is close too – just five minutes walk to the airport bus service, or eight minutes to the free shopper’s bus service that runs throughout the central city all day.

Late check-ins can be organised, and free luggage storage is available. We have a custom-built lock-up to keep your bike or skis safe, and free off-street car-parking is available behind the House.

Dorset House is ideally situated to provide a comfortable stay for budget travellers. We hope to see you here soon!

Directions

General Location: Dorset Street is found in the northern end of the central city, located between Park Avenue and Victoria St. It is directly next to Hagley Park, and is one block below Bealey Avenue.

From airport: Catch the City Flyer bus between 6.35am and 12.55am, weekdays. Weekend hours: Saturday, 8.10am - 12.55am. Sunday, 8.40am - 12.55am. The cost of this bus service is $7 per adult, and services run approximately every half hour. Ask the driver to let you off at the corner of Park Terrace and Peterborough Sts. Walk back the way you have come, 3 blocks to Dorset St (5 minutes walk).

Outside the City Flyer hours, you may choose to catch a direct shuttle. This will cost approximately $17 per person, and will drop you to our door.

$5 bus - a discount shuttle service runs at 20 minute intervals during the day until about 11pm. The $5 bus will drop you in Cathedral Square. Walk back towards Victoria St to Dorset St (approximately 15 - 20 minutes walk).

Taxi - the cost of a taxi from the airport to Dorset House will be approximately $30-$35.

From the train station: Catch a shuttle service ($5-7), or taxi ($10-15) from the train station.

There is a free station-operated shuttle service in the mornings to take guests to catch their trains. Ask at reception for shuttle times.

Facilities

Internet Access, Airport Pick Up, Linen Included, Towels, Luggage Storage, Guest Kitchen, Telephone/Fax Facilities, Travel Desk/Travel Info, Common Room, Bike Parking, Free Carpark, Breakfast Not Included, WiFi in lobby, Web access in lobby, WiFi in room, Breakfast